Tuesday 16 June 2026 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry Unilever Lecture Theatre
About
This talk introduces novel approaches of expanding the well-known superior nanoscale resolution of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) of sample surface to the third dimension using the nanomechanical mapping using nm range nanoscale vibrations on the ms to ns time scales.
In particular, we can reveal the 3D structure of surface electrolyte interphase (SEI), the nanoscale-thin very important layer defining the performance and longevity of the batteries, and quantify the 3D nanomechanical of SEI. By combining SPM with higher frequency excitations, we can both access the subsurface properties of stiff materials and access the time dynamics of the physical processes on the variable time scales.
The examples of applications to the electrochemical systems, electronic materials, and 2D materials are presented, and the prospects and future developments of the field are discussed.
BIOGRAPHY
Oleg Kolosov, is Professor of Nanoscience at Physics Department of Lancaster University, has 179 (WoK) refereed papers and has h-index 34/45 (WoK/Google Scholar), is inventor on 31 patents, was PI and CI on major EPSRC and EU grants, and served as a Chair of the Atomic Force and Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) section of the Royal Microscopical Society.
His research focuses on the nanoscale exploration of physical properties of materials on the time scales ranging from milliseconds to picoseconds in applications to energy storage, 2D materials, polymers and semiconductors.
His inventions include Ultrasonic and Heterodyne Force Microscopies, Immersion Scanning Thermal Microscopy, Scanning Thermal Gate Microscopy, Geometric Thermoelectricity and approaches for high throughput discovery of materials. He is the winner of Metrology for World Class Manufacturing Award, two Paul Instrument Fund Awards, and 2025 Institute of Physics Tabor Medal for pioneering developments in Scanning Probe Microscopy.
Before Lancaster he conducted research in Japan as a Science and Technology Agency Fellow, held EPSRC Advanced Fellowhip at Oxford University Materials Department, and was a Director of Innovation at Silicon Valley company pioneering combinatorial materials discovery.