Heayoung Yoon

Heayoung Yoon serves as an Associate Professor in the Electrical & Computer Engineering department and Adjunct Associate Professor in Materials Science & Engineering at the University of Utah's College of Engineering. Her research focuses on advanced fabrication and nanoscale characterization of optoelectronic materials and devices, with particular expertise in engineering micro/nanostructures of semiconductor materials to enhance functionality and stability in optoelectronic devices including translucent solar cells and radiation-hard systems.

Dr. Yoon earned her BS in Physics with a Computer Science minor from Chungnam National University in South Korea, an MS in Physics from Pohang University of Science and Technology, and a PhD in Electrical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University. Her academic journey includes positions at Samsung, Penn State University, and NIST where she conducted research on molecular junction devices, pillar array solar cells, and near-field optoelectronic imaging techniques.

Her research interests span multiple cutting-edge areas in energy technology and materials science. Dr. Yoon leads investigations into radial junction solar cells that decouple light absorption from carrier collection, thin-film solar cells with enhanced efficiency through microstructural optimization, translucent solar cells for diverse applications like skylights and self-powered facades, multi-probe microscopy techniques for nanoscale characterization, and molecular junction devices for advanced optoelectronics. Her work bridges fundamental research with practical applications to address global sustainability challenges.

Analysis of Dr. Yoon's 15 most recent publications reveals a strong focus on solar cell technology and nanoscale characterization. Her research consistently explores patterned back contacts, micro/nanostructured solar cells, and perovskite materials, with particular attention to grain boundaries, surface potential variations, and carrier dynamics at the nanoscale. The publications demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches combining electron microscopy, optical spectroscopy, and device engineering to advance photovoltaic technologies.

• Outstanding Teaching Award (2024, ECE Department)
• Chair's Award (2022, ECE Department)
• CAREER Award (2021, National Science Foundation)

Dr. Yoon actively mentors students through thesis research and undergraduate research projects, and leads the Yoon Research Group which develops in-situ, local measurement techniques using electron beams and focused light sources. Her lab focuses on elucidating structure-property relationships in micro/nanomaterials and devices, with applications in energy, optoelectronics, and chemical and biomedical fields. The group leverages cross-disciplinary collaborations to advance energy technologies, particularly in creating exploratory optoelectronic systems that address emerging global challenges in sustainability.