Dr. Panagiotis Sarkiris | Superhydrophobic Award | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Panagiotis Sarkiris , NCSR Demokritos, Greece

Panagiotis Sarkiris is a Research Engineer specializing in superhydrophobic surfaces and nanotechnology. With a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens and extensive experience in plasma coatings, micro-nano texturing, and condensation heat transfer enhancement, Panagiotis has contributed significantly to cutting-edge European research programs. He currently works on EIC European Transition and Green Shipping projects, where his innovations focus on sustainable solutions for energy and maritime industries. A prolific researcher, he has published in top journals and received accolades for academic and professional excellence.

Professional Profile:

Google Scholar

Suitability for a Researcher Award

🎓 Education:

Panagiotis Sarkiris is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of the Aegean, where he focuses on developing superhydrophobic coatings for maritime applications. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from NTUA in collaboration with NCSR Demokritos (2019–2023), where his dissertation explored the fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces to enhance condensation processes. He holds an M.Sc. in Nanotechnology and Microsystems from NTUA (2016–2018), with a thesis analyzing drop motion on superhydrophobic surfaces, achieving a perfect grade (10/10). He also earned his Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Western Macedonia (2010–2016), where he researched heat generation via cavitation bubbles, also earning top marks (10/10).

💼 Experience:

Panagiotis has extensive research and engineering experience. He currently works as a Research Engineer on the EIC Transition SuperClean program, designing plasma reactors and advanced surface treatments. He also contributes to the NavGreen program, focusing on superhydrophobic fabrication and CFD analysis for drag reduction in maritime applications. Previously, he worked on the CarbyneSense and Harmonic programs, contributing to plasma coatings, tribology, and energy-efficient hydrophobic surface development. Beyond his academic roles, Panagiotis has been a freelance engineer since 2018, specializing in CAD, 3D modeling, and CFD. Earlier, he interned at Hellenic Aerospace Industry, where he analyzed J79 aircraft engines.

🏅 Awards & Honors:

Panagiotis’s accomplishments include receiving the prestigious IKY Scholarship (2022) for his Ph.D. research on superhydrophobic surfaces. In 2019, he won first place at NTUA’s GreenTech Challenge for his work with Aurora Plasma Tools. Additionally, he was awarded an academic scholarship in 2014 for his outstanding performance at the University of Western Macedonia.

🔬 Research Focus:

Panagiotis’s research centers on energy-efficient micro-nano engineering, particularly the fabrication and application of superhydrophobic surfaces for maritime and industrial use. His expertise includes leveraging plasma technologies to enhance hydrophobicity, improve thermal efficiency, and reduce drag. By combining experimental techniques with computational fluid dynamics (CFD), he optimizes surface interactions for energy transfer, condensation, and maritime performance, driving innovations in sustainability and efficiency.

Publication Top Notes:

• A review of fabrication methods, properties, and applications of superhydrophobic metals

  • Citations: 55

• Motion of drops with different viscosities on micro-nanotextured surfaces of varying topography and wetting properties

  • Citations: 28

• Topography optimization for sustainable dropwise condensation: The critical role of correlation length

  • Citations: 10

• Durable, ultrathin, and antifouling polymer brush coating for efficient condensation heat transfer

  • Citations: 5

• Durable Superhydrophobic Aluminum Surfaces against Immersion and Hot Steam Impact: A Comparative Evaluation of Different Hydrophobization Methods and Coatings

  • Citations: 2