Dr Michael de Volder

Nanotechnology; Water filtration; Energy storage; Carbon nanotubes; Department of Engineering; School of Technology

Dr Michael De Volder is a Lecturer and the Research Group Leader of the NanoManufacturing group at the Institute for Manufacturing, Department of Engineering. He is also Fellow and Director of Studies at St John's College, the co-Founder of two nanotechnology spin-out companies and awardee of several industrial, academic prizes and an ERC Starting Grant.  Finally, he is a member of the Energy @ Cambridge Strategic Research Initiative.

Michael's research addresses challenges in the assembly and organisation of nanoparticles into well-defined super-structures. These materials find applications in next generation energy storage and water filtration devices. 

The research on water filtration that Michael's group through the development of robust, point of use filtration technologies can impact the lives of the world’s poorest 3 billion people. Indeed, over a billion individuals lack access to potable water, causing millions of deaths annually. Moreover, few adequate point-of-use technologies are available that provide high removal levels of a wide range of pathogens and particularly of viruses.

Michael and his team have a very strong interest in leveraging emerging developments in nanotechnology to support society and address global challenges, which underlies his motivation to contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals through the participation in Cambridge Global Challenges.