Yang Yang

Yang Yang is a Distinguished Professor and Department Chair of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), holding the Carol and Lawrence E. Tannas Jr. Endowed Chair in Engineering. His research focuses on functional electronic devices for cost-effective applications, with primary expertise in solar cells, thin film transistors, and light emitting devices.

He earned his B.S. in Physics from National Cheng-Kung University (1982), followed by M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Physics and Applied Physics from the University of Massachusetts (1988, 1992). His academic journey established the foundation for his groundbreaking work in photovoltaics and nanomaterials.

Dr. Yang's research program integrates rational materials design (organic semiconductors, hybrid perovskites, inorganic nanomaterials), precise control of film morphology and crystal growth, fundamental electrical property analysis, nanoscale structure-property investigations, and advanced interface engineering. This comprehensive approach has revolutionized perovskite and organic solar cell development, particularly through innovations in defect passivation, tandem architectures, and stability enhancement. His work bridges fundamental science with practical device engineering to address renewable energy challenges.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a dominant focus on perovskite solar cell optimization (60% of works), with significant contributions to organic photovoltaics (27%) and thin-film transistor technology (13%). Key trends include molecular-level defect control, non-fullerene acceptor development, vapor-assisted processing techniques, and agrivoltaics applications—culminating in record efficiencies and commercial viability pathways for next-generation solar technologies.

His exceptional contributions have earned prestigious recognitions:

• Carol and Lawrence E. Tannas Jr. Endowed Chair in Engineering (2011)
• Fellow of the American Physical Society (2015)
• World's Most Influential Scientific Minds (2016)
• Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2019)
• Multiple Highest-Cited Paper awards (2008-2010)

As leader of UCLA's Yang Lab—one of the world's top three perovskite research groups (Times Higher Education, 2019)—he directs major federally funded projects advancing agrivoltaics and translucent solar technologies. His mentorship has cultivated numerous industry and academic leaders, while his 2023 breakthroughs in greenhouse-integrated solar roofs demonstrate practical applications transforming agricultural energy systems through light-management engineering.