Nick Rolston

Nick Rolston is an Assistant Professor in the School of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering at Arizona State University (ASU). He also holds a position as a Graduate Faculty member in Materials Science and Chemical Engineering. Rolston earned his B.S. in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Iowa in 2014, followed by a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Stanford University in 2020. His doctoral research focused on the design and fabrication of thin-film perovskite photovoltaic devices, which are crucial for renewable energy applications.12

His current research interests include renewable energy technologies, materials science, and the mechanics of thin films. Rolston leads a research group that investigates the fundamental mechanical and material properties of thin-film energy devices, aiming to develop scalable manufacturing methods for next-generation renewable energy technologies. His work encompasses the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning for optimizing energy devices and systems.12

Rolston has received several accolades for his contributions to the field, including the NSF CAREER Award in 2024 and the Inorganics Young Investigator Award in 2023. He is also recognized as a Scialog Fellow in Sustainable Minerals, Metals, and Materials.123 His research lab at ASU focuses on the relationship between material degradation in energy devices and environmental stresses, contributing to advancements in photovoltaic and battery technologies.2