Munir Nayfeh is an atomic physicist renowned for his groundbreaking work in nanotechnology. He received his BSc/MSc from AUB and PhD from Stanford University. He was a postdoc at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a lecturer at Yale University, and a consultant at the Argonne National Laboratory, and is currently a professor at University of Illinois. He co-authored Electricity and Magnetism (also translated into Farsi), co-edited three books on lasers, and is the author of an upcoming book on silicon nanotechnology. He presents science-fiction, using the trademark “Dr. Nano,” to simplify nanotechnology for children.

Dr. Nayfeh has developed breakthrough imprints by developing writing with single atoms. He has made silicon (the dullest material and backbone of the electronics industry) glow by dispersing it into ultra-bright nanoparticles. This enables advanced low-cost devices for use in poor and remote areas, with diverse applications from solar energy and lighting to early detection/treatment of acute disease.

Dr. Nayfeh holds the largest number of patents in nanosilicon worldwide (23 US). He founded three companies – NanoSi Advanced Technologies, Nano Silicon Solar, and Parasat-Nanosi (Kazakhstan) – and is an IAS fellow, and has been president of the Network of Arab Scientists and Technologists Abroad, with the mission to accelerate strategies and technology development in Arab and OIC countries. He received the Beckman, AT&T, Industrial 100, and Energy 100 Awards.