Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Professor Milad Kamkar, Multiscale Materials Design Center, University of Waterloo, Canada

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Abstract

Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.

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Dr Milad Kamkar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6822-7370) is an Assistant Professor of Soft Matter Engineering in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo. He currently serves as the Director of the Multiscale Materials Design Center, where his team focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and additive manufacturing of soft functional materials based on polymers and/or nanomaterials. His research is application-driven, with current projects aimed at developing electromagnetic shields, carbon capture materials, and wastewater treatment systems using 3D-printed aerogels. Dr Kamkar's work has garnered support from NSERC, the Government of Ontario, Mitacs, and various industry partners.

Dr Kamkar's contributions have been widely recognized and he has received numerous awards including the 2024 Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology Research Leader Award, the 2024 Faculty of Engineering Distinguished Performance Award, and being named among the 2024 Journal of Materials Chemistry A Emerging Investigators. He is also the recipient of the 2023 Polymer Processing Early Career Award and the 2022 Polymer Processing Society Young Researcher Award, reflecting his leadership and innovation in the fields of polymer science and soft matter engineering.

Read Milad Kamkar's Emerging Investigator Series article ‘Droplet-templating soft materials into structured bead-based aerogels with compartmentalized or welded configurations’ ( https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MH01896F ) and read more about him in the interview below:

Materials Horizons (MH): Your recent Materials Horizons Communication demonstrates a droplet-templating approach to engineer ultra-lightweight aerogels via the interfacial co-assembly of nanoparticle-surfactant systems at polar/apolar liquid interfaces. How has your research evolved from your first article to this most recent work, and where do you see it heading?

My academic journey began with a BASc and MASc degree in Polymer Engineering at Amirkabir University of Technology (Iran), where my master's thesis focused on the rheological behavior of polymer nanocomposites. Rheology—the study of the flow and deformation behavior of materials—has always fascinated me due to its direct relevance to soft matter applications, from polymer processing to cosmetics and food science. I then pursued a PhD in Chemical Engineering in Canada, with a focus on the nonlinear rheology of soft materials such as hydrogels based on polymer and/or nanomaterials.

At Stanford University, my research pivoted to interfacial rheology and nanoparticle-surfactant assembly at liquid–liquid interfaces, a topic critical in stabilizing emulsions for a wide range of applications including consumer and pharmaceutical products. Later, at the University of British Columbia, as a postdoctoral researcher, I began exploring 3D printing of bio-based hydrogels to fabricate porous aerogels with engineered microstructures. By the time I joined the University of Waterloo as an Assistant Professor, I had developed a highly interdisciplinary background, merging nanotechnology, rheology, interfacial science, and materials engineering. Thus, I decided to bring these elements together to pioneer new strategies in soft matter templating for advanced material fabrication.

Our lab has since introduced several innovative approaches, including liquid streaming,¹ chaotic direct ink writing (ChDIW),² and most recently, droplet templating, as featured in Materials Horizons. These techniques enable the fabrication of aerogels with previously inaccessible architectures—such as worm-like, multilayered, interpenetrated, Janus³ and compartmentalized or welded morphologies—by guiding the interfacial co-assembly of nanomaterials and surfactants. These techniques offer a unique opportunity to precisely engineer hybrid materials that deliver multifunctionality—including, for example, magnetic and conductive properties—making them well-suited for applications such as electromagnetic shielding and sensing.

Looking ahead, we aim to translate these advances into real-world solutions, targeting environmental challenges such as wastewater treatment and carbon capture. I personally believe that technological progress must go hand in hand with environmental responsibility, and materials innovation is key to closing that gap.

MH: What aspect of your work are you most excited about at the moment?

That is a great question. Being a professor is incredibly rewarding, but it is also a multifaceted role encompassing teaching, mentorship, research, and industry collaboration. To be a successful professor, one must have genuine enthusiasm for all aspects of the role. While I enjoy all these aspects, what excites me most is working with students.

Engaging with them, whether through discussions, brainstorming, or problem-solving sessions, truly energize and inspire me in my role. In this role, I am well aware that it is my responsibility to support the development of my highly qualified personnel (HQP) in all aspects, from conducting high-quality, reliable research to fostering professionalism and integrity in the workplace. Thus, I consider it a great responsibility to train HQP not only in rigorous, reproducible science but also in professional conduct and critical thinking. Seeing their progress and successes, both academic and personal, is the most fulfilling part of my role.

MH: In your opinion, what are the most important questions to be asked or answered in this field of research?

Without advanced materials, there would be no advanced industries or technologies. More importantly, in our modern era, advances in materials engineering are responsible for delivering viable solutions to society's complex problems. History serves as strong evidence of this claim. From metals to ceramics to polymers, the emergence of each new class of material has catalyzed industrial revolutions and by extension, transformed our daily lives. Thus, Materials science and engineering underpin every technological revolution in human history—from the Stone Age to the Silicon Age. As we look to the future, a fundamental question is: what is the next “Materials Age”?

However, we should keep in mind that a critical challenge is reconciling technological innovation with environmental sustainability. Indeed, recent technological advancements have come at a significant cost, giving rise to new and complex challenges for our planet. An interesting example is the development and widespread application of semiconductors, which enabled the emergence of compact, reliable, and high-speed wireless communication technologies. However, these technologies introduced a new form of invisible pollution, known as electromagnetic pollution, which is increasingly recognized as an environmental and health concern. Similarly, polymers such as PFAS and conventional plastics revolutionized consumer goods but later revealed serious ecological and health impacts due to microplastic and nanoplastic pollution.

Now, the key question is: How can we use our knowledge in materials science and engineering to address the following fundamental goals?

1 To discover and synthesize more sustainable materials that offer properties comparable to or even superior to those of their non-sustainable counterparts.

2 To develop systems and technologies based on these efficient, eco-friendly materials that can help mitigate the current environmental challenges brought about by past innovations.

These are not only timely but essential goals and my research group is actively working to address both through innovation in sustainable material design and application.

MH: What do you find most challenging about your research?

In short, one of the greatest challenges we face is developing sustainable replacements for engineered, non-renewable materials—such as PFAS. These engineered polymers are truly fascinating due to their exceptional multifunctionality, which also makes their replacement incredibly difficult. For instance, PFAS are used across a broad range of applications, from non-stick cookware to high-performance fabrics for firefighter gear and other extreme-use cases. What makes them so unique is their ability to meet demands across vastly different industries; they offer chemical and thermal resistance, hydrophobicity, mechanical strength, and tunable properties, all in one material. Finding a sustainable alternative that checks all these boxes is an arduous challenge. Nonetheless, given the growing environmental and health concerns—including their association with cancer—we must innovate and push the boundaries of materials science to find safer, eco-friendly alternatives.

Another major challenge lies in ensuring that the development of new materials is truly sustainable, not just in terms of their origin, i.e., from renewable resources, but also in the processes used to synthesize and apply them. We need to rethink our fabrication strategies to reduce chemical inputs and minimize our environmental footprint. For example, in a recent project,^4,5 we developed 3D-printable graphene-based inks through green and low-impact fabrication methods using minimal or no harmful chemicals. These inks were used to create functional 3D aerogels aimed at removing electromagnetic pollution from the environment. In doing so, we had to carefully balance rheological features, electrical conductivity, and mechanical integrity—all within a green processing framework. Meeting these requirements simultaneously demanded deep interdisciplinary knowledge spanning nanomaterials chemistry, soft matter rheology, processing, and application-specific engineering.

These are the kinds of complex, high-impact challenges that define our field and keep us at the forefront of materials science and engineering.

MH: In which upcoming conferences or events may our readers meet you?

I regularly attend the Polymer Processing Society Conference, ACS Colloids, and the Society of Rheology meetings. However, as an Iranian researcher, I sometimes face travel restrictions due to nationality-related visa barriers. I remain hopeful that we will one day live in a borderless world, where collaboration is possible regardless of origin, and knowledge can flow freely.

MH: How do you spend your spare time?

It really depends on the season—especially here in Canada! In the summer, we are surrounded by breathtaking green landscapes, and my favorite activities include swimming, paddleboarding, and barbecuing by the lake with my friends and family. I also greatly enjoy hiking in nature. In the winter, I usually take part in cozy indoor gatherings with friends. Due to my academic journey, I’ve had the opportunity to live in many different cities over the years. I have been fortunate to build meaningful friendships in each place, connections that have not only made life enjoyable but have also helped me learn and grow personally and professionally. Another seasonal activity that I particularly enjoy in winter is ice fishing, which allows me stay active outdoors.

MH: Can you share one piece of career-related advice or wisdom with other early career scientists?

If I may, I'd like to offer two pieces of advice to early-career scientists.

First, whatever responsibility you are holding at any given moment, do it to the best of your ability. Whether it is cooking dinner for your family, running an experiment in the lab, or writing a research paper, give it your full effort and attention. Excellence is not task-dependent; it is a mindset. The habit of striving for your best in every situation will shape your approach to larger responsibilities over time.

Second, be as adventurous as possible in your career. Embrace new environments, travel, and challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone. Do not hesitate to take on roles or experiences that seem intimidating at first, that is often where the most growth happens. It is through these moments that you discover new opportunities, develop resilience, and expand your perspective, both personally and professionally.

References

1. M. Kamkar, et al., Structured ultra-flyweight aerogels by interfacial complexation: self-assembly enabling multiscale designs, Small, 2022, 18(20), 2200220.
2. S. Samsami, et al., Chaotic Direct Ink Writing (ChDIW) of Hybrid Hydrogels: Implication for Fabrication of Micro-ordered Multifunctional Cryogels, Small Methods, 2025, 2500349.
3. A. Ghaffarkhah, et al., Functional Janus structured liquids and aerogels, Nat. Commun., 2023, 14(1), 7811.
4. E. Erfanian, et al., Additive-free graphene-based inks for 3D printing functional conductive aerogels, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2024, 12(38), 25715–25729.
5. E. Erfanian, et al., Electrochemically synthesized graphene/TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils hydrogels: Highly conductive green inks for 3D printing of robust structured EMI shielding aerogels, Carbon, 2023, 210, 118037.

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