Alexander Puretzky

Alexander A Puretzky

Senior R&D Staff

Alexander Puretzky is currently a Senior R&D Staff member at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS) in the Functional Hybrid Nanomaterials Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). He received his Ph.D. in physics from the Institute of Spectroscopy at Moscow, Russia in 1977 on laser spectroscopy related to selective photoionization of atoms and photodissociation of molecules for laser isotope separation.At ORNL, he has focused on understanding the laser generated plasma plumes for controlled synthesis of thin films and nanomaterials and revealing their growth mechanisms using in situ time-resolved spectroscopic imaging and other real-time diagnostics techniques. His research has more recently concentrated on laser spectroscopy of nanomaterials including 2D materials, carbon nanotubes, nanoparticles, and nanowires. Basic science projects include investigations of the growth mechanisms of carbon nanotubes and nanohorns, graphene, and nanoparticles as well as modeling of their growth kinetics and studies of their functional properties. His research utilizes a wide variety of laser including nanosecond and femtosecond for synthesis, processing, and characterization of nanomaterials for use in hydrogen storage, solar cells, and other energy-related applications.Professional and Synergistic Activities2011 Session Chair, Nucleation & Growth Mechanisms of Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes, 2011 Guadalupe Workshop V, April 8-12, 20111995 –p Reviewer for Peer-Reviewed Journals: Physical Review Letters, Physical Review B, Applied Physics Letters, Carbon, and others.Member Materials Research Society

  1. 1998 Lockheed Martin Technical Achievement Award.

  2. 1999 Lockheed Martin Technical Achievement Award.

  3. 2017 CNMS Distinguished Scientific Paper Award.
  4. 2020 UT-Battelle Outstanding Scholarly Output Award.
  5. 2018 UT-Battelle Distinguished Researcher Award in Science and Technology.