People

Research topics

Our research activities are focused on surface science studies relevant to applications ranging from corrosion to nanotechnology. In particular we are internationally renowned for our scientific expertise in electron spectroscopy. 

Currently we investigate artificial photosynthesis, where solar energy is converted into chemical energy through two photocatalytic charge transfer reactions: water dissociation into hydrogen and oxygen and carbon dioxide reduction into CO and hydrocarbons.  

We are also investigating the molecular processes of atomic layer deposition (ALD) and how the ALD growth mechanism can be adjusted to control the thin film properties when the thin films are utilized in photonic materials and semiconductor nanomaterials. 

We are using synchrotron light mediated research methods in all our projects. In particular, we have unique access to MAX IV Laboratory , which is one of the newest and the brightest synchrotron radiation facilities in the world. Our unique access stems from our significant investments and long-term collaborative effort with Senior Scientist Mika Hirsimäki and MAX IV on designing and building a new beamline FinEstBeaMS at MAX IV. 

Research unit

https://research.tuni.fi/surfsci/

Research career

Professor of Physics, Tampere University, 2019 –   

Professor of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, 2005 – 2018. 

Teaching Instructor, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, 2011 –  

Academy Research Fellow, Academy of Finland, 1999 – 2004.

Lecturer of Physics, TUT, 1999 – 2004. 

Postdoctoral Scholar, Texas A&M University, USA, 1997 – 1998.

About me

Post-Doctoral Research Scientist: Dr. Ankit Mishra completed his Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2023 from the CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum, specializing in the synthesis, characterization, and application of catalytic materials for renewable fuel production. His doctoral research focused on photo- and electrocatalysis, particularly CO₂ reduction and water-splitting reactions. During his thesis work, he also explored thermo-catalysis for preparing bio-derived jet fuel (from non-edible oils). Currently, his research is centered on photocatalyst design and their application for artificial photosynthesis. Dr. Mishra has an h-index of 7, with over 92 citations, reflecting his contributions to the field of sustainable energy and catalysis.

About me

Senior Scientist of research infrastructures and Postdoc in Experimental Surface Science at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, specialized in Ultrahigh Vacuum Systems, Electron Spectroscopy, Spectromicroscopy, Atomic Layer Deposition, and Surface Studies utilizing Synchrotron Radiation.

Responsibilities

Working in university research projects

• Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
• Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences

Measurement, analysis, and R&D services for companies, universities, and organizations

• Surface analysis and chemical composition mapping
• X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
• Spectromicroscopy
• Atomic Layer Deposition

Development, maintenance, and user training of Research Infrastructures at Photonics Laboratory, that are included in FIRI (Academy of Finland's National Finnish Research Infrastructures) and FinnLight (Finnish National Infrastructure for Light-Based Technologies)  

Material Characterization of Physics 

• Modular Ultrahigh Vacuum Systems for in-situ sample preparation and surface analysis
• Scienta Omicron NanoESCA Spectromicroscope for imaging PEEM, XPS, UPS
• Scienta Omicron Argus Electron Spectrometer for imaging and selected area XPS
• VG Scientific ESCA3000 Electron Spectrometer for conventional XPS
• RHK UHV 300 Variable Temperature Scanning Tunneling Microscope
• Attension Theta Optical Tensiometer for contact angle measurement

Photonic Materials 

• Picosun Sunale R200 Advanced Atomic Layer Deposition Reactor
• Focus EFM-3T Evaporator for physical vapour deposition
• Focus EFM H Atomic Hydrogen Source for cleaning, reduction, etching, and passivation
• Henniker HPT-100 Plasma Surface Treater for surface activation, cleaning, oxidation, and modification
• Carbolite Gero Tube Furnace for annealing in air and nitrogen
• Sample preparation and surface modification methods in UHV/HV/plasma/liquid: Radiative and Electron Beam Annealing, Evaporation, Electrospraying, Oxidation, Reduction, Gas exposures
• Scienta Omicron ISE 5 Cold Cathode Ion Sputter Source for Ar+ ion sputtering, N2 activated ion bombardment, surface cleaning, bulk cleaning when combined with UHV annealing induced segregation of impurities
• Creekside Technologies Rastering Ion Bombardment Gun for XPS depth profiling
• Generation of Ultra High Vacuum for special purposes using Turbomolecular, Ion, and Titanium Sublimation Pumps

Photonics Measurement and Testing 

• Asahi Spectra MAX-350 UV-VIS Xenon Light Source and CMS-100 Monochromator
• Asahi Spectra HAL-C100 Solar Simulator
• Autolab PGSTAT12 and PGSTAT204 Electrochemical Instruments
• Electrochemical Cells
• Thermo Scientific Trace 1310 Gas Chromatograph

Research unit

Physics

Research fields

Physics and Surface Science

• Surfaces and Interfaces
• Thin Films
• Instrumentation
• Analysis Techniques
• Synchrotron Radiation
• Material Characterization
• Chemical Composition Mapping
• Surface States
• Oxidation and Reduction
• Diffusion
• Reconstruction
• Crystallization
• Nanostructures
• Surface Modification and Functionalization

Photonics

• Photonic Materials
• Artificial Photosynthesis
• Photoactive Nanostructured Materials

Materials Science and Technology

• Functional Materials
• Semiconductors
• Metals
• Alloys
• Coatings

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

• Surface Structures
• Nanoparticles

Energy Engineering

• Fuel Cells
• Solar Energy
• Renewable Energy

Chemical Engineering

• Catalysis

About me

I am a Senior Scientist in the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences. I am an Adjunct Professor in Materials Physics and my field of research is the investigation of physicochemical phenomena at surfaces and interfaces, and functionalization of surfaces. 

Responsibilities

National research infrastructure: MAX IV Laboratory

My core task as a Senior Scientist is to facilitate the utilization of MAX IV Laboratory (MAX IV) in the research conducted at Tampere University. MAX IV is a synchrotron light source and it is on the Roadmap for Finnish Research Infrastructures. It is located in Lund, Sweden, and operated by the Lund University. The state-of-the-art experimental methods MAX IV offers for materials research are not available in Finland. Using synchrotron light in materials research has applications in a multitude of fields: e.g. photonics, materials for renewable energy, bio- and nanomaterials, and biomedical materials.  

Research time at MAX IV is highly competed for and available via application process. Research time is granted based on the scientific merits of proposals. Finland is committed both financially and politically to supporting MAX IV. In return for the Finnish investments in MAX IV, Finnish researchers have access to national research time at MAX IV in addition to the time granted via general beamtime calls. On a national level, the collaboration with MAX IV is coordinated by the FIMAX-consortium .

My responsibility is to use my expertise and network of experts (e.g. Prof. Mika Valden's group) to work with the research groups at Tampere University and find out how MAX IV can advance their research, successfully compete for research time, co-author successful grant applications on topics utilizing MAX IV, and use the state-of-the-art facilities at MAX IV to produce top-tier science. My goal is to facilitate efficient use of MAX IV's advanced methods and thereby help to increase the future impact of our research and success of our funding applications.

Developing MAX IV research infrastructure

Via Prof. Mika Valden's Surface Science Laboratory, Tampere University is a member of a Finnish-Estonian FIRI-consortium that designed and implemented an entire new MAX IV beamline (FinEstBeaMS) for materials research. Tampere is responsible for implementing a FinEstBeaMS research station for studying surfaces and interfaces of solid state matter, and my responsibility is to coordinate the effort. At present, the research station is being commissioned and the goal is to get it open for users in 2021. 

Providing scientific expertise

In addition to the aforementioned responsibilities, I work as a scientific expert for international research funding institutions and conduct my own original research. 

Field of expertise

Research

I have over 20 years of experience in the experimental research of physicochemical phenomena at surfaces and interfaces. My specialty is the use of synchrotron light mediated photoelectron spectroscopy for elucidating the composition, electronic structure, morphology and reactive properties of solid state surfaces. 

Education

2007-2011 Lecturer in Physics: I was responsible for operating and developing the Physics Department's teaching laboratory. I also lectured a solid state physics course. 

1994-2007 Teacher (Physics): I was the lecturer on several fundamental physics courses and surface science courses. 

I have supervised three M.Sc. Theses and I am currently a second supervisor for a PhD thesis. 

Research topics

Synchrotron, synchrotron radiation, synchrotron light, MAX, MAX IV, surface science, nanomaterials, materials research, physics, chemical physics.