Alexandre C. Foucher received his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania in 2022. His dissertation focused on in situ scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) investigation of bimetallic nanocatalysts in a realistic environment. He then completed his postdoctoral training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and joined ORNL as an R&D Associate in October 2024.
Alexandre is specialized in valence state analysis with electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), electron pair-distribution function (ePDF) analysis, synthesis of nanomaterials, as well as correlative STEM and X-ray absorption (XAS) spectroscopy diagnostics. His previous work focused on nanoparticles for catalysis, but also thin films for nanoelectronics. At ORNL, he continues to work on in situ STEM analysis of nanocatalysts to guide their rational design, as part of the Bioengineering Technologies Office (BETO). The goal is to understand degradation mechanisms, morphological changes and the structure-property correlation of innovative nanocatalysts used to produce valuable fuels for the U.S. industry.
Alexandre also won the ORNL LDRD Early Career Award (FY26) and will focus on the design, understanding and optimization of 2D/3D heterostructures for novel transistors and memristors used in nanoelectronics.