Dr. Ioannis Konidakis is an Associate Researcher at the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL) of the Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH). I. Konidakis was born in Crete, Greece, in 1980. He has a B.Sc. Honours degree in Chemistry from the University of Aberdeen in UK (2002). He received his Ph.D. degree in Chemistry from the same University in 2006. After spending one year for military service (obligatory in Greece), from June 2008 to August 2011 he has been a Post-doctoral fellow at the Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute (TPCI) of the National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF). He joined the IESL of FORTH in September 2011. During his first IESL appointment until April 2016, he was involved in research on the field of micro-structured optical fibers. In his present IESL research appointment he is part of the Ultrafast Laser Micro- and Nano-Processing (ULMNP) Laboratory that runs under the supervision of the Director of Research Dr. E. Stratakis. He leads the subgroup of Lasers in Optoelectronics within ULMNP Laboratory that consists of post-docs, post-graduate students, and undergraduate students. His current research interests are focused on the synthesis and laser diagnostics of composite glasses and energy harvesting materials for advanced photonic, optoelectronic, thermoelectric, and photovoltaic applications. I. Konidakis is a main Researcher in the European Projects “InComEss” (H2020, LC-NMBP-32-2019, 42 months, 258K €), and “APPROACH” (HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-TALENTS-03-01, 42 months, 833K €). In addition, his expertise on the development of advanced composite glasses lead to the successful evaluation of his Glas-A-Fuels proposal (HORIZON-EIC-2023-PATHFINDEROPEN-01-01, 42 months, 800K €). From 2011 to 2017 he was appointed a part-time Lecturer at the Department of Materials Science and Technology of the University of Crete. He is the main author and co-author of several research articles including one in Nature Nanotechnology, a review paper, and the author of a book chapter.

Education

• 2006- Ph. D., “Activation volumes and ion transport mechanisms in glasses and polymers” - Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, UK.
• 2002-Bachelor, Honours in Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, UK.

Career

• 5/2016 - Today, Post-doctoral Researcher, Ultrafast Laser Micro- and Nano-Processing (ULMNP) Laboratory, Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
• 9/2011 - 9/2017: Part-time Lecturer, Department of Materials Science and Technology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
• 9/2011 - 4/2016, Post-doctoral Researcher, Photonic Materials and Devices Laboratory (PMDL), Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
• 6/2008 – 8/2011, Post-doctoral Researcher, Theoretical and Physical Chemistry Institute (TPCI), National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF), Athens, Greece.

Interests

• Development, laser-assisted synthesis and characterization of composite glasses and perovskites for advanced photonic and photovoltaic applications.
• Time resolved femtosecond laser Transient Absorption Spectroscopy in nanocatalysts, photovoltaic, thermoelectric, and optoelectronic materials.
• Non-linear optical properties of oxide glasses and crystals.
• Growth of glassy and crystalline materials inside photonic crystal fibers (PCFs), towards sensing, switching, opto-fluidic and photonic bandgap applications.
• Structure-properties correlation of inorganic oxide glasses.
• Physical chemistry of glasses and polymers - Ion transport and conductivity mechanisms.
• Investigation of ion dynamics in glasses and polymers - Impedance spectroscopy (IS) under Variable Pressure - Variable Temperature (VPVT) conditions.
• Thermal and mechanical properties of glasses and polymers (DSC, DTA, TGA).

Awards/Prizes/Distinctions

• 2023: Successful evaluation of Glas-A-Fuels (GA 101130717), HORIZON-EIC-2023-PATHFINDEROPEN-01-01 proposal.
• 2022, Co-author of paper in Nature Nanotechnology.
• 2014-IKY Fellowship of Excellence for Post-graduate Research in Greece - Siemens Program, awarded from the State Scholarships Foundation (IKY), (24 months, 39K €).
• 2002-Ph.D. Studentship, awarded from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC, UK).
• 2000-COUTTS PRIZE, awarded from the Department of Chemistry for excellent performance in level 2 Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, UK.

Olga Kokkinaki received her Ph.D. on the dynamics of phase transitions in the UV laser irradiation of molecular solids from the University of Crete in 2009. Since then, she has been working as a post-doctoral fellow at the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser of Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (IESL-FORTH) in the field of laser diagnostics of polymers and cultural heritage materials. Her research activity focuses on the optimization of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy methodologies for industrial and environmental applications and, currently, on the design and implementation of laser-induced fluorescence schemes for evaluating/ monitoring laser cleaning processes of artworks. She has been involved in a number of research projects resulting in several publications in international journals and participation in conferences.

Education

• 2009, PhD, Physical Chemistry, Univ. of Crete, Greece
• 2004, MsC, Optoelectronics-Microelectronics, Univ. of Crete, Greece
• 2002, BSc, Physics , Univ. of Crete, Greece

Career

• 2009-today , Post-doctoral researcher, IESL-FORTH

Interests

• Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
• Laser-induced Fluorescence
• Pump-Probe laser schemes
• Remote analysis
• Laser ablation mechanisms of molecular solids
• Analysis of cultural heritage materials and monitoring their interaction with lasers

Argyro Klini is a Principal Application Scientist at IESL-FORTH. Her research activity focuses on the fabrication of nanostructures for optical sensing applications. She holds a BSc in Physics, a MSc in Applied Molecular Spectroscopy and a PhD in Physical Chemistry from University of Crete, Greece.

Her research expertize and interests concentrate on the synthesis of novel materials - thin films, nanostructures, micropatterned structures- for optical, optoelectronic, microelectronics applications, by employing laser based deposition techniques, such as Pulsed laser Deposition (PLD) and Laser Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT). Particular emphasis is given on the spectroscopic study of the optical properties (Photoluminescence) of nanostructured semiconducting materials and their exploitation in opto-sensing applications.

She has coordinated a number of bilateral projects and has participated in several EU funded research projects and IESL-FORTH internal projects, in the field of material processing and thin film growth. Her research has produced more than 50 publications in international peer reviewed journals and conference proceedings and 1 Greek patent.

Education

• 2013, PhD in Physical Chemistry, Chemistry Dept., University of Crete, Greece
• 2004, MSc in Applied Molecular Spectroscopy, Chemistry Dept., University of Crete, Greece
• 1991, BSc in Physics, Physics Dept., University of Crete, Greece

Career

• 01/04/2017-today, Principal Application Scientist (Grade B’), IESL-FORTH
• 01/01/2000-31/03/2017, Research Scientist (open-ended contract), IESL-FORTH
• 01/06/2005-31/08/2005, Visiting Research Scientist, Laurence Berkeley National Laboratory, USA
• 01/01/1994-31/01/1999, Association for Research Technology and Training-FORTH

Interests

• Laser based material fabrication and structuring
• Laser spectroscopy for opto-sensing applications

Dr. George Kenanakis is a principal Researcher at IESL-FORTH, where he joined at 2006. His main research interests range between applied physics and electromagnetism (focused in the electromagnetic wave propagation in composite media, with emphasis on metamaterials, photonic crystals and plasmonic structures), to chemical synthesis of metal oxide thin films and nanostructures (emphasized in the photocatalysis of organic pollutants in liquid and gas phase).

He has a strong experience in the analysis of thin films, nanostructures and metamaterials’ samples by means of microwave and FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy with emphasis on catalysis studies, dehydration kinetics, and in-situ measurements, along with electromagnetic shielding, energy harvesting, etc.

For the last years his research efforts are focused on 3D printing/additive manufacturing of polymeric nanostructures with multifunction properties, such as 3D printed circuits and electronics (a), Energy harvesting prototypes, using existing EM radiation (e.g. GSM, FM, WiFi) (b), 3D printed flexible electrodes for batteries (c), Large scale 3D photocatalytic/self-cleaning filters and devices (d), Industrial scale thermoelectric devices, for potential applications in random access memory devices (e), etc.

Education

• 2011 Ph.D., University of Crete, Faculty of Sciences, Chemistry department. “Synthesis of ZnO and TiO2 thin films and nanostructures using chemical techniques and study of their photocatalytic properties”.
• 2007 M.Sc., University of Crete, Faculty of Sciences, Chemistry department. “Synthesis of ZnO nanostructures using aqueous solutions and study of their ozone sensing properties”
• 2003 B. Eng. (Chem.) & M.Sc.Eng. (Chem.), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Engineering, Chemical Engineering department. “The use of industrial minerals as soil enhancers in acidic soils”.

Career

• Self employed chemical engineer from 30/10/2003 to 10/11/2016.
• Registered chemical engineer in Prefecture of Lasithi's records since 17/09/2004.
• Registered engineer in Greek Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate change (ID No. 22384) since 01/06/2010.
• Advanced auditor in Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001) of TUV HELLAS since 20/12/04.
• Advanced auditor in Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001) of EUROCERT since 10/07/05.
• Collaborating Researcher in Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH) - Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), 01/01/06 - 03/11/16.
• Assistant Researcher (Researcher C’) in Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH) - Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), in the field of “Photonic metamaterials and devices”, 04/11/16 - 02/12/20.
• Associated Researcher in Center of Materials Science and Photonics of School of Applied Technology, Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU), former Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Crete, since 01/09/06.
• Accredited instructor registered in Hellenic Food Authority of Greek Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity (E.F.E.T.); (ID No. 631).
• Accredited instructor registered in Greek National Centre for Public Administration and Local Government (E.K.D.D.A.); (ID No. 9088, Decision No: 4466-21/05/2019)
• Accredited instructor registered in Manpower Agency of Greece (O.A.E.D.); (ID No. 28894).
• Lecturer at Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU), former Technological and Educational Institute (TEI) of Crete from 20/02/06 to 28/02/15.

Interests

• Electromagnetic wave propagation in composite media, with emphasis on metamaterials, photonic crystals, plasmonic structures, and random dielectric and metalodielectric systems.
• Design and simulation of both passive and dynamically controllable chiral metamaterials, as well as electromagnetic characterization of such metamaterials in microwaves and IR
• Realization/calculation of Casimir force between chiral metamaterials.
• Synthesis and study of metal oxide thin films and nanostructures of (ZnO, InOx, WO3, TiO2, SiO2, VO2) emphasized in: (a) photocatalysis of organic pollutants in liquid and gas phase, (b) growth of novel metal oxide coatings with self-cleaning properties
• 3D printing/additive manufacturing of polymeric nanostructures with multifunction properties: (a) 3D printed circuits and electronics, (b) Energy harvesting prototypes, using existing EM radiation (e.g. GSM, FM, WiFi), (c) 3D printed flexible electrode

Awards/Prizes/Distinctions

• Cover of ACS Photonics Journal, Volume 6 (Number 3), March 2019: “Experimental Demonstration of Ultrafast THz Modulation in a Graphene-Based Thin Film Absorber through Negative Photoinduced Conductivity”.
• Cover of LaserLab-Europe Newsletter, Issue 24, December 2017: “Laser-made 3D zinc oxide nanostructures”.
• Cover of Materials Today journal, December 2016: “ZnO grown on 3D structures”.
• Member of project team “Extending electromagnetism through novel artificial materials - EXEL” which was awarded from the European Union with the “DESCARTES” Prize for Research Laureates for its innovative scientific work in left-handed meta-materials in D

Education

• 2000, B.Sc. Physics, University of Athens, Physics Department, Greece
• 2006, M.Sc. Physics, University of Crete, Physics Department, Greece
• 2010, Ph.D. Physics, University of Crete, Physics Department, Greece

Interests

• Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Laser spectroscopy and polarimetry
• Lab automation (LabView, Arduino, etc.)
• Theoretical/computational physics simulations (Mathematica, Python, Comsol, etc.)
• Physical systems modeling and design (Autodesk Inventor and CAD, Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator, Comsol)

Awards/Prizes/Distinctions

• University of Crete Summer school in Physics, 2002, 1st place
• Maria Michail Manasaki Scholarship
• IKY Scholarship
• HFRI (ELIDEK) Post-doc Fellowship grant, 2018 - 2021

Maria Kaliva is currently a Post-doctoral Fellow in the Department of Materials Science and Technology of the University of Crete and a member of the Hybrid Nanostructures Group of the of the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology.

Education

• 2004 PhD in Bioinorganic chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Greece
• 2002 MSc in Inorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Greece
• 2000 Bachelor in Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Crete, Greece

Interests

• Design and synthesis of functional and responsive polymers of various architectures (linear, star, graft, cyclic, etc)
• Synthesis of smart biodegradable polymers
• Modification of natural polymers
• Polymers for biomedical (drug delivery and tissue engineering) applications
• Smart polymer coatings and active packaging
• Porous materials for gas capture and catalysis

Awards/Prizes/Distinctions

• 2010 Best Poster Award in Polymer Chemistry, 8th Hellenic Polymer Society Symposium
• 2007 - Best oral presentation award in the XXIII Panhellenic Conference on Solid State Physics & Materials Science

Dr George Filippidis is a Senior Staff Scientist at IESL-FORTH in charge of the non-linear microscopy (NLM) group. He received his B.Sc. degree from the Physics Department of the University of Crete in 1995 and his Doctorate degree from the Medical School of the same University in 2000. He performed his post doctoral studies at IESL-FORTH. His research group activities include the in vivo elucidation of molecular mechanisms and biological processes by employing various spectroscopic techniques with emphasis on advanced microscopic modalities, optical characterization of tissue, nanosurgery and the implementation of non-linear image contrast modalities (MPEF, SHG, PSHG, THG) as novel diagnostic tools for Cultural Heritage studies. He has published 70 articles in international peer-reviewed journals, 31 full-length articles in edited peer-reviewed volumes, 28 conference proceedings and 3 book chapters (Web of Science, h index 23). He was co supervisor in 3 PhD, 8 masters and 10 diploma theses from the Physics Department of the University of Crete and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He is co-author in 1 patent. He has given 3 invited talks in international conferences, a plenary talk and an invited internet lecture at Max-Born Institute.

Education

• 2000 Ph.D. in Biophysics, University of Crete
• 1995 B.Sc. in Physics, University of Crete

Career

• 11/2022 - present Senior Staff Scientist (ELE A) at I.E.S.L. - F.O.R.T.H.
• 4/2017 -10/2022 Principal Staff Scientist (ELE Β) at I.E.S.L. - F.O.R.T.H.
• 1/2007 – 3/2017 Research Scientist (permanent position) and Group Leader, Non Linear Microscopy Lab, I.E.S.L. - F.O.R.T.H.
• 1/2002 – 12/2006 Research Associate at I.E.S.L. – F.O.R.T.H.
• 3/2000-12/2001 Compulsory National Service (petty officer Greek Navy)
• 6/1996 – 3/2000 Laboratory Assistant, Biomedical Applications Group, I.E.S.L. FO.R.T.H.

Interests

• Biophotonics
• imaging
• microscopy
• spectroscopy

Aggelos Philippidis received his Doctorate degree from Chemistry Department, University of Crete, Greece, in 2009. His thesis was on the study of molecular compounds metal-chalcogenides: Synthesis, Characterization and study of their solution chemistry. He received his master degree from the same department, in 2003. At that period he has investigated the geographical and botanical classification of Greek extra virgin olive oil by NMR spectroscopy and chemometrics. He received his B.Sc. degree from the same department, in 2001. He is currently performing his post-doctoral studies at IESL-FORTH Crete, Greece. During his post-doctoral research he has focused on the development of a prototype Raman system for the analysis of art works and cultural heritage objects. He has long experience on the use of spectroscopic methods (Raman/SERS, FT-IR, Fluorescence spectroscopies) coupled to chemometrics tools, in relation to analysis of heritage materials and food products (wine, olive oil etc). He has published 43 articles in international refereed journals with more than 1370 citations and h-index 18 (Google Scholar). He has also 29 presentations in international conferences and he has actively participated in a number of national and international research funding projects. He has also teaching experience, as teaching personnel at Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, Univ. of Crete, 2018-2020 and at Biomedical Engineering MSc Program, Univ. of Crete, Technical University of Crete, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, 2020-2022.

Education

• 2009, PhD, Chemistry Department, Univ. of Crete, Greece
• 2003, MSc. Chemistry Department, Univ. of Crete, Greece
• 1996, BSc, Chemistry Department, Univ. of Crete, Greece

Career

• 2009-today, Post-doctoral researcher, IESL-FORTH

Interests

• Spectroscopic analytical methods in the field of culture heritage and agro-foods.
• Methodology and instrumentation Raman micro-spectroscopy.
• Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)
• Development of portable Raman spectrometer