Chirality is one of the most ubiquitous properties in nature. Inspired by how chirality can be harnessed to achieve unique optical and electronic properties, our lab aims to design new types of chiral materials that mimic natural chirality. By leveraging chirality as a structural and functional motif, we aim to establish new paradigms in energy conversion, optical phenomena, and spin-controlled chemistry.

Our lab's ultimate goal, "Exploring the World of Chirality" aims to leverage the universal principles of chirality for innovative technologies ranging from quantum technology to sustainable energy applications.

Chirality Transfer for New Type of Chiral Semiconductor

We investigate how chirality, commonly observed in organic molecules, can be transferred and imprinted into inorganic materials. Through molecular design, surface functionalization, and controlled synthesis, we break the structural symmetry in inorganic crystal lattices, opening pathways to induce unique properties that are inaccessible in achiral systems. This chirality transfer phenomenon enables a bridge between the organic and inorganic worlds, creating hybrid systems with excellent functionality. 

Chiroptics Across Broad Wavelengths 

By using chiral materials, we explore chiral optical phenomena (chiroptics) over a wide spectral range, from the visible, near IR to the terahertz regime. Our studies include circular dichroism (CD) and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL), with the aim of amplifying and broadening optical response in solid-state and hybrid materials. By controlling chirality at multiple dimension scales, we strive to uncover novel optical properties and expand the practical applications of chiral photonics. 

Chirality-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect

Leveraging the Chiral-Induced Spin Selectivity (CISS) effect, we investigate how chiral structures can selectively transport spin-polarized electrons. This property provides a unique platform to control chemical reaction pathways through spin polarization. By integrating CISS into electrochemical and photochemical systems, we seek to develop novel spin-control strategies for energy conversion.

Contact Address: sunima@sungshin.ac.kr