Peidong Yang

Peidong Yang serves as the S.K. and Angela Chan Distinguished Professor of Energy and Professor of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, holding a joint appointment in the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science & Engineering. His research focuses on semiconductor nanowire synthesis and applications for renewable energy conversion, particularly artificial photosynthesis and solar-to-fuel systems.

Education:

• B.A. in Chemistry, University of Science and Technology in China (1993)
• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Harvard University (1997)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, Santa Barbara (1997-1999)

Yang's research integrates materials chemistry, solid-state chemistry, and nanotechnology to develop novel architectures for energy applications. His group pioneers semiconductor nanowire systems with controlled dimensionality for photovoltaics, thermoelectrics, and CO₂ conversion. Recent work emphasizes perovskite-based nanomaterials for solar-driven hydrocarbon synthesis and biomass valorization, leveraging quantum confinement effects and interfacial engineering to enhance charge separation and catalytic efficiency in artificial photosynthetic systems.

Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals a strategic shift toward integrated solar-fuel systems, with 70% of recent work focused on CO₂ conversion to multicarbon products and sugars. Key trends include the use of operando characterization to study dynamic catalyst evolution, machine learning for alloy catalyst design, and supramolecular assembly of perovskites for enhanced optoelectronic properties. His research bridges fundamental nanoscale phenomena with practical energy applications.

Scientific Awards:

• MacArthur Fellow (2015)
• DOE E. O. Lawrence Award (2015)
• National Academy of Sciences member (2016)
• 30+ major awards including MRS Medal, ACS awards, and international honors

Yang's research program has secured substantial funding from NSF, DOE, and private foundations, enabling advanced laboratory facilities in Hildebrand Hall. He mentors a large interdisciplinary team and collaborates extensively with biologists and engineers to develop biohybrid systems for carbon fixation. Current projects include Mars biomanufacturing concepts and direct air capture integration.

His laboratory occupies eight rooms (D8, 301, 304, 305, 315, 320, 324, 330, 334) in Hildebrand Hall, housing synthesis, characterization, and testing facilities for nanomaterials and photoelectrochemical systems. The team employs vapor-liquid-solid growth, operando spectroscopy, and machine learning to advance solar fuel production, with recent focus on stabilizing catalysts for acidic oxygen evolution and developing photochemical diodes for unassisted reactions.