Quy Ong Khac

Expertise Nanoparticle characterizationSurface and interface scienceAnalytical ultracentrifugationCryogenic electron tomographyScanning tunneling microscopy Current Work Cryogenic Transmission Electron Tomography (Cryo-ET): Developed Cryo-ET methods as quantitative thermodynamic tools. Studied interaction potentials and other thermodynamic properties of nanoparticles and proteins. Key publications: Ong Q. et al. Materials Horizons, 2022Ekaterina P., Ong, Q. et al. ACS Nano, 2026Analytical Ultracentrifugation (AUC): Designed and implemented a novel AUC capillary cell tailored for probing solution properties of dispersions (nanoparticles, proteins, polymers) under high concentration regimes (awarded the Svedberg First Poster Prize at the AUC-2024 conference). Combined multiple AUC techniques for analysis of semiconductor nanocrystals so as to improve their synthesis. Established thermodynamic equilibrium methods to study nanoscale particles. Provided service to industrial partners in therapeutic material characterization. Key publications include: Ong Q. et al. Analytical Chemistry, 2024 (cover feature)Xu X., Ong Q. et al. Advanced Materials Interfaces, 2022Krieg F., Ong Q. et al. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2019Nanoparticle Characterization via STM: Developed high-resolution imaging parameters for scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) of gold nanoparticles, facilitating the high-resolution visualization of organic ligand shells. Designed an STM liquid cell, enabling nanoparticle imaging in high-boiling liquids, significantly improving contrast and stability of nanoparticle STM imaging. Created analytical simulations of STM imaging to distinguish artifacts from genuine image features. key publications  include:Ong Q. et al. Chemical Communications, 2014Moglianetti M., Ong Q. et al Chemical Science, 2014Ong Q. et al. ACS Nano, 2013 Before EPFL: Graduate work at Clarkson University & Purdue University, USA 2004 – 2010Magnetic Nanoparticles: Synthesized and characterized core-shell magnetic nanoparticles. Characterized naoparticled using high-resolution TEM and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). Studied intra-particle magnetic interactions. Key publications:o Ong Q. et al. Physical Review B, 2009o Ong Q. et al. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2011Colloidal Interactions via AFM: Coated atomic force microscopy (AFM) tips with nanoparticles to measure colloidal interaction forces between nanoparticles and surfaces. Key publications:o Ong Q. et al. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2007o Sokolov I., Ong Q. et al. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2006 Postdoctoral Researcher EPFL, Switzerland | 2010 – PresentTeaching Assistant EPFL, Switzerland | 2013 – 2021 Teaching Assistant EPFL ,Purdue University, USA | 2009 – 2010Research Assistant, Purdue University, USA | 2005 – 2010Research Assistant, Clarkson University, USA | 2004 – 2005 ITIMS, Vietnam | 2002 – 2004 Education Physical Chemistry | Magnetic nanoparticles, gold nanowires, energy filtered transmission electron microscopy, synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles 2005 – 2010 Purdue University, USA Directed by Alexander Wei Physics | Atomic force microscopy, colloidal interactions, colloid-surface interactions, force spectroscopy 2004 – 2005 Clarkson University, USA Directed by Igor Sokolov Materials Science | Magnetic nanoparticles: synthesis and chateracterization 2000 – 2002 International Training Insitute for Materials Science (ITIMS), Vietnam Directed by Nguyen Hanh, Nguyen Phu Thuy Chemical Technology | Materials Chemistry 1996 – 2000 Hanoi University of Natural Sciences, Vietnam Directed by P.V. Tuong ResearchCurrent Research Fields Method developmentColloidal chemistryProtein stabilizationNanoparticle characterizationAnalytical UltracentrifugationCryogenic electron tomographyhttps://www.epfl.ch/labs/sunmil/ Teaching & PhD PhD Students Hien Tran Thi, Ekaterina Poliukhina Teaching and supervision · Teaching assistant for Prof. Stellacci (2013-2019) and Prof. Vasiliki (2019-2021): Thermodynamics for Materials Science.· Co-supervised 4 master’s thesis students with Prof. Stellacci.· Co-supervising currently 2 Ph.D. candidates with Prof. Stellacci. Awards SPARK grant SNSF 2025