Hari Nair

Hari Nair is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Cornell University, part of the College of Engineering. His research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of complex oxide thin films using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), with applications in power electronics, quantum materials, and optoelectronics.

• B.Tech. in Engineering Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, 2006
• M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2008
• Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2013

His research interests lie at the intersection of semiconductor physics, materials synthesis, and advanced functional materials. He specializes in epitaxial strain engineering, heterostructure design, and the control of electronic and magnetic properties in oxide thin films. His vision is to leverage novel materials to enable revolutionary advances in electronic and optoelectronic devices.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on β-Ga₂O₃ for high-power devices and ruthenate-based quantum materials such as Sr₂RuO₄ and SrRuO₃. His work spans ultra-wide bandgap semiconductors, strain-engineered phase transitions, superconductivity, and spin-orbit phenomena. Techniques include MBE growth, THz spectroscopy, and advanced electron microscopy.

Notable scientific awards include:

• Student Paper Award, Device Research Conference (DRC), 2013
• The Ben Streetman Prize for Outstanding Research in Electronic and Photonic Materials and Devices, 2013
• Student Paper Award, Electronics Materials Conference (EMC), 2012

Hari Nair has advised several graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, though specific names are not listed in the provided text. His work has been supported by grants from federal agencies and institutional programs focused on advanced materials and quantum science. He is actively involved in collaborative research through centers and labs at Cornell, particularly those related to materials synthesis and characterization.

He leads a research group focused on the growth and study of epitaxial thin films, working closely with the D.G. Schlom group and other collaborators in the Kavli Institute at Cornell. His lab utilizes state-of-the-art MBE systems and advanced characterization tools for probing electronic, magnetic, and structural properties at the nanoscale.