Cutting-Edge Materials for Electrical Energy Storage and Efficiency
The goals for cutting-edge materials in electrical energy efficiency and storage are multifaceted and ambitious. The primary research objectives include developing and commercializing innovative high-energy electrodes, contributing to advancements in manufacturing. The research group employs a dual approach of experimental investigations and modeling studies to comprehensively understand and optimize the performance of these novel electrodes. This strategy helps elucidate transport mechanisms and enhances the overall behavior of the electrodes, fostering a synergy between theoretical and practical aspects to establish robust electrodes with advanced characteristics.
The group aims to enhance energy efficiency by creating advanced materials that improve the performance and reduce the consumption of electrical systems and devices. Additionally, it focuses on innovating materials for next-generation batteries and supercapacitors to increase energy density, charging speed, and lifespan, thereby supporting more reliable and sustainable energy storage solutions. Sustainability is a key priority, with a strong emphasis on eco-friendly and sustainable materials that minimize environmental impact and promote green technologies. The group also seeks to develop cost-effective materials that can be easily produced and implemented on a large scale, making advanced energy solutions more accessible and affordable. Finally, ensuring the reliability and safety of new materials is crucial, as they must meet high standards for use in various electrical applications, from consumer electronics to large-scale energy systems.
Dr. Dimitra Vernardou
Dr. Dimitra Vernardou’s extensive expertise extends to material development using various chemical techniques, including chemical deposition (e.g., CVD), electrodeposition, hydrothermal procedures, and spraying techniques. These techniques are applied to control fundamental material characteristics such as structure, morphology, thickness, and interfacial properties between different materials. The laboratory is well-equipped for material growth and electrochemical evaluation, featuring tools like cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and battery testing systems. She also plays a crucial role as a representative of the Hellenic Mediterranean University in Battery2030+, a substantial initiative aimed at establishing an EU organization for the development of future batteries. These advanced batteries will find applications in electromobility, defense sector, energy storage, and more. Furthermore, she played a key role as a scientific investigator in establishing the Technology Transfer and Innovation Unit at Hellenic Mediterranean University.
Dr. Vernardou’s remarkable contributions to the field are reflected in her extensive body of work, with ~88 publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals. Her influence is evident through her h-index of 38 and 4.152 citations on Google Scholar, which underscores her scientific recognition.
She has managed a significant number of projects over the past three years, gaining experience in a wide range of requirements related to the planning and supervision of specific deliverables for a company. She has undertaken the implementation of an operational program for the establishment of a Technology and Innovation Transfer Unit, as well as a European program for guiding visiting researchers in her lab for the execution of research experiments, utilizing the available facilities.
Mr Nikos Kavousanos
Nikos Kavousanos received his B.Sc. in Chemistry in 2020 from the University of Crete. After fulfilling his military obligations, he enrolled in the Master’s Program “Nanotechnology for Energy Applications” at the Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU). As part of his master’s thesis, he is working on zinc-based energy storage materials. His research is conducted in collaboration with two Laboratories: the Cutting-Edge Materials for Electrical Energy Storage and Efficiency Group at the “Center of Materials Technology and Photonics” Laboratory of HMU, under the supervision of Dr. Dimitra Vernardou, and the “Ultrafast Laser Micro and Nano Processing Laboratory” at the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), supervised by Dr. Athanasia Kostopoulou and Dr. Konstantinos Brintakis. His experience primarily focuses on cyclic voltammetry, topological characterization of samples using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), as well as Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) of thin films.
Dr. Maria Apostolopoulou
Dr. Maria Apostolopoulou received her B.Sc in Materials Science and Technology in 2014 (University of Crete), her M.Sc in Nanotechnology for Energy Applications in 2024 (Hellenic Mediterranean University-HMU) and she is a PhD candidate at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in HMU. She has experience of the synthesis of metal oxides as well as carbon-based composites. In the context of both her bachelor and master thesis, she has worked on the growth of thin material coatings for energy applications as well as their structural, morphological (XPS, SEM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy) and electrochemical (Cyclic Voltammetry) characterization. She has also presented part of her work in two Pan-Hellenic Conferences on Solid State Physics and Material Science. Furthermore, she has participated in the writing of six publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.