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

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.

About me

Experimental Surface Scientist at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, specialized in ultrahigh vacuum systems, electron spectroscopy, spectromicroscopy and atomic layer deposition. 

Research unit

Physics

About me

I completed my PhD in physics at Tampere University of Technology, Finland in 2013. After graduation, I visited SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University, California as a postdoctoral scholar. Currently, I hold a research post as Postdoctoral Researcher (Academy of Finland) at Tampere University focusing on research on photonic materials for solar fuel production.

I am an expert in chemical physics specialized in the analysis of surface and interface phenomena on inorganic materials utilizing synchrotron light mediated in situ and operando electron spectroscopy methods. I have a broad interest in chemical reactions involved in corrosion and catalysis.

Field of expertise

Surface analytical research

• Electron spectroscopy and spectromicroscopy (XPS, APXPS, XPEEM, XAS)

• In-situ and operando electron spectroscopy

• Quantitative analysis of surface nano-structures using QUASES(TM) software package 

• Hands-on experience with operation and maintenance of ultra-high vacuum (UVH) systems

Synchrotron light mediated research

• Utilization of soft and hard X-ray beamlines for surface and interface research

• Development of electrochemical reaction cells for APXPS beamlines

• User of MAX IV Laboratory (Sweden), SSRL (California), ALS (California)

Photocatalyst material analysis

• Self-designed (SolidWorks®) homemade EC, PEC and PEFC electrochemical reaction cells

• Electrochemical analysis under solar illumination (PEC, CV, EIS)

• Optical characterization (UV-Vis, PL)

• Structural characterization (XRD, GIXRD, Raman Spectroscopy, SEM)

• Stability and efficiency (ICP-MS, GC)

Fabrication of thin films

• Atomic layer deposition (ALD)

• Electrodeposition

About me

I have completed my graduate degree in Chemical Engineering from National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Pakistan. Then I completed my MS degree in Energy Systems Engineering from Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) , South Korea. After MS, I moved to Norway and earned PhD in Chemical Engineering from Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway in 2021. During my MS and Ph.D., I have worked for the development of inorganic semiconductor-based photocatalysts and their application in photocatalysis.

Field of expertise

Experte in Photocatalysis for:

• H2 generation from water
• CO2 reduction
• Dyes degradation
• N2 fixation

I am also well familiar to numerous catalysts synthesis procedures and their characterizations.

Responsibilities

Inventions.