The Agne Lab Interface the Future

The Agne Lab was established in the Chemistry Department at the University of Oregon in 2023 with a mission in research to advance the development of next generation energy and environmental technologies.

Thermodynamic principles and microscopic models inform engineering design. We are a theory group who use computational and experimental methods to test hypotheses and build understanding.

Humanity faces unprecedented environmental challenges that require the adoption of sustainable technologies. Clean energy production, storage and utilization are key components to a green future.

Characterizing and describing mechanisms of thermal transport, ionic transport and electronic transport, are foundational to much of our research. We develop thermodynamic and microscopic models to inform engineering design. Specific technologies like solid-state batteries, thermoelectrics and quantum materials are of particular interest.

The world around us is ringing! Atoms vibrate at terahertz frequencies that are imperceptible to human hearing, but what if you could hear them? Our project called "The Sound of Solids" is led by Alicia Lancaster in collaboration with Prof. Jon Bellona from the school of music and dance and maps the vibrational spectrum of different materials to the audible range. Check it out here: https://pages.uoregon.edu/aalanc/upload-sounds-of-solids-mixer-filter/

Read our newly published paper on heat capacity at the following link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2542435125002351?dgcid=author

Recent Lab News

Alicia goes off to UCSD for her REU! --- 20 June 2025

Matthew graduated with a BS in chemistry! --- 15 June 2025

Our first paper has been accepted! --- 11 June 2025

Alex Advanced! --- 29 May 2025

Socials

Principle Investigator: Matthias T. Agne

Matthias T. Agne is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Oregon. He received his Bachelor and Master degrees in Materials Science and Engineering from Drexel University in 2015. While at Drexel, Matthias spent 4 years researching MAX phase ceramic composites under Professor Michel Barsoum. He completed his Ph.D under the advisory of Professor Jeffrey Snyder and graduated from Northwestern University in 2020. There, his research was concentrated in thermodynamics and materials physics with applications to thermal and electronic transport, thermoelectric materials and measurements. From 2020-2023, Matthias studied solid-state ionics as an Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow in the Chemistry Department at the University of Münster in the group of Professor Wolfgang Zeier. At the University of Oregon, Matthias is a member of the Materials Science Institute, the Oregon Center for Electrochemistry, and is affiliated faculty of the Physics Department.

Ph.D Students

Zöe Johnson
Elana Cope
Alex Dillard
Nathaniel Skeele

M.S. Students

Arya Saboori-Amleshi

Undergraduate Researchers

Alicia Lancaster
Fedor Chayka
Kristina Trinh
Liam Bielat
Matthew Confer

OUR TEAM IS GROWING! CONTACT: agne[at]uoregon.edu

The Lone Phonon invites you to join our crew!