Our people
Associate Professor Franck Natali
Principal Investigator
- Phone:
- +64 4 463 5809
Address:
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Victoria University of Wellington
P O Box 600
Wellington 6140
Biography
Franck Natali received his MSc degree (2000) in Electronic Engineering from the University of Bordeaux, France, and his PhD degree in physics from the University of Nice, France (2003). He is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences at Victoria University of Wellington.
Before Franck joined Victoria University of Wellington, he spent 2 years as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch and 2 years as a research operator on MBE systems inside Riber, a world leading supplier of molecular beam epitaxy products and services to the compound semiconductor community. He has been a Principal Investigator with the MacDiarmid Institute since 2010. Frank is the co-founder of startup company Liquium.
Research interests
Most of Franck's scientific research spans from semiconductor material science, including ultra-high vacuum technology, epitaxial growth, structural, electrical and optical characterizations, to the fabrication of devices such as light emitting diodes and transistors.
His work on the description-comprehension of the epitaxial growth processes as well as the understanding-control of materials properties is driven with the aim of technological progresses in the electronic (powerful transistors for broadcast communications, etc) and optoelectronics (energy savings) sectors.
There is a need to research how we deal with the increase of data, and we need more and more advanced devices to address this problem.
Associate Professor Franck Natali
In the news
News Article
MacDiarmid Institute researchers successful in latest MBIE round
September 20, 2024
The MacDiarmid Institute is pleased to share the following successes from its researchers in this year’s MBIE Endeavour Fund round.
Read more about MacDiarmid Institute researchers successful in latest MBIE round
In The Media
New Zealand’s 100 inspired entrepreneurs
August 12, 2024
In 2011, Sir Paul Callaghan, who founded the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, said in a pitch for the science-led prosperity of Aotearoa that "one hundred inspired entrepreneurs could turn this place around”. In 2024, the MacDiarmid Institute will have alumni working across the motu and across industries in roles that require research training and a deep tech skill set. Founders of startups, CEOs and CSOs, research scientists and innovation experts provide concrete examples of the value that Callaghan was talking about.
Annual Report
Franck Natali - Annual Report 2023
April 14, 2024
Associate Professor Franck Natali completed his Breakthrough Energy Fellowship as one of the inaugural Fellows in this global initiative.
Annual Report
2023 Funding successes - Annual Report 2023
April 13, 2024
Funding successes for our Investigators and their research programmes during 2023.
Annual Report
2023 Awards - Annual Report 2023
April 13, 2024
MacDiarmid Institute Principal and Associate Investigators and managers who have received awards this year.
Annual Report
MacDiarmid Independent Postdoctoral Fellowships - Annual Report 2023
April 13, 2024
We welcome Dr Caitlin Casey-Stevens, Dr Amy Yewdall, and Dr Bicheng Zhu with Independent Postdoctoral Fellowships.
Read more about MacDiarmid Independent Postdoctoral Fellowships - Annual Report 2023
Annual Report
Catalysts for positive change - Annual Report 2023
April 12, 2024
Our researchers are on the hunt to find new materials and technologies that can help reduce greenhouse gases.
Read more about Catalysts for positive change - Annual Report 2023
Annual Report
AMN10 - Annual Report 2023
April 12, 2024
New funding initiatives, biggest ever AMN10 outreach programme and the conference's first ever commercial stream.
News Article
Three Independent Postdoctoral Fellowships awarded
May 24, 2023
The MacDiarmid Institute has three new Independent Postdoctoral Fellows.
Read more about Three Independent Postdoctoral Fellowships awarded
Annual Report
MESA is born
April 21, 2023
Principal Investigator Associate Professor Natalie Plank recalls walking into the offices of the Deputy Director and Centre Manager back in 2010 and pitching the idea for a MacDiarmid Institute student-led organisation
Annual Report
Patent applications - Annual Report 2022
April 20, 2023
One of the early considerations on the path to market for materials science is what should be patented and why.
Annual Report
Spin-outs formed in 2022
April 20, 2023
Matthew Cowan – University of Canterbury
Permeance Limited
Laura Domigan – University of Auckland
Opo Bio Limited
Franck Natali - Victoria University of Wellington
Liquium
Shane…
Annual Report
Funding successes - Annual Report 2022
April 19, 2023
Funding successes for our investigators and their research programmes during 2022. This funding enables our researchers and collaborators to continue their breakthrough research in advanced materials and nanotechnology.
News Article
Hon. Ayesha Verrall, Minister for Research, Science, and Innovation visits VUW labs
November 4, 2022
We hosted a visit by Ayesha Verrall, Minister for Research, Science, and Innovation at our MacDiarmid Institute labs.
Read more about Hon. Ayesha Verrall, Minister for Research, Science, and Innovation visits VUW labs
News Article
MacDiarmid Institute researchers one third of KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards finalists
August 19, 2022
Six MacDiarmid Institute researchers are among 18 finalists selected for the annual KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards.
Annual Report
Science for a sustainable future
May 27, 2022
The 2021 Regional Lecture Series was able to go ahead in-person this year, with the theme of Science for a Sustainable Future.
Annual Report
Sponsoring our first House of Science branch
May 27, 2022
We continue our long-time sponsorship of the House of Science. This time we have sponsored the House of Science Horowhenua Branch.
Read more about Sponsoring our first House of Science branch
Annual Report
World Geothermal Congress in collaboration with Whakarewarewa Living Village
May 4, 2022
Our Investigators Associate Professor Franck Natali and Dr Pauline Harris gave online oral presentations at the World Geothermal Congress (WGC).
Read more about World Geothermal Congress in collaboration with Whakarewarewa Living Village
In The Media
RNZ’s Our Changing World: Revolutionising Ammonia Production
April 5, 2022
Associate Investigator, Associate Professor Franck Natali on the Breakthrough Energy Fellowship enabling his team to research reducing the energy cost of ammonia production.
Read more about RNZ’s Our Changing World: Revolutionising Ammonia Production
News Article
Associate Professor Franck Natali joins inaugural Breakthrough Energy Fellows Program
October 19, 2021
Associate Professor Franck Natali, has been accepted to the Breakthrough Energy Fellows Program.
News Article
Liquid metals that create nanostructure - it’s the little details that count
March 8, 2021
PhD candidate and MacDiarmid Institute researcher Stephanie Lambie from successfully kick-started a new collaboration with FLEET.
Read more about Liquid metals that create nanostructure - it’s the little details that count
Annual Report
Patents and Spinouts 2019 - Annual Report 2019
May 27, 2020
This article from our 2019 Annual Report provides information about the MacDiarmid Institute's latest inventions, patents and spinouts.
Read more about Patents and Spinouts 2019 - Annual Report 2019
Annual Report
Funding successes - Annual Report 2019
May 26, 2020
Funding successes for our investigators and their research programmes during 2019. This funding enables our researchers and collaborators to continue their breakthrough research in advanced materials and nanotechnology.
Annual Report
Awards - Annual Report 2019
May 26, 2020
This article from our 2019 Annual Report provides information about the range of awards received by MacDiarmid Institute Investigators over the past year.
Annual Report
Disruptive science for sustainable fertiliser
April 21, 2020
Globally, ammonia-based fertilisers are responsible for supporting 50 percent of the world’s food production and is one of the single largest chemical industrial processes on Earth.
Read more about Disruptive science for sustainable fertiliser
In The Media
Dr Franck Natali in a good position to create impact
August 26, 2019
A new Viclink position is helping Dr Franck Natali commercialise his many ideas to begin solving real-world problems sooner.
Read more about Dr Franck Natali in a good position to create impact
Annual Report
2018 funding successes - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
Funding successes for our investigators and their research programmes during 2018. This funding enables our researchers and collaborators to continue their breakthrough research in advanced materials and nanotechnology.
Annual Report
Patents and spinouts 2018 - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
This article from our 2018 Annual Report provides information about the MacDiarmid Institute's latest inventions, patents and spinouts.
Read more about Patents and spinouts 2018 - Annual Report 2018
Annual Report
Industry pathways for science graduates - Annual Report 2018
April 8, 2019
How do you go from a physics lab to Rocket Lab? Or from a chemistry lab to a new start-up company?
Read more about Industry pathways for science graduates - Annual Report 2018
News Article
MacDiarmid researchers successful in latest MBIE round
September 14, 2018
The MacDiarmid Institute is pleased to share the following successes from MacDiarmid researchers in this year’s MBIE Endeavour fund round.
Read more about MacDiarmid researchers successful in latest MBIE round
In The Media
How to cool down your data
July 19, 2018
Whether you’re mining bitcoin or Googling yourself, you’re creating a lot of heat somewhere.
In The Media
Building electronics atom by atom
February 24, 2016
Victoria University of Wellington has unveiled a unique piece of equipment used to make everyday electronics by layering atoms on top of each other very precisely.
Events
Science for a Sustainable Future - Tauranga (22 November)
November 4, 2021
Assoc Prof Franck Natali and Dr Emilia Nowak talk about the new research programmes, our Institute, and what the start of the new contract means for us.
Read more Science for a Sustainable Future - Tauranga (22 November)
To Industry and Beyond - Nelson (3 November)
September 28, 2022
Associate Professor Franck Natali and Dr Maryam Shojaei focus on pathways from science to industry as part of "To Industry and Beyond".
Podcasts
Element of the Week - Aluminium (Al)
December 2, 2019
Dr Franck Natali introduces the element Aluminium on RNZ Nights' Element of the Week.
Element of the Week - Indium (In)
September 9, 2019
Principal Investigator Dr Franck Natali introduces the element Indium on RNZ Nights' Element of the Week.
Element of the Week - Nitrogen (N)
August 19, 2019
Principal Investigator Dr Franck Natali introduces the element Nitrogen on RNZ Nights' Element of the Week.
Element of the Week - Thallium (Tl)
October 21, 2019
Principal Investigator Dr Franck Natali introduces the element Thallium on RNZ Nights' Element of the Week.
Videos
2016 Lecture Series: A Materials History of the World
February 16, 2019
Dr Franck Natali and 'Nanogirl' Dr Michelle Dickinson present A Materials History of the World.
Read more about 2016 Lecture Series: A Materials History of the World
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