Winner: 2023 Centenary Prize
Mercouri Kanatzidis
Northwestern University
For pioneering contributions to the synthesis and development of novel semiconducting halide perovskites for application in solar energy conversion, and for excellence in communication.
Mercouri Kanatzidis and his team have made a remarkable discovery in the field of solar energy. They have developed a new type of solar cell using a material called perovskite, which has the potential to make solar power more affordable and efficient. This breakthrough has paved the way for the development of a new generation of solar cells that promise to generate more sustainable electricity from the sun. Professor Kanatzidis is a chemist who has played a vital role in advancing our understanding of perovskite materials and how they can be used in solar cells. His work has helped to usher in a new era in solar energy conversion, with perovskites becoming a game-changer in the field. By understanding how to use these materials, we can now create new electronic devices and detectors that can harness the power of the sun.
Biography
Professor Mercouri Kanatzidis is a distinguished scientist and educator with a prolific career spanning over three decades. He is a Charles E and Emma H Morrison Chair Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University, where he has been leading cutting-edge research and mentoring future scientists since 2006. Prior to joining Northwestern, Mercouri was a Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University, where he made significant contributions to the field of inorganic chemistry. Throughout his career, Mercouri has made ground-breaking discoveries and developed materials that have been instrumental in advancing alternative energy technologies. His work has focused on improving thermoelectric materials for waste heat recovery, which can help to reduce energy waste and lower carbon emissions. With his team, he has also developed the first solid-state solar cell device using a film of tin iodide perovskite in a solid-state dye-sensitised cell, achieving an efficiency of around 10%. This discovery has paved the way for the development of more efficient and stable solar cells. Mercouri is a highly cited researcher in chemistry, with over 1,450 published manuscripts and more than 45 patents to his name. He has also mentored over 90 PhD students and nearly 120 postdoctoral fellows, helping to shape the next generation of scientists and engineers. Born in Greece, Mercouri received his BS degree from Aristotle University and his PhD from the University of Iowa. His work exemplifies the power of scientific innovation and collaboration to address pressing global challenges, such as climate change and energy sustainability. His dedication to advancing alternative energy technologies and improving our understanding of materials science has made him a leading figure in his field and an inspiration to many aspiring scientists and researchers.
Q&A with Professor Mercouri Kanatzidis
Tell us about somebody who has inspired or mentored you in your career.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have had not just one, but two exceptional mentors who have shaped my career and helped me become the scientist I am today. My first mentor was Professor Dimitri Coucouvanis at the University of Michigan, who guided me through my PhD research on the development of new molecular iron sulfur clusters. Her passion for curiosity-driven research was truly contagious, and I am grateful for the foundation she provided me with.My second mentor, Professor Tobin Marks of Northwestern University, was my postdoctoral advisor and, under his guidance, I learned how to think like a materials chemist. Professor Marks is a preeminent scholar and a polymath who has made significant contributions to many important fields of chemistry. I am humbled to have learned from such a distinguished mentor, and I carry his teachings with me every day. The invaluable mentorship of these two exceptional scientists has had a profound impact on my career and, for that, I am forever grateful. What motivates you? This is a great question. Almost a loaded question. I am motivated by the passion for discovery and the eye openings and enlightenment that occur when it happens. There is something truly exhilarating about the moment when a new insight or breakthrough occurs, and the sudden flood of new ideas and possibilities that it can inspire. This then leads to an energised imagination about the possible implications of learning from the discovery on how it affects the current thinking in a particular field or the impact on other fields and on society.What advice would you give to a young person consiering a career in chemistry? Many students may believe that all the major discoveries have already been made, but this couldn't be further from the truth. This is totally incorrect. Chemistry is a field of infinite possibilities. Nature gave us a set of numerous, wonderful, and diverse elements that define all the objects in the universe. Everything is made of something! Therefore it is a great area to continue making discoveries with profound implications.What has been a highlight for you (either personally or in your career)? There were many highlights but I must choose one: Landing a job as an assistant professor at Michigan State University in 1987 was definitely a highlight of my career. It was a dream come true for me and I felt incredibly grateful for the opportunity. I vividly remember the moment I received the news and the excitement and disbelief that followed. I could not believe it.
Being able to start my career as a professor was not only a personal achievement but also a professional milestone that allowed me to pursue my passion for teaching and research.
It provided me with a platform to contribute to the field of chemistry and make meaningful contributions that could benefit society.
Since then, I have had the privilege of working with brilliant colleagues and students, conducting ground-breaking research, and making discoveries that have the potential to transform the field of chemistry.
However, the moment of being hired as an assistant professor remains a special memory that reminds me of the importance of hard work, perseverance, and believing in oneself. It was a defining moment in my career and I am forever grateful for it.What does good research culture look like/mean to you? To me, a good research culture is all about creating an environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and risk-taking. It's important for everyone in the lab to feel welcome and included, regardless of their background or level of experience. This means encouraging freedom of thought and encouraging researchers to explore new ideas, even if they seem unconventional or risky. At the same time, it's crucial for researchers to work together and support one another. Collaboration between graduate students, postdocs, and other scholars in the lab can create synergies and lead to breakthrough discoveries that would be difficult to achieve working alone. Sharing knowledge, expertise, and resources is key to advancing scientific understanding and achieving research goals.
In a good research culture, there should also be a strong emphasis on communication and transparency.
Researchers should feel comfortable sharing their ideas and progress with others in the lab, and constructive feedback should be encouraged. Overall, a good research culture is one that values creativity, collaboration, and open communication.