• BS, Physics, Nanjing University, China – 1993
• PhD, Physics, University of Nebraska – 2001
• Postdoctoral Research at IBM T.J. Watson Research Center – 2001-2004

Condensed Matter Experiment

Nanoscale magnetism, Spintronics, unconventional chalcogenide semiconductors  

As dimensions of materials cross over fundamental length scales, new physics emerge. We are interested in understanding fundamental spin and magnetic phenomena in materials at reduced dimensions, such as 2D thin films, 1D nanowires and 0D nanocrystals. We grow these materials using both chemical solution phase synthesis, and physical and chemical vapor deposition techniques. Doping, alloying and heterostructures are exploited to modify the properties of the host materials. We use magnetic, charge transport and magneto-optical probes to study the physical properties of these materials.  Presently, the topics of our research include: studying magnetism in atomically thin layers; developing novel 2D magnets and their heterostructures; developing novel magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications such as imaging and magnetic hyperthermia.

We are also interested in the design and development of novel materials for energy applications. Our experimental work is guided by first principles theory and materials informatics. Presently our project is focused on developing chalcogenide perovskites, an emerging class of unconventional ionic semiconductors.

• UB Exceptional Scholar – Young Investigator Award, 2009
• National Science Foundation's CAREER Award, 2006
• IBM Research Division Award, 2003

• M. Bian et al, “Dative Epitaxy of Commensurate Monocrystalline Covalent van der Waals Moiré Supercrystal”, Advanced Materials 34, 2200117 (2022).
• ·Z. Yu et al, “Chalcogenide perovskite BaZrS₃ thin-film electronic and optoelectronic devices by low temperature processing”, Nano Energy 85, 105959 (2021).
• ·X. Wei et al, “Realization of BaZrS₃ chalcogenide perovskite thin films for optoelectronics”, Nano Energy 68, 104317 (2020).
• T. Norden et al, “Giant valley splitting in monolayer WS₂ by magnetic proximity effect”, Nature communications 10, 1-10 (2019).
• J. Zhou et al, “Observing crystal nucleation in four dimensions using atomic electron tomography”, Nature 570, 500-503 (2019).
• C. Zhao et al, “Enhanced valley splitting in monolayer WSe2 due to magnetic exchange field,” Nature nanotechnology 12, 757-762 (2017).
• Y. Yang, et al, “Deciphering chemical order/disorder and material properties at the single-atom level,” Nature, 542, 75–79 (2017).