Liam Collins
About Liam Collins
Liam Collins is a Staff Scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, specializing in electrochemical phenomena and nanoscale characterization. He has a background in science education and extensive research experience in nanophysics and applied physics.
Current Role at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Liam Collins serves as a Staff Scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a position he has held since 2015. In this role, he is part of the Centre for Nanophase Material Science. His work focuses on the characterization of materials at the nanoscale, particularly emphasizing the solid-liquid interface. He aims to apply novel techniques to study energy materials and devices under in-operandi conditions.
Education and Academic Background
Liam Collins has a strong educational foundation in the sciences. He earned a BSc in Education with a focus on biological science and physics from the University of Limerick, completing his studies from 2004 to 2009. He then pursued an MSc in Applied Physics, specializing in Medical Imaging, at the same institution from 2008 to 2009. Collins continued his education at University College Dublin, where he obtained a PhD in Physics, focusing on Single Molecular Biophysics and Scanning Probe Microscopy, from 2010 to 2014.
Previous Experience at University College Dublin
Before joining Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Liam Collins worked as a PhD Research Student in the Nanoscale Function Group at University College Dublin from 2010 to 2015. His research during this period contributed to the understanding of electrochemical phenomena at the nanoscale, specifically at single nanopores and structural defects.
Teaching Experience at University of Limerick
Liam Collins has teaching experience as a Class Tutor in the Department of Physics at the University of Limerick. He held this position from 2007 to 2009, where he contributed to the education of undergraduate students in physics.
Research Interests and Specializations
Liam Collins has a keen interest in redesigning science education practices to align with evolving scientific experiences and understanding. His research specializes in characterizing structure-function properties on the nanoscale, particularly at the solid-liquid interface. He develops multidimensional approaches, such as electrochemical force microscopy combined with fast detection and information theory analysis, to enhance Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy techniques.