Prof. Tay Beng Kang
Principal Investigator
Prof. Tay Beng Kang is a leading expert in advanced materials science, with a focus on both 2D materials and carbon-based nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, and amorphous carbon. His pioneering research on Filtered Cathodic Vacuum Arc (FCVA) technology has enabled the production of high-quality thin films and nanostructures.
Prof. Tay’s work has expanded into the growth and functionalization of 2D materials, particularly transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), which have significant potential for next-generation electronics, energy solutions, and communication systems. His current focus includes improving low-temperature transfer methods for CNTs, essential for creating flexible, high-performance electronics. He also explores surface modification techniques to enhance material durability, wear resistance, and conductivity, aiming to drive advancements in industries such as telecommunications, electronics, and energy.
As a Principal Investigator, Prof. Tay leads interdisciplinary research addressing challenges in field emission, thermal management, and RF applications. He is also Deputy Director of CINTRA, a collaborative research unit co-founded by CNRS, NTU, and Thales. In addition to his research, he mentors postgraduate students and frequently shares his expertise at international conferences. Through his work, Prof. Tay contributes to create smarter, more energy-efficient technologies across various industries.
Dr. Tan Chong Wei
Senior Research Fellow
Tan Chong Wei’s research focuses on carbon-based materials, including thin film coatings, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and hybrid materials that combine different carbon forms. He develops durable coatings with features like wear resistance, water repellence, and enhanced electrical and thermal properties. His work also includes modifying surfaces using advanced laser technologies and exploring RF and sub-THz applications for electromagnetic shielding and signal transmission. By advancing low-temperature transfer methods for CNTs, his research supports innovations in electronics, protective surfaces, and next-generation communication technologies, making carbon materials more versatile and impactful.
Dr. Wang Xingli
Senior Research Fellow
Wang Xingli enhances two-dimensional (2D) materials for energy conversion, electronics, and sensors. By improving the efficiency of turning heat into electricity through innovative microstructured materials, Xingli explores eco-friendly methods to create graphene sheets with tunable conductivity. His work also includes growing high-quality monolayers of materials like MoS2 and WS2 for flexible electronics and optoelectronics. Additionally, he develops light-sensitive devices for faster, energy-efficient data processing in AI and edge computing. This research aims to advance smarter, greener technologies and enable next-generation electronics.
Dr. Zou Jianping
Senior Research Fellow
Zou Jianping develops carbon nanotube (CNT) materials and explores their potential in electronic applications. He specializes in growing and transferring CNTs using thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and studying their properties. His work also involves designing and fabricating high-frequency components like waveguides, filters, and cavities, which are crucial for improving communication technologies. By harnessing the unique electronical properties of CNTs, Jianping’s research aims to enhance the performance of electronic devices, contributing to advancements in areas such as telecommunications and high-speed electronics.
Dr. Liang Kun
Research Fellow
Liang Kun specializes on titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanomaterials, which have promising uses in solar energy, sensors, and environmental cleanup through photocatalysis. By applying techniques like Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), she investigates the structure and behavior of these materials. Kun also studies how laser treatments can enhance their stability and performance, aiming to make them more efficient for practical applications. Her work contributes to advancing technologies in sustainable energy and environmental protection by improving the capabilities of these cutting-edge nanomaterials.
Dr. Wang Xingguo
Research Fellow
Wang Xingguo grows and modifies two-dimensional (2D) materials using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and flux-assisted techniques to precisely control their phase, composition, and layered structures. He tailors material properties through defect engineering, such as creating vacancies, introducing dopants, or intercalating ions, to tune magnetic, electrical, and dielectric behavior. His experimental toolkit includes laser lithography, e-beam evaporation, and cryogenic magneto-transport measurements. Xingguo’s research enables the development of Hall devices, spintronic components, and ultrathin dielectric layers, aiming to improve the performance and energy efficiency of next-generation electronic systems.
Dr. Luo Manlin
Research Fellow
Luo Manlin studies how stretching or bending two-dimensional (2D) materials can change their optical properties, with potential applications in advanced electronics and photonics. She uses various techniques to explore this, including photoluminescence for analyzing light emission, Raman spectroscopy to understand changes in material structure, and special methods to investigate single-photon emissions. By examining how mechanical strain affects these materials, her research helps improve the design of devices like sensors and quantum technologies, offering new possibilities for controlling light at the nanoscale.
Dr. Zhao Guangchao
Research Fellow
Dr. Zhao Guangchao develops advanced logic circuits using innovative ternary logic systems, which extend beyond traditional binary architectures. His research focuses on designing and fabricating electronic devices and logic gates using nano-fabrication techniques. He also develops and validates compact models to simulate circuit performance using tools like SPICE and Verilog-A. By exploring multi-valued logic and memory systems, Guangchao’s research aims to enhance computational efficiency and advance future computing technologies, particularly in data storage and processing.
Dr. Yip Weng Hou
Research Fellow
Yip Weng Hou improves the efficiency of 2D materials for energy conversion. He fabricates microstructures to study and enhance their thermoelectric (TE) properties, which are essential for converting heat into electricity. By carefully adding ions to these materials, he aims to boost their energy efficiency. His work involves advanced techniques, such as electron-beam lithography, to create precise nanoscale structures. Weng Hou uses tools like atomic force microscopy and cryostats for temperature-based measurements, all contributing to the development of more efficient energy technologies.
Jiang Rongtao
PhD student
Jiang Rongtao’s research focuses on using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to improve high-frequency electronic devices, such as waveguides and other components used in communication and sensing technologies. His work begins with growing CNTs in a controlled lab environment, followed by detailed testing to understand their structure, electrical properties, and performance. By exploring the unique qualities of CNTs, Rongtao aims to design compact, efficient devices that perform well in real-world conditions. This research has the potential to advance the development of next-generation, high-performance electronics with applications in a variety of industries.
Zhao Shengfu
PhD student
Zhao Shengfu works to realize a novel plasma-based system to improve thin film deposition processes, which are essential in producing advanced materials for electronics and other technologies. He designs and tests a hollow cathode plasma source (HCPS) integrated with a scanning device. This system combines the power of plasma generation with the precision of scanning technology, enabling more controlled and efficient material deposition. Shengfu’s work has practical applications in industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, where high-quality thin films are critical for creating faster and more reliable electronic devices.
Gong Yue
PhD student
Gong Yue uses two-dimensional (2D) ferroelectric materials to develop innovative memristors, which are light-sensitive and capable of storing information. These memristors are designed for in-sensor computing, which allows sensors to both detect information and process it at the same time. By reducing the need to transfer data between sensors and processors, Yue’s work aims to make systems faster and more efficient, particularly for technologies like artificial intelligence and real-time data processing. This research could help create smarter, energy-saving systems for neuromorphic and edge computing applications.
Lim Seoung Bum
PhD student
Lim Seoung Bum designs tunneling diodes for high-frequency applications. He grows advanced materials using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques, including cold-wall MOCVD, and fabricates precise two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals heterostructures through wet and dry transfer methods. Leveraging tools like CVD tube furnaces and transfer stations, his work is advancing the miniaturization of electronic components. Seoung Bum’s research has the potential to enable breakthroughs in high-speed communication and next-generation electronics, contributing to more efficient and compact device technologies.
Johannes Stubbe
PhD student
Johannes Stubbe develops structural adhesive films reinforced with vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) to improve bonding strength in composite materials while enabling real-time damage detection. His work addresses the limitations of traditional aerospace adhesives, such as brittleness and poor fatigue resistance, by using VACNTs to bridge cracks, enhance stress transfer, and sense early-stage failures through changes in electrical conductivity. Making use of the high strength of CNTs, Johannes integrates them into epoxy films to create a dual-function adhesive system for high-performance applications in aerospace, automotive, and construction.
Chen Yutong
PhD student
Chen Yutong improves the quality of diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films using plasma-based coating techniques. By working with systems like filtered cathodic vacuum arc and hollow cathode sources, Yutong aims to make the films harder and more uniform. Her work involves studying how radio-frequency and rotating magnetic fields influence the behavior of plasma, as well as simulating particle motion using COMSOL software. These insights allow her to refine the coating process and improve the performance of coated materials, with applications in wear-resistant surfaces, protective coatings, and high-performance electronic devices.
Liu Jingyi
PhD student
Liu Jingyi’s research focuses on developing two-dimensional (2D) multiferroic materials using chemical vapor deposition (CVD). These materials combine electric and magnetic properties, offering exciting potential for future memory devices. He uses specialized imaging techniques like piezoelectric force microscopy (PFM) and magnetic force microscopy (MFM) to examine how these materials behave under electric and magnetic fields. A central part of his work is analyzing hysteresis, which helps determine how reliably the materials can retain information.
Fan Shuyu
Exchange PhD student (South China University of Technology)
Fan Shuyu develops advanced carbon-based coatings, particularly graphene and diamond, for ultra-low friction and high-durability applications. She studies how these materials perform under extreme conditions, such as high temperatures and oxidative environments, aiming to improve their wear resistance and long-term stability. Her work explores coating strategies including plasma-assisted growth and catalytic methods to achieve macroscale superlubricity and corrosion resistance. In her current collaboration, she is investigating the superlubrication behavior of carbon nanotubes. Her research supports innovations in aerospace, energy, and manufacturing, where durable, low-friction materials are essential.
