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Steven Hayden's current research interests lie in devising creative microscopy solutions to solve fundamental and applied degradation science challenges across the gamut of NREL’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. 

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

Perovskite solar cells

Heterogeneous catalysis for thermochemical conversion

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)