CNRS Permanent Researcher at the IPREM (Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux), UMR 5254, under Section 13 (Physicochemistry: molecules, environments).
Research interests
Dr. Karamanis's research interests are broad yet focused on the innovative areas of quantum chemistry and materials science. His work is characterized by a solid foundation in theoretical and computational methods, contributing significantly to the fields of nonlinear optics, electronic properties of nanomaterials, and the development of novel computational approaches for the design of advanced materials.
One of the cornerstones of Dr. Karamanis's research is his exploration into the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of materials. This area of study is critical for the development of future technologies in telecommunications, computing, and beyond. His notable research on graphene its hybrids and on other 2D materials and semiconducting material sheds light on methods to modify and enhance their NLO responses. Through rigorous theoretical and computational analysis, Dr. Karamanis deepens our comprehension of material-light interactions, setting the stage for innovations in optical devices and the broader field of materials science. His research includes also functional oxides integrated into silicon technology, aiming to advance photonic applications. Photonics involves the use of light (photons) to perform functions that electronics (electrons) do, promising advancements in communications, computing, and sensing technologies. In addition, he has also been deeply involved in the theoretical investigation of electronic properties of atomic clusters, both in their free form and when adsorbed on functionalized supports. This work is crucial for the development of novel nanomaterials with tailored electronic properties and on the quantum chemical design of superatomic building blocks from the bottom up by focusing on the potential applications of these materials in photonics and electronics. Dr. Karamanis is also recently involved into the issue of microplastics pollution and the in understanding how microplastics adsorb pollutant molecules release, and how these processes affect their biodegradability. By exploring the environmental fate of microplastics, his work aims to contribute to the global effort to mitigate the ecological impact of plastic waste. Finally, the recent years he is involved in studies on organic thermoelectric materials particularly those based on small organic molecules, and in investigations dealing with interaction of heavy metal pollutants, such as mercury, with biological molecules.