Gerhard Henning Olsen

About

Science isn't about why, it's about why not! – Cave Johnson

I work as an Associate Teaching Professor (Norwegian: Førstelektor) in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (IMA) where I mainly teach introductory courses in chemistry and materials science. I also serve as academic programme director for the newly created bachelor's programme in Chemistry and Materials Engineering (BIKOM) as well as for the the master's programme in Materials Science and Engineering (MSMT).

Background

2019–now: Associate Professor, Materials Science, NTNU
2017–2019: Postdoc, Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University
2012–2016: Ph.D., Materials Science, NTNU (advisor: Tor Grande)
2007–2012: MSc, Materials Chemistry, NTNU

Teaching

Courses I have taught recently include:

IMAK1001 General Chemistry for Engineers
IMAK1006 Phase Transformations and Functional Properties
IMAK2010 Material Properties and Use
TMAK1002 Basic Materials Technology
TMT4171 Introduction to Materials Science

Supervision

I supervise student projects on the BSc and MSc level in chemistry and materials science. As of spring 2025 I have supervised two MSc projects related to laboratory instruction in chemistry education, and twelve BSc projects (28 students) in collaboration with various external partners.

Research interests

Education research: Exams and assessment, digital exams, student-active learning and assessment methods, laboratory teaching, use of digital aids in teaching.

Materials science research: Coupling between structure and functional properties of materials, phase transitions, point defects, epitaxial strain in thin films, simulation of material properties with DFT and classical methods.

Publications

See complete list of publications on Google Scholar.

2017

Olsen, Gerhard Henning; Sørby, Magnus Helgerud; Selbach, Sverre Magnus; Grande, Tor. (2017) Role of Lone Pair Cations in Ferroelectric Tungsten Bronzes. Chemistry of Materials
Academic article

2016

Olsen, Gerhard Henning; Grande, Tor; Selbach, Sverre Magnus; Koch, Henrik. (2016) Ferroelectric Tungsten Bronzes. Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Doctoral dissertation
Skjærvø, Sandra Helen; Wefring, Espen Tjønneland; Nesdal, Silje K.; Gaukås, Nikolai Helth; Olsen, Gerhard Henning; Glaum, Julia. (2016) Interstitial oxygen as a source of p-type conductivity in hexagonal manganites. Nature Communications
Academic article
Olsen, Gerhard Henning; Aschauer, Ulrich; Spaldin, Nicola A.; Selbach, Sverre Magnus; Grande, Tor. (2016) Origin of ferroelectric polarization in tetragonal tungsten-bronze-type oxides. Physical Review B. Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Academic article

2015

Olsen, Gerhard Henning; Selbach, Sverre Magnus; Grande, Tor. (2015) On the energetics of cation ordering in tungsten-bronze-type oxides. Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics - PCCP
Academic article

2014

Olsen, Gerhard H.; Sørby, Magnus Helgerud; Hauback, Bjørn; Selbach, Sverre Magnus; Grande, Tor. (2014) Revisiting the crystal structure of rhombohedral lead metaniobate. Inorganic Chemistry
Academic article
Haugen, Astri Bjørnetun; Olsen, Gerhard Henning; Madaro, Francesco; Morozov, Maxim; Tutuncu, Goknur; Jones, Jacob L.. (2014) Piezoelectric K0.5Na0.5NbO3 Ceramics Textured Using Needlelike K0.5Na0.5NbO3 Templates. Journal of The American Ceramic Society
Academic article

2012

Olsen, Gerhard Henning; Einarsrud, Mari-Ann. (2012) Texturing of lead free piezoelectric ceramics. Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Masters thesis

Journal publications

Olsen, Gerhard Henning; Sørby, Magnus Helgerud; Selbach, Sverre Magnus; Grande, Tor. (2017) Role of Lone Pair Cations in Ferroelectric Tungsten Bronzes. Chemistry of Materials
Academic article
Skjærvø, Sandra Helen; Wefring, Espen Tjønneland; Nesdal, Silje K.; Gaukås, Nikolai Helth; Olsen, Gerhard Henning; Glaum, Julia. (2016) Interstitial oxygen as a source of p-type conductivity in hexagonal manganites. Nature Communications
Academic article
Olsen, Gerhard Henning; Aschauer, Ulrich; Spaldin, Nicola A.; Selbach, Sverre Magnus; Grande, Tor. (2016) Origin of ferroelectric polarization in tetragonal tungsten-bronze-type oxides. Physical Review B. Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Academic article
Olsen, Gerhard Henning; Selbach, Sverre Magnus; Grande, Tor. (2015) On the energetics of cation ordering in tungsten-bronze-type oxides. Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics - PCCP
Academic article
Olsen, Gerhard H.; Sørby, Magnus Helgerud; Hauback, Bjørn; Selbach, Sverre Magnus; Grande, Tor. (2014) Revisiting the crystal structure of rhombohedral lead metaniobate. Inorganic Chemistry
Academic article
Haugen, Astri Bjørnetun; Olsen, Gerhard Henning; Madaro, Francesco; Morozov, Maxim; Tutuncu, Goknur; Jones, Jacob L.. (2014) Piezoelectric K0.5Na0.5NbO3 Ceramics Textured Using Needlelike K0.5Na0.5NbO3 Templates. Journal of The American Ceramic Society
Academic article

Report

Olsen, Gerhard Henning; Grande, Tor; Selbach, Sverre Magnus; Koch, Henrik. (2016) Ferroelectric Tungsten Bronzes. Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Doctoral dissertation
Olsen, Gerhard Henning; Einarsrud, Mari-Ann. (2012) Texturing of lead free piezoelectric ceramics. Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Masters thesis

Språkvelger

Gerhard Henning Olsen