Overview
Personal Profile
Steven Hayden's current research interests lie in devising creative microscopy solutions to solve fundamental and applied degradation science challenges across the gamut of NLR’s clean energy technology systems. Examples include investigating the nanoscale interfaces, catalyst layers, and pore structures in hydrated polymer membranes; determining nano-structure-function relationships in delicate perovskite solar devices; and teasing out nanoscale degradation mechanisms in composite metals. He has expertise in scanning electron microscopy (SEM), focused ion beam (FIB)-SEM, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as well as associated in-situ, cryo, and spectroscopic techniques.
Research Interests
Clean energy degradation science
Nanoscale imaging, tomography, and elemental analysis of soft materials (cryo-FIB-SEM)
In-situ scanning/transmission electron microscopy (S/TEM; in-situ liquid, gas, biasing, heating, etc.)
Nanoscience, plasmonics, and catalysis
Professional Experience
Counselor, Committee on Public Relations and Communications, American Chemical Society (2019–present)
User Executive Committee, Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory (2018–present)
Director of Research and Outreach, SME Logistics, Inc. (2021–2022)
Senior Research Scientist, Aramco Americas Boston Research Center (2016–2021)
Featured Presenter/Research Project, Aramco Global Board of Directors Meeting (2019)
Featured Presenter/Research Project, Saudi Crown Prince U.S. Tour, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2018)
Featured Presenter, U.S. Senate, Capitol Hill Science Exposition (2018)
Research Scientist, Aramco Americas Boston Research Center (2015–2016)
Postdoctoral Researcher, Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories (2013–2015)
Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Heidelberg, Germany (2012–2013)
Graduate Researcher, Georgia Institute of Technology (2007–2012)
Translator, American Journal Experts (2011–2012)
Research Assistant, Emory University and Centers for Disease Control (2006–2007)
Language Assistant, Collège Jean-Rostand, France (2004–2006)
Education/Academic Qualification
PhD, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Plasmonics in Medicine & Energy, Georgia Institute of Technology
Bachelor, Chemistry and French Language, Mercer University
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Collaborations and Top Research Areas From the Past 5 Years
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Mechanism-Informed Breakdown: Understanding Degradation by Controlling Voltage-Hold Patterns in Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers
Chan, A.-L., Hayden, S., Harvey, S., Smeaton, M., Okrucky, C., Watt, J., Ulicna, S., Spurgeon, S., Jungjohann, K. & Alia, S., 2026, In: ACS Applied Energy Materials. 9, 2, p. 924-937 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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De Nive Quinquangula: Pentagonal Snowflake Metal Nanocrystals as an Example of Emergence Phenomenon in Nanotechnology Complex Systems: Article No. e06539
Agyei-Mensah, J., Asare, P., Salazar, J. J., Hayden, S. & Yacaman, M., 2025, In: Small. 21, 47, 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Diagnosis of PV Cell Antireflective Coating Degradation Resulting From Hot-Humid High-Voltage Potential Aging
Miller, D., Arnold, R., Hacke, P., Hayden, S., Jackson, A., Johnston, S., Jungjohann, K., Mangum, J., Okrucky, C., Teeter, G., Terwilliger, K., Valdez, M., Wall, W., Wilder, L. & Gaulding, E. A., 2025, In: IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics. 15, 4, p. 523-532 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
1 Scopus Citations -
Field-Relevant Degradation Mechanisms in Metal Halide Perovskite Modules: Article No. 2404518
Ulicna, S., Schall, J., Hayden, S., Irvin, N., Silverman, T., Fei, C., Shi, X., Arnold, R., McDanold, B., Parker, J., Huang, J., Berry, J., Stein, J., Kern, D., Owen-Bellini, M. & Schelhas, L., 2025, In: Advanced Energy Materials. 15, 23, 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
11 Scopus Citations -
Photovoltaic Cable Jackets - A Comparison of Representative Products Using Combined-Accelerated Stress Testing: Article No. 113372
Miller, D., Arnold, R., Hacke, P., Jackson, A., Jiang, C.-S., Hayden, S., Moutinho, H., Newkirk, J., Perrin, G., Schelhas, L., Terwilliger, K. & Ulicna, S., 2025, In: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. 282, 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2 Scopus Citations
Activities
- 2 Membership of network
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Aramco Americas Strategy Development Board (External organization)
Hayden, S. (Member)
2020Activity: Membership › Membership of network
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Microscopy Society of America (External organization)
Donohoe, B. (Member), Dutta, N. (Member), Hayden, S. (Member), Smeaton, M. (Member) & Norman, A. (Member)
0001Activity: Membership › Membership of network
Awards and Honors
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Aramco Global Grand Challenge in Sustainability Winner
Hayden, S. (Recipient), 2019
Prize: Honorary award