Welcome to the
Materials Factory
Research Group

Our work integrates multiple disciplines to explore how surface electronic excitations and chemical reactions contribute to the development of advanced materials. Key areas of research include:

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• Surface Electronic Excitations and Plasmons: We explore how surfaces in advanced materials, such as topological insulators and 2D materials, influence electronic phenomena, particularly plasmons. Plasmons can confine light to nanoscales, enhancing light-matter interactions crucial for photonic applications.

• Thermoplasmonics for Solar Energy Conversion: Using surface plasmons, we harness sunlight to generate localized heat, known as thermoplasmonics. This technology has applications in sustainable water treatment processes like membrane distillation and photothermal crystallization.

• Surface Chemistry and Catalysis: Our group investigates chemical reactions on reactive surfaces using in situ and operando techniques, providing real-time insight into catalytic processes. Understanding surface reactivity helps us design more efficient and selective catalysts for industrial applications.

• Terahertz Photodetectors: We develop innovative photodetectors that operate in the terahertz range, utilizing plasma waves on topological surfaces. These devices have potential applications in non-ionizing imaging systems, such as body scanners.

• Gas Sensing: We explore the reactive surfaces of two-dimensional and topological materials to create highly sensitive and selective gas sensors. These sensors are ideal for detecting trace levels of harmful gases in industrial and environmental settings.