Professor Thomas Bein is affiliated with the Department of Chemistry at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) , where he leads the Functional Nanosystems research group. His work focuses on synthesizing and characterizing nanostructured materials with applications in energy, catalysis, and biomedical delivery. Mesoporous nanoparticles for drug delivery Semiconductor nano-morphologies for photovoltaics Photoelectrochemical water splitting Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) Electroactive networks His research emphasizes atomic-scale control of material architectures using self-assembly, hydrogen bonding, and covalent interactions, enabling precise tuning of electronic, optical, and catalytic properties. A review of his recent publications reveals cutting-edge investigations into covalent organic frameworks (COFs), perovskite-inspired solar materials, and functional nanoparticle systems. Key trends include optimizing energy conversion efficiency, enhancing stability in optoelectronic devices, and exploring bio-compatible nanocarriers for targeted therapies. Professor Bein’s group actively contributes to interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of chemistry, physics, and biomedical engineering, with ongoing collaborations in solar energy, sustainable materials, and nanomedicine.
Professor CHEN Wei (National University of Singapore) holds the Provost's Chair Professorship (2023-2026) and serves as Vice-Dean (Research) with joint appointments in the Departments of Chemistry and Physics. His research focuses on molecular-scale interface engineering for 2D materials-based devices and interface-controlled nanocatalysis in energy/environmental applications. PhD in Material Science, NUS (2004) Lee Kuan Yew Research Fellow (2006-2008) Established Surface and Interface Lab (2009) Director, NUS Research Institute (Fuzhou) His work on 2D optoelectronic memory (Nat. Comm. 2018), Kagome lattice design (Nano Lett. 2020), and single-atom catalysis (Nat. Comm. 2021) has been recognized by multiple high-impact publications and the Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher status (2017-2021). Awards include the NRF Investigatorship (2023) , Mitsui Chemicals-SNIC Industry Award (2020) , and Singapore Young Scientist Award (2012) . Grants from NUS, Singapore MOE, CREATE/CRP programs, and A*STAR support his exploration of interface engineering for neuromorphic computing and energy-efficient nanocatalysts . Current projects include monolayer blue phosphorus synthesis and solid electrolyte interphase engineering for lithium batteries.
Chris G. Van de Walle is the Herbert Kroemer Distinguished Professor in the Department of Materials at the University of California, Santa Barbara's College of Engineering. As a member of the National Academy of Engineering and fellow of multiple prestigious scientific societies including the American Physical Society and Materials Research Society, he leads the Computational Materials Group which is part of UCSB's strong computational science cluster within the Materials Department. His research interests focus on novel electronic materials, particularly wide-band-gap semiconductors (III-V nitrides, II-VI compounds), transparent conductors, complex oxides, loss mechanisms in light emitters, two-dimensional conductors, quantum information science, and the physics and chemistry of hydrogen interactions with solids. His group uses first-principles computational techniques to study atomic and electronic structure of crystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous materials, interfaces, surfaces, defects, and heterojunctions. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on semiconductor materials for quantum technologies, with particular emphasis on GaN, Ga 2 O 3 , and related compounds. His work combines computational materials science with applications in optoelectronics, quantum information, and energy technologies, demonstrating consistent innovation in understanding defects and their role in material properties. Major Awards and Recognitions: Aneesur Rahman Prize for Computational Physics (APS) Materials Theory Award (MRS) Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship (DoD) John Bardeen Award (TMS) Medard W. Welch Award (AVS) Highly Cited Researcher (Clarivate Analytics) Professor Van de Walle has mentored numerous successful researchers, including Dr. Fangzhou Zhao (Corbett Prize winner) and Dr. Mark Turiansky (APS Nicholas Metropolis Award recipient). His group maintains strong connections with the UCSB Quantum Foundry and the Solid State Lighting and Energy Electronics Center, demonstrating collaborative research efforts across multiple disciplines. The group actively investigates defects for quantum information science, loss mechanisms in light emitters, nitride semiconductors, halide perovskites, oxides, and hydrogen interactions with materials.
Prof. dr. ir. C.H. (Caspar) van der Wal is a Full Professor in Physics of Quantum Devices at the Faculty of Science and Engineering , University of Groningen. His research focuses on spintronic and quantum information functionalities using electron/nuclear spins in semiconductor devices, combining quantum optical and electron transport methods. PhD in Quantum Transport (Delft University of Technology, 2001) Postdoc in Quantum Optics at Harvard University (2001-2003) Scientific Director of Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials (2016-2022) Research keywords include Quantum Optics , Spintronics , Quantum Information , and Semiconductor Physics . Recent work explores 2D/3D semiconductor heterostructures , spin defects in SiC , and transition metal dichalcogenides . His scientific contributions have earned him the NWO-Vidi Grant (2005) , ERC Starting Grant (2011) , and multiple teaching awards. Publications since 2001 span topics like quantum superpositions in superconducting circuits, spin relaxation in quantum dots, and telecom-ready spin centers in silicon carbide. Grants : NWO-Vidi (2005), ERC Starting Grant (2011) Leadership : Scientific Director, Zernike Institute (2016-2022) Teaching : Teacher of the Year (2015), Education Prize (2012) Current affiliations include the Physics of Nanodevices group at the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials. Collaborations span institutions like MIT, Harvard, and AMOLF.
Professor Mikko Haataja is a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University's School of Engineering and Applied Science. Holding a Ph.D. from McGill University (2003), he leads the Haataja Research Group focused on theoretical and computational approaches to materials science and physical biology. His office is located in D404C Engineering Quadrangle, and he serves as an advisor to numerous graduate students working at the intersection of physics, materials science, and biology. Professor Haataja's research spans multiple domains including theoretical and computational materials science, physics of materials, and physical biology. His work examines microstructure formation during solid-solid phase transformations and solidification, growth of electrodeposited thin films and quantum heterostructures, dynamics of driven interfaces with mobile impurities, recrystallization kinetics, cell signaling mechanisms, and the regulation & self-organization of 'lipid rafts' in plasma membranes. His group has pioneered concepts in 'dynamically programmable electromechanical 2D materials' and investigates phase separation phenomena in biological systems. His publication record demonstrates significant contributions across several key areas: intracellular phase transitions and biomolecular condensates, 2D transition metal dichalcogenide materials, lipid bilayer membrane physics, solid oxide fuel cells and batteries, and organic semiconductor thin films. His most recent work focuses on amyloid-like fibril formation, liquid-liquid phase separation in biological contexts, and defect engineering in 2D materials, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach that bridges physics, materials science, and biology. Professor Haataja actively mentors graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, with numerous co-authored publications indicating strong advising relationships. His research program encompasses multiple funded projects investigating materials for energy conversion and storage, intracellular organization mechanisms, and novel 2D material systems. The Haataja Group maintains strong collaborations with other Princeton researchers and external institutions, particularly in the fields of biophysics and advanced materials. The Haataja Group operates as a dynamic research laboratory employing computational modeling and theoretical approaches to address fundamental questions in materials science and biophysics. Their work spans from atomic-scale simulations to continuum modeling, with particular emphasis on phase-field crystal models, membrane biophysics, and 2D material systems. The group maintains specialized computational infrastructure for multiscale modeling and collaborates extensively with experimental groups to validate theoretical predictions.
Dr. Can Bayram is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He serves as a resident faculty member at the Nick Holonyak, Jr. Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory and leads the Innovative Compound Semiconductor Laboratory (ICORLAB). His research focuses on semiconductor technologies, particularly cubic GaN and diamond-based devices for next-generation electronics and photonics. Current research includes cubic GaN quantum wells for green LEDs Diamond semiconductor devices for high-power applications Photonic technologies and nanoscale device fabrication Investigation of efficiency cliff phenomena in micro-LEDs Recent Article Trends : His work spans photonic devices, power electronics, and nanoscale systems, with particular emphasis on diamond photoconductive switches and cubic GaN efficiency improvements. Notable contributions include record-breaking diamond diodes and efficiency droop mitigation in green LEDs. Scientific Awards : IEEE Electron Devices Society Early Career Award NSF CAREER Award AFOSR Young Investigator Award Dean's Award for Early Innovation (2024) SPIE Fellow (2025) Editor's Pick & Front Cover Article, Applied Physics Letters (2024) Dr. Bayram teaches courses in electronics, including ECE 110: Introduction to Electronics, ECE 443: LEDs and Solar Cells, and ECE 500: ECE Colloquium.
Carlos Errando Herranz serves as an Assistant Professor in the Quantum and Computer Engineering Division at Delft University of Technology's Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) and as a Principal Investigator at QuTech. His research focuses on developing scalable quantum photonic integrated circuits using semiconductor fabrication processes compatible with existing infrastructure for quantum internet applications. He received Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Universitat Politècnica de València (2013) and a PhD in Micro and Nanosystems from KTH Royal Institute of Technology (2018), followed by postdoctoral positions at KTH and MIT as a Marie Curie fellow. His lab investigates quantum photonics, integrated photonics, and color centers with emphasis on diamond tin-vacancy systems and silicon-based quantum emitters. Recent publications demonstrate strong expertise in tuning quantum emitters via strain engineering, heterogeneous integration of spin-photon interfaces, and MEMS-enabled reconfigurable photonics. Key advancements include cavity-enhanced quantum memories, superconducting detector integration, and spectral control of solid-state emitters for quantum networks. Dr. Herranz advises seven graduate students including PhD candidates Vicky Dominguez Tubio, Arjan Mejas, Matteo Pirro, Christian Primavera, Jan Riegelmeyer, and Elena Volkova, along with Master student Bram Zijlstra. His team comprises postdocs Lin Jin and Pat Laferriere, and interns Elsa Herranz Valiente and Ernest Staffetti Cruañas. The Errando Herranz Lab operates within QuTech's Quantum Internet Division at Delft University, maintaining specialized facilities for nanofabrication and optical characterization of quantum photonic devices. Current research directions include developing CMOS-compatible quantum memories operating at telecom wavelengths and scalable architectures for quantum repeaters.
Yan Liu is a full professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science at the University of Southern California (USC), serving as Director of the USC Machine Learning Center within the Viterbi School of Engineering. He holds courtesy appointments in the Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical Engineering and the Quantitative and Computational Biology Department. Before joining USC in 2010, he was a research staff member at IBM's T.J. Watson Research Center. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University. His research focuses on machine learning for time series, physics-informed AI, and interpretable models, with applications in healthcare, sustainability, and social media. Notable projects include developing AI for surgical training, analyzing misinformation on social platforms, and predicting cancer treatment outcomes. He has held leadership roles in top conferences like ICLR and ACM KDD, and serves as Associate Editor-in-Chief of TPAMI and Board Member of ICLR. Education: Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University Affiliations: USC Machine Learning Center, Viterbi School of Engineering Service: General Chair (ICLR 2023, ACM KDD 2020), Program Chair roles across multiple conferences His lab, the Melady Group, emphasizes foundational ML advancements and interdisciplinary applications. Recent work includes physics-aware neural networks and time-series foundation models.
Professor Jasper van Wezel is a distinguished academic in the field of Condensed Matter Theory at the University of Amsterdam's Faculty of Science, where he serves as Professor in the Institute for Theoretical Physics (ITFA) within the Institute of Physics. With a career spanning over two decades, he has progressed from Assistant Professor (2014-2016) to Associate Professor (2016-2024) and currently holds the position of Professor since 2024. His academic journey began with a PhD in theoretical condensed matter physics from Leiden University in 2007, followed by prestigious fellowships at Argonne National Laboratory and Homerton College, Cambridge. PhD in theoretical condensed matter physics (cum laude), Leiden University, 2007 Master's diploma in theoretical condensed matter physics (cum laude), Leiden University, 2003 Dutch VWO Diploma (cum laude), Dalton Scholengemeenschap, Den Haag, 1997 US High School Diploma (cum laude), Sanford High School, Maine, USA, 1998 Professor van Wezel's research focuses on several interconnected areas within Condensed Matter Theory. His work explores competing instabilities in Charge Density Wave materials, including Superconductivity and Charge Order, Combined Charge and Orbital Order, and Transition-metal dichalcogenides. He has made significant contributions to Topology in Condensed Matter, particularly examining the Role of crystal symmetries and Topology in non-Hermitian systems. A major theme in his research involves investigating the Connections between Quantum and Classical behaviour, with special emphasis on Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking both in equilibrium (The role of the Thin Spectrum) and dynamically (Spontaneous loss of Unitarity). Analysis of Professor van Wezel's recent publications reveals a strong focus on quantum phenomena in condensed matter systems, with particular attention to topological aspects, symmetry breaking, and connections to fundamental physics concepts like black hole thermodynamics. His work often bridges theoretical concepts with potential experimental realizations, as evidenced by studies on electron patterns in materials like TaS2 and theoretical frameworks for understanding quantum phase transitions. Bristol Physics Teaching Award (2014) Students' Award for Outstanding Teaching (2014) Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2014) Aneesur Rahman Fellowship at Argonne National Laboratory (2010-2012) Junior Research Fellowship at Homerton College, Cambridge (2007-2010) Physics 'Discovery of the year' by Leiden University Physics department (2005) 'Onderwijsprijs Natuurkunde' teaching award (2004/2005) Professor van Wezel has secured numerous research grants including an ENW-M grant (2023), an ENW-Groot project with Leiden University (2021), and a prestigious VIDI personal grant from NWO (2014). He has supervised over 50 students at various levels, including PhD candidates, MSc students, and BSc students, fostering the next generation of physicists. His leadership extends to organizing conferences, serving on PhD committees, and holding administrative roles such as chair of the educational committee for the Dutch Research School in Theoretical Physics. His research group at the University of Amsterdam's Institute for Theoretical Physics maintains active collaborations with institutions worldwide, including Leiden University, University of Cambridge, University of Bristol, and research centers in France, Germany, and Poland. The group's work combines analytical theoretical approaches with computational methods to tackle fundamental questions in quantum condensed matter physics.
Farhan Rana is the Joseph P. Ripley Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Cornell University. He earned his BS, MS, and PhD from MIT and leads the Semiconductor Optoelectronics Group at Cornell, focusing on graphene, 2D materials, and semiconductor nanostructures. His research bridges experimental condensed matter physics and optoelectronic device engineering. Current Research Focus Ultrafast Spectroscopy Terahertz Microphotonics Quantum Optics Plasmonics and Nanostructures His group specializes in graphene optoelectronics , terahertz devices , and ultrafast semiconductor lasers . Recent work explores valley-dependent optical phenomena, exciton dynamics, and plasmon-phonon interactions in 2D materials. Key trends in his publications include graphene plasmonics , MoS2 photodetectors , and terahertz spectroscopy . He has contributed to foundational studies on carrier relaxation in graphene and quantum cascade lasers . 3× Michael A. Tien Excellence in Teaching Award (2006, 2010, 2017) NSF Career Award (2004) DARPA Young Faculty Investigator (2008) IEEE 'Most Downloaded Paper' (2008) MRS Best Paper Ribbon (2004) His students have received prestigious fellowships and awards, with alumni like Jared Strait (National Defense Science Fellowship) and Haining Wang (Cornell Best PhD Thesis). The group actively mentors graduate and undergraduate researchers.
Dr. Ling Yin is an Associate Professor in the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Adelaide, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology. She joined the University of Adelaide in 2018 as an Associate Professor in manufacturing and served as Faculty Research Theme Leader in Advanced Manufacturing from 2019 to 2022. Dr. Yin leads multi-institutional projects on advanced manufacturing funded by Defence SA (2024-2025) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (2025-2028). Dr. Yin's educational background includes B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from Huazhong University of Science & Technology in Wuhan, China. Her academic career spans five countries across three continents, including positions at Tianjin University in China, Kumamoto University in Japan, Kansas State University in the USA, the Australian National University and James Cook University in Australia, the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) in the USA, and A*STAR Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) in Singapore. Dr. Yin's research focuses on manufacturing and mechanical characterization of advanced materials with applications in optics, semiconductors, mechanical structures, dental restorations, osteoporosis/osteoarthritis studies, and marine/animal sciences. Her work involves extensive collaborations across multiple disciplines. Her recent publications demonstrate expertise in ultrasonic vibration-assisted machining of dental ceramics, particularly zirconia and lithium silicate glass-ceramics, as well as advanced characterization techniques like micro-CT and in-situ SEM testing for understanding material behavior at micro and nano scales. JSPS Invitation Fellowship from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Japanese Government Scholarship from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan Supervisor for a PhD Thesis cum laude with a Medal of Excellence awarded by James Cook University in 2017 Supervisor for a Best Honours Project in Mechanical Engineering at Ingenuity awarded by the University of Adelaide in 2023 Dr. Yin is actively involved in supervising higher degree research students and has available PhD projects in 2025 focused on ultrasonic-vibration assisted manufacturing techniques for dental applications. She has successfully led international academic delegations through the New Colombo Plan to manufacturing facilities in Singapore and Japan. Dr. Yin is a senior member of the North American Manufacturing Research Institution (NAMRI) and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), and also a member of several professional organizations including ASME, OSA, American Ceramic Society, ASM International, and SPIE.
Prof. Alexander Holleitner leads the Chair of Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials at the Department of Physics, Technical University of Munich , under the Walter Schottky Institute. His research focuses on ultrafast optoelectronics, quantum optoelectronics, and excitonic systems in nanoscale circuits. Research Directions : Ultrafast optoelectronics, quantum optoelectronics, excitonic systems, THz time-domain spectroscopy, and nanofabrication of mixed organic/inorganic systems. Publications : Recent work spans hyperbolic polaritons, interlayer excitons, graphene nano-gap dynamics, and defect engineering in 2D materials. Collaborations include interdisciplinary projects with groups studying semiconductor heterostructures and quantum technologies. His lab welcomes students and researchers interested in experimental physics, quantum electronics, and nanofabrication.
Andras Kis is a Full Professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the School of Engineering (STI) across multiple institutes including the Institute of Electrical Engineering (IEL), Institute of Materials Science (IMX), and teaching programs in Electrical Engineering (SEL-ENS). He leads the Laboratory of Nanoscale Electronics and Structures (LANES) and serves on the PhD program committee for Microsystems and Microelectronics. PhD, EPFL (2003) MS, Physics, University of Zagreb (1999) Baccalaureate, MIOC High School Research Focus: Pioneering work on 2D materials for electronic and optoelectronic devices, particularly transition metal dichalcogenides like MoS2 and PtSe2. His research spans: Transistor design with atomically thin semiconductors Excitonic devices and valleytronics Nanofluidics and ionic logic Optical properties of 2D heterostructures Scalable fabrication of 2D materials Defect engineering and doping techniques Scientific Impact: Based on analysis of 15 most recent publications, his work focuses on advancing 2D materials for next-generation electronics through innovations in: Van der Waals heterostructures Thermoelectric and optoelectronic applications Nanofabrication techniques Spintronic and quantum transport phenomena Memristive and neuromorphic devices Characterization of electronic and optical properties Awards & Recognition: Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Lotfi A. Zadeh Award for Emerging Technologies (2024) Highly Cited Researcher (Clarivate Analytics) Teaching & Academic Leadership: Currently teaching courses including Lab in Nanoelectronics , Physical Models for Micro and Nanosystems , and Semiconductor Devices II . He has supervised over 20 PhD students in his research group at EPFL. Laboratory & Collaborations: Directs the Laboratory of Nanoscale Electronics and Structures (LANES) which focuses on fundamental and applied research in 2D materials and nanoelectronic devices. His work bridges materials science, condensed matter physics, and microelectronics engineering.
Dr. Christopher M. Wolverton is a Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University , where he leads the Wolverton Research Group . His work focuses on computational materials science with applications in energy sustainability , particularly in batteries , hydrogen storage , and thermoelectrics . PhD in Physics from University of California, Berkeley BS in Physics (summa cum laude) from University of Texas, Austin His research leverages first-principles quantum mechanical simulations and machine learning to enable virtual materials synthesis before laboratory testing. The group specializes in hybrid computational methods integrating Density Functional Theory (DFT) , Monte Carlo simulations , and phase-field microstructural models . The article portfolio shows leadership in energy storage materials , with recent work on data-driven nanoparticle facet control , mixed-anion semiconductors , and machine learning-accelerated discovery . Publications span top journals including Nature Energy , Nature Materials , and Science . 2006 Ford Motor Company Technical Achievement Award 2005 Ford Patent & Publication Awards 2003 Ford Environmental/Physical Sciences Recognition As advisor to PhD candidates Zhenpeng Yao , Shiqiang Hao , and Shane Patel , he fosters interdisciplinary research connecting materials informatics with experimental validation . The group maintains active collaborations with Argonne National Lab and MIT/Harvard teams.
Dane Morgan is a Professor in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Engineering. His research focuses on computational materials science for materials design, including ab initio electronic structure modeling, multiscale methods, and machine learning applications in materials discovery. His work spans nuclear materials, battery and fuel cell electrodes, and electronic materials. Education : PhD, 1998, University of California, Berkeley MS, 1994, University of California, Berkeley BA, 1992, Swarthmore College Research Interests : Computational materials science, ab initio methods for electronic structure and thermokinetics, machine learning for materials discovery, electrochemical systems modeling, and applications in nuclear materials, batteries, and electronic materials. His work integrates advanced computational techniques with experimental validation. Scientific Awards : 2024 APL Materials, Editors Pick 2023 Microscopy and Microanalysis Best Paper Award (Instrumentation and Software category) 2023 IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science Best Paper Award 2023 Kellet Mid-Career Award 2015 TMS Materials Genome Initiative Ambassador 2006 3M Technical Nontenured Faculty Grant
