Steven Hayden is a staff scientist in the Analytical Microscopy and Imaging Science group at NREL. His current research interests lie in devising creative microscopy solutions to solve fundamental and applied degradation science challenges across the gamut of NREL’s clean energy technology systems. Examples include investigating the nanoscale interfaces, catalyst layers, and pore structures in hydrated polymer membranes; determining nano-structure-function relationships in delicate perovskite solar devices; and teasing out nanoscale degradation mechanisms in composite metals. He has expertise in scanning electron microscopy (SEM), focused ion beam (FIB)-SEM, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM)as well as associated in-situ, cryo, and spectroscopic techniques.

Prior to joining NREL, Steven worked in academia, applying plasmonic nanomaterials to the fields of energy and medicine, and at national labs, creating and characterizing responsive composite soft materials with mesostructured architectures. In the industrial energy sector, Steven used applied microscopy to reduce carbon emissions in the fields of catalysis and gas separation and to understand the fundamental degradation mechanisms that underlie steel corrosion at the nanoscale.

Research Interests

Clean energy degradation science

Nanoscale imaging, tomography, and elemental analysis of soft materials (cryo-FIB-SEM)

In-situ scanning/transmission electron microscopy (S/TEM; in-situ liquid, gas, biasing, heating, etc.)

Nanoscience, plasmonics, and catalysis

Perovskite solar cells

Heterogeneous catalysis for thermochemical conversion

Education

Ph.D., Chemistry and Biochemistry, Plasmonics in Medicine & Energy, Georgia Institute of Technology 

B.S., Chemistry and French Language, Mercer University

Professional Experience

Director of Research and Outreach, SME Logistics, Inc. (2021–2022)

Senior Research Scientist, Aramco Americas Boston Research Center (2016–2021)

Research Scientist, Aramco Americas Boston Research Center (2015–2016)

Postdoctoral Researcher, Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories (2013–2015)

Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Heidelberg, Germany (2012–2013)

Graduate Researcher, Georgia Institute of Technology (2007–2012)

Translator, American Journal Experts (2011–2012)

Research Assistant, Emory University and Centers for Disease Control (2006–2007)

Language Assistant, Collège Jean-Rostand, France (2004–2006)

Associations and Memberships

Counselor, Committee on Public Relations and Communications, American Chemical Society (2019–present)

User Executive Committee, Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory (2018–present)

Member, Microscopy Society of America

Featured Work

Genesis of Nanogalvanic Corrosion Revealed in Pearlitic Steel, Nano Letters (2022)

Mixed‐Matrix Membranes Formed From Multi‐Dimensional Metal-Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Gas Transport and Plasticization Resistance, ChemSusChem (2019)

Localized Corrosion of Low-Carbon Steel at the Nanoscale, npj Materials Degradation (2019)

Tuning the Potential Energy Landscape To Suppress Ostwald Ripening in Surface-Supported Catalyst Systems, Nano Letters (2019)

Reversible Lifting of Surface Supported Lipid Bilayers With a Membrane-Spanning Nonionic Triblock Copolymer, Biomacromolecules (2017)

Greater Than the Sum: Synergy and Emergent Properties in Nanoparticle–Polymer Composites, MRS Bulletin (2015)

TiO₂ Nanotube/CdS Hybrid Electrodes: Extraordinary Enhancement in the Inactivation of Escherichia Coli, Journal of the American Chemical Society (2010)

Patents

Methods of Generating and Corrosion Testing Aqueous Gas Streams Prepared From Aqueous Acid and Salt Precursor Solutions, U.S. Patent No. 11035836 (2021)

Branched Metal-Organic Framework Nanoparticles in Mixed-Matrix Membranes and Associated Methods, U.S. Patent No. 17251129 (2021)

Awards and Honors

Member, Aramco Americas Strategy Development Board (2017–2020)

Winner, Aramco Global Grand Challenge in Sustainability (2019)

Featured Presenter/Research Project, Aramco Global Board of Directors Meeting (2019)

Featured Presenter/Research Project, Saudi Crown Prince U.S. Tour, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2018)

Featured Presenter, U.S. Senate, Capitol Hill Science Exposition (2018)

Ambassador of Science Honoree, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Materials Physics & Applications Division (2014–2015)