Abstract
We are interested in exploring the rational design of materials and functionality  at the atomic level to develop next-generation photonics and photocatalysts with performance far beyond what can be achieved now.  These include extremely flexible optoelectronic circuits with superior computing capabilities, dynamics photonics with fast-switching optical responses, and low-cost high-efficiency photocatalysts for solar water splitting.   Our focus is on atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) materials, in particular, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) like MoS2, WS2, MoSe2, and WSe2.
In this talk, I will show our efforts in engineering the composition and structure of  2D TMDC materials to realize novel photonic and catalytic functionality, and show how we solve some of the major challenges for employing these 2D materials in the development of useful devices.  These include the development of techniques for the controlled scalable synthesis and perfect transfer of 2D materials, the better understanding of related light-matter interactions and exciton dynamics, as well as the discovery of new catalytic active sites in the materials. The techniques and the fundamental understanding that we have acquired have clearly indicated the promise of 2D materials and paved the way toward our final destination of developing the next-generation photonics and photocatalyts

Biography
Linyou Cao is an associate professor in Materials Science and Engineering at North Carolina State University.  He obtained his PhD degree from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University in 2010, and held a Miller Research Fellowship at the University of California Berkeley for one year prior to joining the faculty of NC State in 2011. Dr. Cao’s research interest focuses on 2D materials and devices, including flexible devices, catalysis, and photonics.  He has won numerous prestigious awards, including NSF CAREER Award, Young Investigator Award from the Army Research Office, and Miller Research Fellowship.