You Zhou Receives NSF CAREER Award

You Zhou, an assistant professor in the University of Maryland (UMD) Department of Materials Science & Engineering (MSE), is the recipient of a National Science Foundation (NSF) Career Award.

His proposal, entitled "CAREER: Crystalizing electrons in coupled atomically thin semiconductors," aims to study how electrons in a semiconductor can self-arrange into a periodic pattern, a crystal, and how such a crystal melts as a result of both thermal and quantum effects. The project utilizes semiconductors that are only a few atoms thick, so-called two-dimensional materials, to realize electron crystals and explores methods to probe and control the crystallization of electrons. The controlled melting of electron crystals due to quantum effects could form a novel platform for realizing quantum electronic and optoelectronic devices.

Zhou received his Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Harvard University in 2015 and was a postdoctoral scholar at Harvard before joining the University of Maryland. Currently, he is leading an experimental group studying the fundamental materials and device physics of quantum materials, to develop next-generation information and energy technologies. Particular materials systems include complex oxides with strong electron correlation effects, 2D materials, and their interfaces. In 2018, Zhou was named a Forbes “30 Under 30 in Science” for his pioneering efforts.

The CAREER (Faculty Early Career Development) Program supports exemplary junior faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization. Activities pursued by early-career faculty build a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research.

To learn more about the Zhou research group, please follow this link.

Published December 3, 2021