Meet Akashdeep Nath, a Postdoctoral Researcher at ENSICAEN – Université de Caen Normandie and a key member of the MOF2H2 team. Akashdeep brings his expertise in materials science and spectroscopy to Work Packages 3 and 5, where he focuses on understanding the catalytic mechanisms of MOF-based materials for photocatalytic hydrogen production.

His work centres on a custom-built Operando FT-IR setup, which allows real-time monitoring of gas-phase products and catalyst surfaces under light-driven conditions. Using MOF pellets, Xenon light sources, FT-IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry, Akashdeep investigates how to optimise these materials for better efficiency and stability. One challenge he’s faced? Improving recyclability in photocatalytic systems—a hurdle he tackled through collaborative problem-solving and careful analysis.

What drives him? The opportunity to contribute to low-carbon hydrogen innovation using his favourite material class: MOFs. Outside the lab, Akashdeep enjoys photography—and jokes that while he studies solar energy, the skies over Caen are rarely sunny.

Stay tuned to discover more of the brilliant minds behind MOF2H2!