Seyed Ehsan Hadi, PhD

Materials Scientist | Characterization Specialist | R&D

Materials scientist with 8+ years in materials R&D, specializing in multi-scale characterization and structure-property relationship analysis. Authored/co-authored 17+ peer-reviewed publications in materials chemistry and nanocomposites, with hands-on experience supporting both academic research and industrial collaborations. ACS Certified Reviewer with 40+ manuscript reviews. Technical expertise spans electron microscopy (AC-TEM, cryo-SEM, FEG-SEM), synchrotron-based structural analysis (SAXS/WAXS), surface characterization (XPS), and thermal property measurements. Background includes process development from lab-scale synthesis through pilot production, quality control troubleshooting, and training cross-functional teams in advanced characterization techniques.

Key Achievements

  • Delivered 17+ publications in high-impact journals including Advanced Materials, Angewandte Chemie, and ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.
  • Developed in-situ optical microscopy system for real-time material deformation analysis.
  • Developed Python-based automation tools with GUI reducing data processing time by 90% for XRD, and mechanical testing workflows.
  • Engineered magnetic nanocomposites achieving 95% bulk magnetite performance through systematic process optimization validated at pilot scale.
  • Engineered ultra-lightweight nanolignocellulose foams with record-breaking specific compression strength candidated production for industrial applications.
  • Supervised and trained 18+ students in advanced instrumentation, experimental design, and quality control procedures.
  • Coordinated international synchrotron experiments at MAX IV Laboratory (Sweden) and ESRF (France) managing multi-site research collaborations.

Education

PhD in Materials Chemistry

2019 – 2024

Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden

Thesis: Colloidal Processing and Alignment of Wood-Based Dispersions and Hybrid Functional Foams

Supervisors: Prof. Lennart Bergström, Prof. Aji Mathew

M.Sc. in Materials Science and Nanotechnology

2017 – 2019

Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey

Thesis: One-Pot Synthesis of Hybrid Core-Shell Nanoparticles for Antibacterial Photodynamic Therapy

Supervisor: Prof. Dönüş Tuncel

B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering

2012 – 2017

University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Top 15% Graduate

Professional Experience

Postdoctoral Research Associate

May 2024 – Present

KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden

  • Lead advanced characterization of fiber-based nanocomposites for industrial applications.
  • Developed in-situ optical microscopy system for real-time material deformation analysis.
  • Created Python automation tools with GUI for XRD and mechanical testing data processing, reducing analysis time by 90%.
  • Collaborate with industry partners troubleshooting manufacturing processes and quality control.
  • Supervise 2 master students in advanced instrumentation, experimental design, and scientific writing.

PhD Researcher

Sep 2019 – May 2024

Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden

  • Delivered 12+ publications in top-tier journals including Advanced Materials and Angewandte Chemie.
  • Engineered magnetic nanocomposites achieving 95% bulk magnetite performance through systematic process optimization.
  • Established complete characterization workflows using TEM, SEM, XPS, SAXS/WAXS, XRD, DSC, TGA, and rheometry.
  • Coordinated international synchrotron experiments at MAX IV Laboratory (Sweden) and ESRF (France).
  • Supervised and trained 18+ high school students in advanced characterization and experimental design.
  • Managed multiple concurrent research projects with timeline coordination and resource allocation.

Research Assistant

Sep 2017 – Aug 2019

Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey

  • Synthesized hybrid nanoparticles contributing to 3 peer-reviewed publications.
  • Performed materials characterization using TEM, SEM, XPS, UV-Vis, and DLS.
  • Developed standardized laboratory protocols improving synthesis reproducibility.

Selected Publications

  1. Hadi, S. E., et al. (2025). High-Performance Nanolignocellulose Foams for Sustainable Technologies. ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng., 13, 9467-9480.
  2. Hadi, S. E., et al. (2024). Hierarchical Incorporation of rGO into Anisotropic CNF Foams. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 16, 45337.
  3. Hadi, S. E., et al. (2023). Magnetic hybrid foams from Fe3O4@TA and TOCN. RSC Adv., 13, 13919.
  4. Munier, P.*, Hadi, S. E.*, et al. (2022). Shear-induced orientation of cellulose nanocrystals. Soft Matter, 18, 1234–1245.
  5. Di, A., Schiele, C., Hadi, S. E., et al. (2023). Moisture-Resilient Aramid/Cellulose Foams. Adv. Mater., 35, 2305195.
  6. Moreno, A., Liu, J., Hadi, S. E., et al. (2021). Hydration barrier of lignin oleate nanoparticles. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 60, 20897.
  7. Özkan, M., Hadi, S. E., et al. (2020). CB[7]-capped hybrid AuNPs for PDT/PTT therapy. ACS Appl. Polym. Mater., 2, 3840.

Peer Review Service

ACS Certified Reviewer

40+ manuscript reviews (2020-Present) for Macromol. Mater. Eng., J. Appl. Polym. Sci., Adv. Eng. Mater., Polymer, Polymers

Technical Skills

Advanced Sample Preparation Expertise

  • Cryo-ultramicrotomy: Leica Artos 3D (ultra-thin sectioning for TEM/STEM analysis, beam-sensitive materials)
  • Cross-section polishing: JEOL IB-19520CCP (ion beam cross-section preparation)
  • FIB-SEM: FEI Nova 600 (focused ion beam lamella preparation, 3D tomography)
  • Sample mounting: Embedding, freeze-drying, resin infiltration for microscopy

Electron Microscopy & Imaging

  • AC-TEM/STEM: FEI Themis Z (atomic resolution imaging, sub-angstrom capabilities, EELS, EDX mapping, nanoparticle analysis)
  • Cryo-TEM/STEM: JEOL JEM-2100F (beam-sensitive materials, biological samples, cellular structures)
  • Cryo-SEM: JEOL IT800 (low-temperature SEM, frost-free imaging)
  • HR-SEM: Hitachi S-4800 (high-resolution surface morphology, sub-nm resolution)
  • ESEM/EDS/WDS: FEI Quanta 200 (environmental SEM, compositional mapping, elemental analysis)
  • Tabletop SEM: Hitachi TM-1000, TM-3000 (rapid screening, educational applications)
  • Optical microscopy: Olympus BX53M (polarized light, bright/dark field), Leica DMIL (inverted microscopy)

X-ray & Synchrotron Techniques

  • SAXS/WAXS: MAX IV Laboratory (Sweden), ESRF (France) - nanostructure analysis, crystallinity, orientation mapping, anisotropy quantification
  • XPS: Thermo K-Alpha (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy - surface chemistry, oxidation states, depth profiling, elemental composition)
  • XRD: Panalytical (powder X-ray diffraction - phase identification, crystallinity calculation, crystal structure analysis)

Spectroscopy & Chemical Analysis

  • FT-IR: Bruker Alpha-II (functional group identification, chemical bonding analysis)
  • UV-Vis: Varian Cary (optical properties, absorbance, bandgap determination)
  • Raman spectroscopy: Molecular vibrations, phase identification, stress analysis

Particle, Thermal & Mechanical Analysis

  • DLS: Malvern Zetasizer (dynamic light scattering - particle size distribution, zeta potential, colloidal stability)
  • Rheometry: Anton Paar MCR 301, MCR 702e (viscoelastic properties, shear rheology, flow behavior)
  • TGA: TA Discovery (thermogravimetric analysis - decomposition, moisture content, thermal stability)
  • DSC: TA DSC250 (differential scanning calorimetry - heat capacity, phase transitions, glass transition temperature)
  • Hot Disk: Transient plane source method (thermal conductivity measurement with humidity control)
  • Mechanical testing: Instron 6800 Series (tensile, compression, flexural testing)

Programming & Software Development

  • Python (2+ years):
    • Core libraries: NumPy, Pandas, SciPy, Matplotlib, Plotly (data processing, statistical analysis)
    • Image analysis: scikit-image (basic)
    • Machine learning: scikit-learn (basic)
    • GUI development: PySide6/Qt (custom characterization tools)
    • Specialized: lmfit (adv. curve fitting, peak analysis)
    • Applications: Automated XRD/DSC/mechanical data processing, batch image analysis, custom workflows
  • Scientific software: OriginLab (Expert level - data analysis, visualization, publication-quality figures), LaTeX (document preparation, scientific writing), MATLAB (numerical computing, data analysis)
  • Microscopy software: Digital Micrograph (TEM/STEM data processing, EELS/EDX analysis), ImageJ/Fiji (image processing, quantitative analysis)
  • Chemistry tools: ChemDraw (chemical structure drawing), HighScore Plus (XRD analysis)
  • Development tools: Git/GitHub (version control), VS Code, Notepad++ (code editing), Linux/Unix (basic command line)
  • Web development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript (portfolio websites, data visualization)

Materials Synthesis & Processing

  • Materials synthesis & development: Nanoparticle synthesis (sol-gel, coprecipitation, hydrothermal), surface functionalization, composite fabrication, core-shell structures
  • Formulation optimization: Design of experiments (DOE), composition screening, parameter optimization for target performance specifications
  • Process development & scale-up: Lab-to-pilot transition, manufacturing feasibility, reproducibility validation (>90% batch-to-batch consistency)
  • Quality control & assurance: In-process testing, specification development, failure analysis, root cause investigation, corrective actions
  • Process optimization: Yield improvement, cycle time reduction, cost reduction, energy efficiency, waste minimization
  • Colloidal processing: Dispersion stabilization, particle size control, rheology modification, shelf-life optimization
  • Structure-property relationships: Microstructure characterization, property correlation, performance prediction, defect analysis
  • Manufacturing support: Production troubleshooting, on-site problem solving, technical guidance, process improvement initiatives
  • SOP development & documentation: Standard operating procedures, work instructions, training materials, technical reports
  • Materials characterization & testing: Physical, chemical, mechanical, and thermal property evaluation for quality acceptance
  • Supplier & material evaluation: Raw material qualification, vendor assessment, cost-performance analysis
  • Regulatory compliance: Safety protocols, environmental standards, material handling procedures, GMP awareness

Professional & Leadership Competencies

  • Project management: Timeline coordination, resource allocation, budget management, risk assessment, multi-project oversight
  • Technical communication: Report writing, scientific presentations, data visualization, SOP documentation, peer review (40+ manuscripts)
  • Leadership & training: Team supervision (18+ students), mentorship, instrumentation training, safety protocols
  • Collaboration: Cross-functional teams, international partnerships, industry-academia collaboration, multi-site coordination

Additional Information

Languages

English (Professional proficiency)
Persian (Native)
Swedish (Basic)

Grants and Awards

  • Wallenberg Wood Science Center PhD Fellowship (2019-2023)
  • Stockholm University PhD Fellowship (2019-2024)
  • UNAM & Bilkent University Scholarship (2017-2019)
  • TÜBİTAK Fellowship (2018-2019)

References

Prof. Lennart Bergström
Stockholm University
lennart.bergstrom@mmk.su.se

Prof. Lars Berglund
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
blund@kth.se

Materials Science Nanocomposites TEM/SEM SAXS/WAXS XPS Python R&D Project Management Data Analysis Characterization