Wang Group
Science at the Atomic and Molecular Scales

Electronics miniaturization is approaching a major paradigm shift because silicon-based transistor is reaching its physical limit and becoming economically unfeasible. This poses one of the top challenges in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Visions for what we can do with future electronics depend on finding ways to go beyond the capabilities of silicon. One promising approach to push it forward is to use molecules, the smallest stable material in nature, as active electronic element, interconnects and sensing unit. This idea offers a unique opportunity to create new paradigms for quantum mechanically-dictated devices with atomic precision. It also holds significant promise for the development of smaller, faster, eco-friendly and bio-compatible devices. The quantum properties of molecules, which is not possible in bulk solid-state devices, holds significant promise for novel physical phenomena beyond conventional electronics. Moreover, the atomic- and nano-scale confinement of a single molecule render itself an ideal testbed for exploring low-dimensional quantum transport and examining the validity of classical physical and chemical laws at nanometer scale. 

 

Our research group focuses on understanding and controlling transport (electron, phonon, photon and spin), energy conversion and sensing at the atomic- and  molecular-scale. Specifically, through developing state-of-the-art experimental techniques, we construct molecular-scale transport devices and explore how charge transport (electron and hole) and energy conversion (e.g. heat/light to electricity) are governed by molecular structures and influenced by different external stimuli, such as heat, light, magnetic field and chemical environment. We will leverage insights from our research to design robust and energy efficient molecular devices and propose new directions of applications, with the ultimate goal of addressing grand challenges in computing, energy harvesting, and sensing.