Hao Zeng

Hao Zeng serves as the Moti Lal Rustgi Professor of Physics in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University at Buffalo and co-directs UB's Center for Advanced Semiconductor Technologies. His internationally recognized research program develops nanoscale magnetic materials with applications spanning quantum computing, renewable energy, and biomedical therapeutics.

Zeng's research integrates experimental physics and materials chemistry to engineer novel nanomaterials including 2D heterostructures, core-shell nanoparticles, and chalcogenide perovskites. His group pioneers techniques for manipulating electronic properties in ultrathin materials like tungsten disulfide for quantum information processing, develops barium zirconium sulfide thin films for high-efficiency solar energy conversion, and creates magnetic nanoparticles for targeted cancer hyperthermia therapy. Current work emphasizes spintronic applications and topological magnetism in covalent 2D systems.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant research thrusts in chalcogenide perovskites for optoelectronics, anomalous Hall effects in 2D magnets, and superconducting thin film engineering. Key trends include bandgap tuning via cation coupling, spin-polarized electron injection at nanoscale interfaces, and topological transport phenomena in atomically thin magnets.

His scientific honors include:

• Fellow of the American Physical Society (2024) for pioneering contributions to nanoscale magnetic materials
• NSF CAREER Award (2006)

Zeng maintains continuous funding from the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and SUNY Applied Materials Research Institute. His research group has produced over 200 publications with significant impact on nanomagnetism and semiconductor technologies, while his editorial role at the Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials shapes field discourse.

As co-director of UB's Center for Advanced Semiconductor Technologies, he leads a multidisciplinary team advancing microelectronics research and workforce development for the national semiconductor industry, with focus areas including quantum materials integration and advanced thin-film processing.