Dhirendra Sahoo

I am aPostdoctoral Researcher at KTH Royal Institute of Technologyand theWallenberg Wood Science Center (WWSC), where I developbio-based functional materials and electrochemical systemsfor next-generation separation technologies, bioelectronics, and energy applications. My research combinesmaterials science, electrochemistry, nanotechnology, and cellulose engineeringto design sustainable materials with programmable functionalities.

My current research focuses onelectrochemically tunable mixed ionic-electronic conducting (MIEC) membranesbased oncellulose nanofibrils (CNFs)and conductive nanomaterials. By integrating renewable nanocellulose with electrically conductive networks, I have developed adaptive membranes capable ofreversible pore-size modulation and selective ion transportunder low electrical potentials. These electrically responsive materials enable dynamic control of molecular transport, offering new opportunities forsmart membrane technologies, controlled drug delivery, biosensing, bioelectronics, and resource-efficient separations.

In parallel, I investigaterenewable nanocellulose derived from wood and algae, exploring how nanoscale structure and surface chemistry influence electrochemical performance, transport properties, and mechanical behavior. My research also includes the development ofadvanced electrode materialsfor electrochemical energy storage, electrocatalysis, and sustainable sensing platforms.

My expertise spansfunctional material design, nanofabrication, electrochemical characterization, membrane science, and structure–property relationships, supported by advanced analytical techniques including electrochemical analysis, spectroscopy, microscopy, and mechanical characterization.

Through this interdisciplinary research, I aim to establishelectrically programmable, sustainable material platformsthat bridge fundamental science and practical technologies foradaptive membranes, bioelectronics, clean energy, and environmental applications. This work contributes to the development of intelligent materials capable of actively responding to external stimuli, addressing critical challenges in healthcare, water purification, and sustainable manufacturing.