Bio
Liam Collins is a Senior R&D scientist at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS), a Department of Energy Nanoscale Science Research Center. He has over a decade of experience in the area of material science with a specialization in the development of atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques for characterizing structure–function properties on the nanoscale.
His research is broad, with applications focused on electrochemical processes at the solid–liquid interface, electronic properties and ionic motion at interfaces, and electromechanical coupling in ferroelectric and ionic materials. To study these phenomena, he develops and applies advanced AFM modes including Electrochemical Force Microscopy (EcFM), time-resolved Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM), and interferometric Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (PFM).
Liam also serves as the Postdoc Coordinator for CNMS, and in this role, as well as through his broader mentoring, he is committed to fostering inclusive, supportive, and productive research environments.
Awards
Jon Poplawsky Outstanding CNMS Staff Member Award 2025
Outstanding CNMS Staff Member Award 2020
Significant Event Award 2020 (for advancement of quantitative scanning probe microscopy by interferometric detection sensing)
CNMS Distinguished Patent Award 2018
CNMS Postdoctoral Award 2017
R&D 100 Award 2016
Microscopy Today Innovation Award 2016
MRS Graduate Student Gold Award 2014
Education
Doctor of Philosophy(Physics) University College Dublin 2015
Masters of Science(Applied Physics) University of Limerick 2009
Bachelor of Science(Science Education) University of Limerick 2008