Sai Mu

Sai Mu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of South Carolina, part of the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2014) and a B.S. in Physics from Beihang University (2008). Prior to his current position, he held roles as an Associate Specialist (UCSB, 2020–2022), Postdoctoral Researcher (UCSB/ORNL, 2015–2020), and Research Assistant (UNL, 2010–2014).

His research focuses on quantum-mechanical first-principles methods to study electronic structure, transport processes, and magnetic properties in condensed materials. Key areas include spintronics, quantum computing materials, disordered materials, wide-bandgap semiconductors, and quantum defects. His work aims to advance fundamental understanding and enable material design for practical applications like quantum information and energy-efficient electronics.

Dr. Mu’s expertise spans computational tools such as VASP, Quantum ESPRESSO, and LAMMPS, alongside proficiency in Linux and numerical programming. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications and holds a patent on magnetoelectric chromia. Awards include the SSLEEC Outstanding Postdoctoral Researcher Award (2021) and Acta Materialia Outstanding Reviewer Award (2020).

His research has been supported by grants exploring thermal transport in alloys, defect engineering in semiconductors, and phonon-mediated phenomena. Collaborations include Oak Ridge National Lab, UCSB, and international institutions. He advises graduate students on topics like quantum materials and semiconductor interfaces, contributing to cutting-edge advancements in materials science.