Materials Engineering

SYNTHESIS AND HYBRIDIZATION OF INTELLIGENT, MULTIFUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

The primary objective of my research is to develop novel materials through inorganic synthesis and hybridization with organic and polymeric systems. These materials are designed for the fabrication of soft microelectronic and optoelectronic devices, with an emphasis on understanding their electrical, photonic, and mechanical properties. In parallel, I explore and develop smart materials with advanced optical, acoustic, and mechanical functionalities, aiming to expand their applications in healthcare devices and biomedical robotics. Ultimately, my research goal is to engineer intelligent materials that exhibit novel electrical, photonic, mechanical, and acoustic properties and seamlessly integrate them into human-friendly electronic devices. 

ELECTRONIC AND PHOTONIC MATERIALS FOR MICRO-, OPTO-ELECTRONIC DEVICES

 
My work focuses on developing advanced electronic and photonic materials, along with device fabrication processes, for direct applications in the semiconductor and electronics industries. This includes the development of functional nanomaterial deposition techniques, such as lithography, coating, evaporation, and printing, for integrating circuit interconnects, micro-transistors, and light-emitting devices into high-density configurations over large areas. Additionally, I explore novel 2D materials (carbon, MXene), perovskites, and rare-earth elements (REE), which provide inherent conducting, semiconducting properties, superior transparency, and stability under mechanical strain, moisture, and heat, key requirements for next-generation soft and wearable electronic devices.

My research in this area focuses on the following topics, with publications [ ] indicating my lead-authored papers.

• Development and integration of 0D, 1D, and 2D semiconductor and photonic nanomaterials for highly-integrated, large-area, transparent, deformable (soft) electronic and optoelectronic devices

[ACS Nano (2020), Nano Lett. (2021), Adv. Sci. (2021), ACS Nano (2022), Light-Sci. Appl. (2023), Adv. Opt. Mater. (2024)]  

• 2D materials for functional devices with environmental stability against mechanical strain, humidity, and heat

[ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces (2020), Adv. Funct. Mater. (2023), Adv. Sci. (2024), Adv. Healthcare Mater. (2025)]

• Soft dielectric materials for wearable self-powered energy harvester and tactile sensors

[Nano Energy (2018), Adv. Mater. (2018), Nano Energy (2022)]

OPTICALLY AND ACOUSTICALLY INTELLIGENT MATERIALS FOR BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

 My work also explores the optical, acoustic, and mechanical properties of materials at the quantum, atomic, nano-, micro-, and interfacial levels, and utilizes these properties in the development of biomedical agents and devices. I have investigated a variety of photonic nanomaterials responsive to ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared (NIR) light, including metal halide perovskites, upconversion nanoparticles, MXene, and covalent organic frameworks. I focus on their quantum, energy, and luminescent characteristics and explore how these properties can be harnessed in biomedicines and converted into other forms of energy, such as acoustic, thermal, and mechanical.

 Recently, my research has extended to the relatively unexplored acoustic responses of nanostructured materials, particularly for particle trapping and manipulation in in vivo environments. Additionally, I am investigating methods to achieve unprecedented mechanical strength by combining crystalline and amorphous phases. Given the ability of near-infrared (NIR) lights and acoustic waves to penetrate tissue non-invasively, my research aims to translate these material-level insights into biomedical applications.

 My research in this field can be summarized as follows, with publications [ ] indicating my lead-authored papers related to each domain.

• Optical properties of photonic materials and their energy conversion into other forms

[ACS Nano (2022), Adv. Funct. Mater. (2023), Adv. Opt. Mater. (2024), Adv. Mater. (2025)]

• Development of ultrasound wave-responsive smart materials and their application in biomedical engineering [Adv. Mater. (2024)]

• Development of biocompatible and conductive nanomaterials for Implantable electrodes

[Adv. Healthcare Mater. (2025)]