Tamar Segal-Peretz
3D Insights to Nanoscale Systems
Associate Prof. Tamar Segal-Peretz
The Grand Technion Energy Program is delighted to welcome Associate Prof. Tamar Segal-Peretz, new faculty member at the Department of Chemical Engineering. Her research includes polymer-based functional nanostructures, ranging from self-assembly of polymers to growth of inorganic materials inside polymers. In addition, she utilizes advanced three-dimensional characterization using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) tomography to decipher the 3D structure of various nanoscale systems.
Associate Prof. Segal-Peretz’s focus is on understanding and developing new materials and processes to enable the fabrication of the future’s optical and semiconductor devices as well as separation membranes for purification and water treatment processes.
“Many energy related systems such as renewable energy production and storage devices are based on three dimensional functional nanostructures. By revealing the structure-function correlation of these nanostructures, we can create the knowledge foundation for designing and fabricating improved devices.” says Tamar.
The use of block copolymers enables fabrication of highly ordered nanostructures with small dimensions. We investigate how to create new structures by combining block copolymer self-assembly with inorganic materials and how to utilize these structures in water and energy devices. To succeed in this challenge, we must have a thorough understanding of the processes occurring deep in the layers. “Most of the tools currently available only examine the surface of the material, thus missing important information that is below the surface,” says Associate Prof. Segal-Peretz. “3D mapping of structures using transmission electron microscopy (TEM tomography) is essential for understanding nanoscale processes such as self-assembly and would enhance our ability to fabricate desired functional nanostructures.”
“I am fascinated by our ability as scientists to connect nanoscale phenomena to the macroscopic behavior of renewable energy devices and I enjoy solving these types of problems,” says Tamar. “I feel confident that with the research conducted in GTEP, both in my lab and across the Technion, we will be able to develop better technologies for clean environment.”
Associate Prof. Tamar Segal-Peretz completed all of her degrees at the Technion – after an undergraduate degree in Biochemical Engineering at the Department of Chemical Engineering, she completed her doctorate on polymer-based solar cells at the Technion’s Multidisciplinary Program for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, under the supervision of Prof. Gitti L. Frey from the Materials Science and Engineering Department. Tamar returns to the Technion after a postdoctoral fellowship at Argonne National Laboratory and at the University of Chicago.