معرفی
Hakan USTA is a Professor of Materials Science and Chemistry in the Department of Materials Science and Nanotechnology Engineering at Abdullah Gül University (AGU) in Kayseri, Turkey. He leads the USTALAB research group, which focuses on the theoretical design and synthetic development of new organic molecular, macromolecular, and polymeric π-conjugated materials for new-generation (opto)electronics and nanotechnology applications.
Dr. USTA received his B.S. in Chemistry in 2004 from Bilkent University (Ankara, Turkey) with a Cumulative-GPA of 3.7/4.0 (Ranked 1st, Honors in Chemistry). He then obtained his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) under the supervision of Prof. Tobin J. Marks in 2008, with a Cumulative-GPA of 3.9/4.0. His doctoral research focused on 'Solution-Processable Molecular and Polymeric Semiconductors for Ambient-Stable Organic Field-Effect Transistors.'
Dr. USTA's research spans multiple areas of materials science and nanotechnology, with particular focus on developing high-performance functional organic materials for optoelectronic applications. His work encompasses p-/n-/ambipolar semiconductors, low band gap donor-acceptor polymers, low-LUMO π-systems, hot-exciton fluorescent molecules, green-solvents soluble high-performance semiconductors, semiconductors with scalable synthesis, and thermally responsive molecules. These materials form nano-/micro-structures in thin-films that lead to applications in organic surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (o-SERS), thin-film transistors (OTFTs), photovoltaics (OPVs), light-emitting diodes/transistors (OLEDs and OLETs), and multiplex encoded surfaces (physically unclonable functions-PUFs).
Analysis of Dr. USTA's recent publications reveals a strong trend toward developing novel organic semiconductor materials with specific molecular designs for targeted applications. His research has particularly focused on BTBT derivatives, BODIPY-based materials, and indenofluorene systems, with applications spanning from high-performance transistors to advanced sensing platforms and security technologies. The interdisciplinary nature of his work bridges chemistry, materials science, and electrical engineering to address challenges in organic electronics.
- 2020 Tubitak Science Incentive Award in Materials Science and Nanotechnology
- 2015 The Young Scientists Award (TÜBA-GEBİP)
- 2015 The Young Scientist of the Year (Science Heroes Association)
- 2014 BAGEP Distinguished Young Scientist Award
Dr. USTA has received significant research funding, with his group reporting >1.1 million USD in grants received. His research group has produced over 70 journal articles and 14 international patents, with his work accumulating over 5000 citations. He actively collaborates with researchers both nationally and internationally, including with Prof. Myung-Gil Kim's group at Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea on NRF-TUBITAK joint projects.
Dr. USTA leads the USTALAB research group, which has established itself as a leading center for the development of novel organic semiconductor materials. The lab's work on organic SERS platforms has received notable recognition, including coverage in C&EN News. The group maintains active research directions in multiple areas of organic electronics, with ongoing projects focused on n-type BTBT development, organic encoded surfaces, and new materials for optoelectronic applications.
