MechE Colloquium: Nanophotonic Control of Light-energy Conversion Processes
Event details
| Date | 25.02.2025 |
| Hour | 12:00 › 13:00 |
| Speaker | Prof. Giulia Tagliabue, Laboratory of Nanoscience for Energy Technologies (LNET), Institute of Mechanical Engineering (IGM), School of Engineering (STI), EPFL |
| Location | Online |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
| Event Language | English |
Abstract: By coupling free-space light to nanoscale dimensions, nanophotonics enables the precise delivery of light energy to nanoscale interfaces, revealing unexpected non-equilibrium phenomena and unlocking novel energy conversion pathways. The interaction of light with nanoconfined solids and liquids thus opens exciting opportunities for transformative advances in energy generation, storage, and strategies to reduce energy consumption. In this talk, I will share our research journey at the intersection of nanophotonics and energy, with a focus on clarifying and controlling photothermal, photochemical, and electrokinetic processes in nanomaterials and at nanoscale solid/liquid interfaces. Specifically, I will present key advances in understanding non-equilibrium charge carrier transfer at metal/molecule interfaces towards light-driven control of chemical reactions. I will also introduce water-based solutions for energy generation and discuss the potential of thermonanophotonic design strategies for energy and optical systems. To conclude, I will offer a perspective on the future of nanophotonics in driving sustainable technologies for energy generation, storage, and efficiency.
Biography: Dr. Giulia Tagliabue is a Tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at EPFL. She joined the Engineering faculty in January 2019 and she is the head of the Laboratory of Nanoscience for Energy Technologies (LNET). She obtained her PhD in Mechanical Engineering from ETH Zurich in 2015. From 2015 to 2018 she was a Swiss National Science Foundation Fellow and she carried on her postdoctoral research jointly at Caltech and the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis (JCAP). Dr. Tagliabue is the recipient of the First Prize of the Rising Stars of Light Award 2020, the 2021 Early Career Award in Nanophotonics, the 2023 Zellner Prize in Physical Chemistry, the 2024 Daniela Pucci Prize in Nanophotonics and the 2024 Latsis University Prize EPFL. Her teaching excellence was also recognized with the 2024 EPFL Best Teaching Award. In 2020 she was awarded an Eccellenza Grant from SNSF and in 2022 she received an SNSF Starting Grant. She is member of ACS, Optica and SPIE. Dr. Tagliabue is currently Managing Editor of the journal Nanophotonics (DeGruyter).
Biography: Dr. Giulia Tagliabue is a Tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at EPFL. She joined the Engineering faculty in January 2019 and she is the head of the Laboratory of Nanoscience for Energy Technologies (LNET). She obtained her PhD in Mechanical Engineering from ETH Zurich in 2015. From 2015 to 2018 she was a Swiss National Science Foundation Fellow and she carried on her postdoctoral research jointly at Caltech and the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis (JCAP). Dr. Tagliabue is the recipient of the First Prize of the Rising Stars of Light Award 2020, the 2021 Early Career Award in Nanophotonics, the 2023 Zellner Prize in Physical Chemistry, the 2024 Daniela Pucci Prize in Nanophotonics and the 2024 Latsis University Prize EPFL. Her teaching excellence was also recognized with the 2024 EPFL Best Teaching Award. In 2020 she was awarded an Eccellenza Grant from SNSF and in 2022 she received an SNSF Starting Grant. She is member of ACS, Optica and SPIE. Dr. Tagliabue is currently Managing Editor of the journal Nanophotonics (DeGruyter).
Practical information
- General public
- Free