Research

Professor Wei's research focuses on interdisciplinary cutting-edge nanoscience and nanotechnology. Research interests include advanced functional materials and nanostructures, fundamental studies in electron transfer, localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), and applications in biosensors & bioelectronics, nanobiomedicine, energy and environments by employing methods of materials synthesis, nanofabrication, electrochemistry, microscopy, spectroscopy, and modeling and simulations. The nanobioelectronics thrust focuses on the electrochemistry of immobilized redox species and biomimetics electron transfer studies, and the applications in sensing. The nanoplasmonics thrust combines nanofabrication, synthesis and bottom-up approach to develop unique nanophotonic structures for light-matter interaction studies and miniaturized chip-based devices for biosensor and biomedicine applications. The advanced materials thrust is focused on developing new nanomaterials or nanocomposites for biomedicine, energy conversion and storage, and environment applications.

The current research topics are:

  1. Nanobioelectronics and biomimetics

  • Artificial bio-interfaces and biomimetics

  • Heterogeneous electron transfer studies

  • Electochemical and electrical biosensors and sensors

2. Nanoplasmonics and nanophotonics

  • SPR of nanostructured metal films

  • Nano-opto-fluidics platform and sensing applications

  • LSPR-fiber-optic detector and miniaturization

3. Advanced functional materials

  • Functional materials and nanocomposites for energy and environments

  • New nanoparticles and quantum dots for biomedicine

  • Environmental remediation and sustainability

Research Support:

Grant:

  • NSF/CBET: 1511194, 2015-2019 (PI)

  • NIH/R15: 1R15HL129221-01, 2016-2019 (Co-I)

  • NSF/I-Corps: 1824872, 2018-2019 (PI)

  • NSF/EiR: 1832134 2018-2022 (Co-PI)

  • NC Biotech Center/TEG 2019-2021 (PI)

  • NIH/R15: 1R15HL150664-01 2020-2023 (Co-I)