Chaoyang Jiang

Professor Chaoyang Jiang serves as Faculty Coordinator for Graduate Programs and Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of South Dakota. His research program focuses on nanostructured materials for anti-counterfeiting and sensing applications, with particular expertise in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and plasmonic nanomaterials. He directs an active research group supported by multiple NSF grants and state-funded initiatives targeting illicit economy disruption.

• PhD, Inorganic Chemistry, Nanjing University (2000)
• BS, Chemistry, Nanjing University (1996)

Dr. Jiang's research centers on developing multifunctional nanomaterials for security applications. His group pioneers SERS-based anti-counterfeiting technologies using gold nanostars and luminescent germanate phosphors, creating covert molecular tags detectable through portable Raman scanners. Recent work emphasizes inkjet-printed QR codes and multimodal security labels combining plasmonic and luminescent properties. The research bridges fundamental nanomaterial synthesis with real-world applications in pharmaceutical authentication and supply chain security.

Analysis of recent publications (2022-2025) reveals a strategic shift toward applied security technologies, with 80% of papers focusing on anti-counterfeiting implementations. Key trends include increased collaboration with law enforcement agencies, development of field-deployable detection methods, and integration of machine learning for spectral analysis. The work spans fundamental plasmonics to commercial prototype development.

• President's Awards for Research Excellence (University of South Dakota, 2013)

Dr. Jiang currently supervises 5 graduate students and 3 undergraduates, with recent graduates securing positions at NIST and security technology firms. His research is supported by $2.8M in active funding including an NSF MRI award (2025-2028) for advanced XRD instrumentation and the $1.2M NSF REU Site: C3 (2024-2027) focused on crime-combating research. The group collaborates with South Dakota law enforcement through the Governor's Office-funded Center for Understanding and Disrupting the Illicit Economy (2021-2026).

The research group operates specialized facilities for nanomaterial synthesis and characterization, including electrospinning stations, Langmuir-Blodgett troughs, and plasmonic sensor development labs. Recent instrumentation upgrades through NSF MRI grants have established USD as a regional hub for nanoscale security technology development, with particular strengths in SERS substrate engineering and luminescent material fabrication.