Two central goals of my research group are to (1) develop a mechanistic understanding of semiconductor nanomaterial synthesis (e.g. nanowires), allowing precise control of composition and morphology, and (2) rationally design and experimentally measure, often at the single-particle level, targeted physical properties and functionality. Because the materials have dimensions on the nanometer length scale, subtle changes in size and geometry have a profound influence on the optical and electrical characteristics. Efforts in materials synthesis are coupled with in-house kinetic and computational modeling as well as a variety of experimental fabrication, characterization, and microscopic measurement techniques. The combination of these three capabilities—synthesis, measurement, and modeling—provides a general strategy to understand growth mechanisms, define structure-property relationships, and interpret device performance. Materials are developed for a variety of applications, ranging from solar energy and solar fuels to electronics and photonics.
Awards and Achievements
- Sloan Research Fellowship ( 2015)
- Cottrell Scholar Award ( 2015)
- Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering ( 2014)
- Phillip and Ruth Hettleman Prize for Artistic and Scholarly Achievement
- National Science Foundation CAREER Award
- Sloan Research Fellowship
- Cottrell Scholar Award