Chemistry and physics of materials with an emphasis on nanoscale materials; rational synthesis of new nanoscale materials and nanostructured solids; development of methodologies for hierarchical assembly of nanoscale materials into complex and functional systems; investigation of fundamental electronic, optical and optoelectronic properties of nanoscale materials; design and development of nanoelectronics and nanophotonic systems with emphasis on digital and quantum computing, nano-enabled photovoltaics for renewable energy, nanoelectronic-biology interfaces with emphasis on real-time, ultra-sensitive biodetectors, new tools for neuroscience and cell biology, and novel nanoelectronic interfaces to tissue and organs.

Awards and Achievements

  • Nano Research Award, Tsinghua University Press/Springer ( 2013)
  • IEEE Nanotechnology Pioneer Award ( 2013)
  • Willard Gibbs Medal ( 2013)
  • Wolf Prize in Chemistry ( 2012)
  • Fred Kavli Distinguished Lectureship in Nanoscience, Materials Research Society ( 2010)
  • Friendship Award, People’s Republic of China ( 2009)
  • Inorganic Nanoscience Award, ACS Division of Inorganic Chemistry ( 2009)
  • Pioneer Award, National Institutes of Health ( 2008)
  • Einstein Award, Chinese Academy of Sciences ( 2008)
  • NBIC Research Excellence Award, University of Pennsylvania ( 2007)
  • Nanotech Briefs Nano 50 Award (2005); World Technology Award in Materials ( 2004)
  • ACS Award in the Chemistry of Materials ( 2004)
  • Scientific American 50 Award in Nanotechnology and Molecular Electronics ( 2003)
  • Nelson W. Taylor Award, Pennsylvania State University ( 2003)
  • World Technology Award in Materials ( 2003)
  • New York Intellectual Property Law Association Inventor of the Year Award ( 2003)
  • APS McGroddy Prize for New Materials ( 2003)
  • Harrison Howe Award, University of Rochester ( 2002)
  • MRS Medal ( 2002)
  • Foresight Institute Feynman Prize in Nanotechnology ( 2001)
  • NSF Creativity Award ( 1996)
  • Leo Hendrik Baekeland Award, American Chemical Society ( 1995)
  • George Ledlie Prize, Harvard University ( 1994-1995)
  • MRS Outstanding Young Investigator Award ( 1993)
  • ACS Award in Pure Chemistry ( 1992)
  • Denkewalter Prize, Loyola University Chicago ( 1992)
  • Camille and Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award ( 1990-1995)
  • Wilson Prize ( 1990)
  • NSF Presidential Young Investigator Award ( 1988-199)
  • Distinguished New Faculty Award, Dreyfus Foundation ( 1987)
  • American Institute of Chemists Distinguished Senior Award ( 1981)
  • Theodore Saulnier Research Award ( 1981)
  • Pentathlon Medal for Excellence in Chemistry ( 1981)