Sascha Feldmann among C&EN's “Talented 12”

Sascha Feldmann. Credit: EPFL

Sascha Feldmann. Credit: EPFL

Professor Sascha Feldmann at EPFL’s School fo Basic Sciences has been selected as one of Chemical & Engineering News’ (C&EN) “Talented 12” for 2025, highlighting his innovative work in light-matter interactions and next-generation optoelectronic materials.

C&EN’s “Talented 12” is an annual selection by Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), the news outlet of the American Chemical Society. Since its inception in 2015, the program has highlighted a dozen early-career scientists each year who are leveraging their chemistry expertise to address real-world challenges. These individuals are recognized for their innovative research and potential to make significant impacts in various fields.

This year saw almost 370 nominees for the 2025 Talented 12. Out of the twelve that made the cut is EPFL’s Sascha Feldmann, who directs the Laboratory for Energy Materials at the School of Basic Sciences.

Feldmann’s team at EPFL uses light-matter interactions to understand and engineer the next generation of soft semiconductors. Their goal is to maximize energy efficiency for a sustainable future, unlocking applications from flexible, lightweight solar cells and ultra-efficient displays to quantum information processing.

At LEM, the group dives into the fundamentals of light, charge, and symmetry, working to boost solar photovoltaics, create smarter electronics, and pioneer quantum information technologies. For instance, Feldmann’s team is developing LED materials that emit circularly polarized light—a twist that could instantly double the efficiency of modern screens. “This literal new twist on semiconductors could allow us to teach new tricks to an old dog, advancing semiconductor industry by breaking through efficiency limits or interfacing them seamlessly with emerging quantum technologies,” says Feldmann.

They’re also exploring how to control electron spin in perovskites, which could lead to new, energy-saving ways to process data using spintronics and quantum IT.

The selection for C&EN’s “Talented 12” isn’t just about technical expertise. It’s also about imagination and impact. Feldmann stands out for asking bold questions and following them with creative experiments. For example, his recent projects explore how manipulating the structure of materials can lead to surprising behaviors—like making light travel in spirals, or produce entirely new effects. These advances could reshape industries ranging from telecommunications to health technology.

Feldmann’s recognition by C&EN is a testament to the collaborative, cross-disciplinary spirit that drives discovery at EPFL. “I am absolutely thrilled about this recognition of the science that my group and I are passionate about,” he says. “Without my amazing team, none of this would have been possible!”

Sascha Feldmann’s profile on C&EN


Source: Basic Sciences | SB

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