Fei Yan

Fei Yan is a Professor at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), where he has served on the faculty since 2010, achieving promotion to Associate Professor with tenure in 2017 and Full Professor in 2021. His research program develops functional nanomaterials for applications in optoelectronics, chemical sensing, and environmental remediation, supported by significant funding from federal agencies and research institutions.

His academic background includes:

• Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, State University of New York at Binghamton (2001)
• Postdoctoral research at the University of Michigan (2001-2003) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (2003-2005)

Dr. Yan's research centers on 2D nanomaterials including MXenes, MoTe₂, and Bi₂S₃, with focus areas:

• Development of photocatalytic systems for bacterial inactivation using nanocomposites
• Engineering of near-infrared photodetectors based on 2D heterostructures
• Advancement of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) platforms
• Creation of antimicrobial nanofibrous membranes for biomedical applications

His interdisciplinary work bridges chemistry, materials science, and environmental engineering to address critical challenges in health and energy technologies.

Analysis of his 12 publications from 2020-2022 reveals a concentrated research trajectory in 2D nanomaterials, particularly MXenes and transition metal dichalcogenides. The work consistently addresses material synthesis, charge transfer mechanisms, and applications in photocatalysis and sensing. Dominant themes include bacterial inactivation through photocatalytic and photodynamic approaches, broadband photodetection using ultrathin nanosheets, and SERS enhancement mechanisms - demonstrating a cohesive program advancing functional nanomaterials for environmental and biomedical applications.

Dr. Yan has secured over $4.4 million in competitive research funding as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-PI:

• Army Research Office: $400,000 as PI for 'Tunable Broadband Photodetectors Based on 2D Heterostructures' (2022-2025)
• National Science Foundation: $3.825 million as Co-PI for 'NCCU-PSU Partnership for Research and Education in Nanoscale Materials' (2021-2027)
• Alfred P. Sloan Foundation: $250,000 as Co-PI for the 'Central-to-Chapel Hill Masters-to-Doctorate Bridge Program' (2022-2023)
• Additional funding from Department of Education, RTI International, and North Carolina Space Program

He also directs multiple collaborative initiatives including the Homeland Security-Center for Research, Education, and Sensor Technology.

He leads the PREM Center for Nanoscience Research and Education at NCCU, fostering multi-institutional research teams with Duke University and the University of North Carolina, while actively mentoring students through the NCCU-UNC Master's to Ph.D. Chemistry Bridge Program.