Mercouri G. Kanatzidis

Mercouri G. Kanatzidis, Ph.D., is a Professor of Chemistry at Northwestern University and a Senior Scientist in the Materials Science Division at Argonne National Laboratory. He completed his B.S. in Chemistry at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Greece, and earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Iowa. Following postdoctoral positions at the University of Michigan and Northwestern University, he began his academic career at Michigan State University, where he progressed from Assistant to Full Professor. Dedicated to education and service, he has mentored over 200 postgraduate and postdoctoral students.
Known for his groundbreaking work in halide perovskite materials, Dr. Kanatzidis pioneered the development of all-solid-state solar cells, significantly advancing photovoltaics. His research on coherent nanostructuring has revolutionized the understanding of energy conversion in materials, particularly in thermoelectric materials that convert heat into electricity.
His research has garnered significant recognition, including election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2023). He has received prestigious awards such as the Centenary Prize and the De Gennes Prize from the Royal Chemical Society (2023), the Chemical Pioneer Award from the American Institute of Chemists (2018), and the ACS Award in Inorganic Chemistry (2016). His innovative work on halide perovskite materials earned him the DOE Ten at Ten Award (2019).
A highly cited researcher in chemistry, physics, and materials science, Mercouri’s contributions to science.