Close-ups

Tell us about yourself: what you teach at Ca' Foscari, what are your interests and your areas of research.

Currently, I teach courses related to Fundamentals of Nanotechnology for Master's degree and Analysis and Synthesis Techniques for Functional Surface and Nanostructures for PhD degree students in Science and Technology of Bio and Nanomaterials. Both courses have focuses on the chemistry of inorganic materials and mainly on design of 2D nanocomposites, with size, morphology, porosity, crystalline phases and characterization techniques, for energy applications. My area of research interest focuses on photo/electrochemical energy conversion and storage technologies like water splitting and Luminescence solar concentrators.  

What was your academic career?

I am Kassa Belay Ibrahim, researcher at the Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems of Ca' Foscari University of Venice. I graduated my BSc in Chemistry and M.Sc in Chemistry (Analytical) in Ethiopia, then I obtained my PhD in Materials Engineering and Nano-Science from Taiwan. I work as postdoctoral fellow in Academia Sinica one of the prestigious research institute and National Taiwan University, Taiwan. In 2022, I took up my job as a Fixed-Term Researcher of type A) at Ca' Foscari University. Currently, I am a researcher in the Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems at Ca' Foscari University.

A look to tomorrow: how do you imagine your search for the future?

Very exciting! With the new colleagues at Ca' Foscari, directions are opening up that have always fascinated. The energy demand of the current society is a driving force for us to work hard to replacing the current fossil fuel which has an environmental impact. Thus, our research perspective is to replace with green and environmental friendly energy source like Hydrogen fuel, luminescence solar concentrator and battery. By working hard, we will scale up form laboratory to industrial application. 

What do you say to young people approaching research today?

My opinion is that to approach research you need curiosity and imagination. The young researchers should consider their work as a passion rather than a real occupation. Unfortunately, it is not easy to achieve new results, it takes dedication, patience and a thorough knowledge of the state of the art. I advise the young researchers to be kind and compassionate towards others; it will not only make them feel good but also make you feel good.