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Zetian Mi
Updating the textbook on polarization in gallium nitride to optimize wide bandgap semiconductors
Understanding the phenomenon underpinning the material’s electronic performance will inform the design of smaller, faster and more efficient electronic and quantum devices.Zetian Mi receives 2024 ISCS Quantum Devices Award
Mi’s fundamental research in ultrawide bandgap semiconductors has led to new discoveries in the field and two startup companies.Parag Deotare and Zetian Mi are editors of new book: 2D Excitonic Materials and Devices
The book, which is part of Elsevier’s Semiconductors and Semimetals series, offers both an overview and a deep dive into 2D excitonic materials and their applications.John Heron and Zetian Mi edit new book: Emerging Ferroelectric Materials and Devices
The book, which is part of Elsevier’s Semiconductors and Semimetals series, covers the latest developments in existing and emerging ferroelectric technology.Shubham Mondal awarded Rackham Predoc to support research on III-Nitride semiconductors for next generation electronics
Mondal’s materials research is expected to impact fields such as data centric computing, edge intelligence, and quantum photonic devices.Jiangnan Liu receives SVCF Scholarship to support research in quantum photonics
Liu is a PhD student investigating new materials for future opportunities in quantum photonics.Shubham Mondal receives SVCF Scholarship to support his research in semiconductor materials
Mondal works to improve the operation of electronic and optoelectronic devices using III-Nitride based semiconductor materials.2024 EECS Outstanding Achievement Awards
The EECS Department has honored four faculty for their sustained excellence in instruction and curricular development, distinguished participation in service activities, or for their significant achievements in scholarly research.Zetian Mi receives CoE Rexford E. Hall Innovation Excellence Award
Prof. Mi has launched two startup companies to promote his pioneering research in artificial photosynthesis and GaN nanoLEDs for applications in sustainable energy, displays and disinfection.ECE PhD student Shubham Mondal wins APL Materials award for research on ferroelectric nitrides
Ferroelectric nitrides could greatly enhance optoelectronic devices and advance IoT sensors, artificial visual systems, and more.Yixin Xiao awarded AVS scholarship for research that supports optoelectronic and renewable energy applications
Xiao’s work has helped advance artificial photosynthesis research, and he led a project on red micro LEDs that could expand the possibilities for AR and VR applications.September 21, 2023
Zetian Mi’s research team from University of Michigan makes progress shaping the future of ferroelectric semiconductor applications
Researchers from the University of Michigan made significant progress that could shape future ferroelectric semiconductor applications, and they designed ferroelectric semiconductors that are only 5 nanometers thick. ECE Prof Zetian Mi is the lead of the team and the co-corresponding author of the study.New global partnership aims to advance renewable energy generation with net-zero hydrogen production technologies
The Global Hydrogen Production Technologies (HyPT) Center seeks to create a viable pathway to decarbonize energy-intensive industries such as ammonia, steel, cement, aluminum, transportation, and more.September 7, 2023
The Significance of III-V Semiconductors in Future Electronics
A team of researchers at U of M led by Prof. Zetian Mi reported breakthroughs in ferroelectric III-V semiconductors unlocking new potentials for ultra-efficient memory, powerful electronic devices, and even revolutionary quantum technology applications.September 7, 2023
Si/GaN Technology Unlocks New Potential for Hydrogen Fuel Production
Scientists from the University of Michigan made important discoveries regarding the semiconductive use of gallium nitrate (GaN) three years ago, focusing on the advantages it has to offer solar energy technology. ECE Prof Zetian Mi was one of the inventors of artificial photosynthesis devices using Si/GaN about ten years ago.Three ECE students earn SPIE Optics and Photonics Scholarships
Yakshita Malhotra, Ishtiaque Ahmed Navid, and Yixin Xiao all work with Prof. Zetian Mi.May 26, 2023
Dingell Announces $1 Million for Clean Hydrogen Project at University of Michigan
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) announces Prof. Zetian Mi’s clean hydrogen project funded by the Department of Energy.New method to produce green hydrogen offers promising path to carbon neutrality
With next gen solar cell technology, Prof. Zetian Mi leads a DoE project to develop high efficiency, low cost, and ultrastable production of green hydrogen fuels directly from sunlight and water.Equity in the energy technology transition is new Institute’s goal
Prof. Johanna Mathieu is the new Associate Director of the Institute for Energy Solutions, which will continue U-M’s 75-year legacy of leadership in energy research.Nature: April 24, 2023
Oxynitrides enabled photoelectrochemical water splitting with over 3,000 hrs stable operation in practical two-electrode configuration
Prof. Zetian Mi co-authors this new study published in Nature Communications on the practical application of photoelectrochemical devices and systems for clean energy.Ishtiaque Navid awarded Predoctoral Fellowship to support research impacting green energy
Navid is exploiting III-Nitride nanostructures for artificial photosynthesis and next generation nanoscale optoelectronics.From new material to device: Ferroelectric HEMT could be a game changer for next generation electronics
Prof. Zetian Mi’s team proved the viability of a reconfigurable, ScAlN/AlGaN/GaN ferroelectric HEMT transistor that is critical for next-generation communication and computing systemsNational Science Foundation: February 24, 2023
Swimming Robot Borrows from Nature (and more)
In this video, the National Science Foundation features the breakthrough research led by Prof. Zetian Mi on producing inexpensive, sustainable hydrogen through solar power.February 24, 2023
New hydrogen production makes H2 by copying plants
Hydrogen Fuel News reports on Prof. Zetian Mi and his team’s breakthrough on producing inexpensive, sustainable hydrogen through solar power.Ishtiaque Ahmed Navid awarded the Richard and Eleanor Towner Prize for Distinguished Academic Achievement
Navid focuses on developing nanomaterials for artificial photosynthesis and optoelectronic devices.Semiconductor Engineering: February 13, 2023
Nanoscale (5nm) Ferroelectric Semiconductor (University Of Michigan)
Semiconductor Engineering features the advances in ferroelectric semiconductors led by Prof. Zetian Mi, which could expand artificial intelligence and sensing capabilities.Ishtiaque Navid receives SVCF Scholarship to support his research in semiconductor materials
Navid’s research is focused on artificial photosynthesis and optoelectronics using III-Nitride based semiconductor materials.Arthur Xiao receives SVCF Scholarship to support his research in semiconductor materials
Xiao has been working on several projects in Prof. Zetian’s Mi’s group, including micro LED technology and renewable energy.Nanoscale ferroelectric semiconductor could power AI and post-Moore’s Law computing on a phone
Next-gen computing material gets down to the right size for modern manufacturing.LNF Poster Winners announced
The winning research focused on emitting white light with OLEDs, improving atomic layer deposition methods, and high efficiency green and red MicroLEDs for AR/VR.National Science Foundation: January 19, 2023
Solar Powered Sustainable Hydrogen
The NSF Discovery Files features Prof. Zetian Mi’s renewable approach to producing hydrogen fuel using a novel semiconductor catalyst, concentrated natural sunlight and fresh or salt water.DBusiness Magazine: January 11, 2023
U-M Developed Solar Panel Achieves Sustainable, High-efficiency Hydrogen Production
A new kind of solar panel that mimics a crucial step in natural photosynthesis by achieving 9 percent efficiency in converting water into hydrogen and oxygen has been developed by Prof. Zetian Mi and his team. The first author on the Nature paper is Dr. Peng Zhouho.Science: January 5, 2023
Sun-powered water splitter produces unprecedented levels of green energy
A new breakthrough by Prof. Zetian Mi’s group resulted in a device that triples the efficiency of previous setups.Cheap, sustainable hydrogen through solar power
Withstanding high temperatures and the light of 160 suns, a new catalyst is ten times more efficient than previous sun-powered water-splitting devices of its kind.December 7, 2022
A game changer: Epitaxially grown nitride ferroelectrics
Compound Semiconductor features Zetian Mi’s breakthrough research on epitaxially grown nitride ferroelectrics.Prof. Zetian Mi selected as IEEE NTC Distinguished Lecturer
Mi’s talk will focus on how to break the efficiency bottleneck of micro-LEDs and deep UV optoelectronics, critical to continued advances in virtual/augmented reality, water purification, sterilization, and moreNovember 10, 2022
Red MicroLEDs Three Orders Of Magnitude Smaller In Surface Area
Semiconductor Engineering reported on Zetian Mi’s researchYakshita Malhotra honored for micro-LED research that could define the future of automotive displays
Malhotra’s work on micro-LEDs could lead to more efficient, higher resolution automotive displays capable of supporting augmented reality applications.Zetian Mi elected Fellow of APS
Mi’s pioneering contributions in III-nitride quantum nanostructures have contributed to the development of photonic and clean energy devices.Breakthrough in green micro-LEDs for augmented/mixed reality devices
Prof. Zetian Mi’s team are the first to achieve high-performance, highly stable green micro-LEDs with dimensions less than 1 micrometer on silicon, which can support ultrahigh-resolution full-color displays and other applications.Solar-powered chemistry uses carbon dioxide and water to make feedstock for fuels, chemicals
Producing synthesis gas, a precursor of a variety of fuels and chemicals, no longer requires natural gas, coal or biomass.Kamal Rudra awarded Laser Technology, Engineering and Applications Scholarship from SPIE
Rudra, an ECE Master’s student, specializes in solid state and nanotechnology, and his work could help shape the future of AR/VR technologies.Overcoming the efficiency cliff of red micro-LEDs for virtual/augmented reality
Prof. Zetian Mi leads a team that created highly-efficient red micro LEDs suitable for augmented and virtual reality.May 5, 2022
N-polar InGaN/GaN nanowires: overcoming the efficiency cliff of red-emitting micro-LEDs
Photonics Research described research led by Prof. Zetian Mi in a special story explaining the significance of their breakthrough in developing red micro LEDs.Graphene-hBN breakthrough to spur new LEDs, quantum computing
Study uncovers first method for producing high-quality, wafer-scale, single-layer hexagonal boron nitrideResearch full speed ahead on manufacturable III-V materials for next-generation electronics
A recent breakthrough in ferroelectric III-V semiconductors at the University of Michigan has been followed by several advancements and new funding to bring the technology closer to market.December 17, 2021
Most Read Featured Articles from 2020-2021
The article “Monolayer GaN excitonic deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes,” co-authored by Profs. Zetian Mi, Mack Kira, and Manos Kioupakis (MSE) was among the most downloaded articles published in Applied Physics Letters from 2020-2021, with 3,364 downloads.Prof. Zetian Mi named IEEE Fellow for his pioneering contributions to III-nitride photonics and clean energy
Mi’s research is impacting the future of alternative energy, as well as improved methods for water purification and air disinfection.$1.8M to develop room temperature, controllable quantum nanomaterials
The project could pave the way for compact quantum computing and communications as well as efficient UV lamps for sterilization and air purification.High Efficiency Ultraviolet Light Emitting Diodes to sterilize pathogens, including COVID-19
Research led by Prof. Zetian Mi has been honored with the 2020 Editor-in-Chief Choice Award from “Photonics Research.”Dawn of nitride ferroelectric semiconductors for next-generation electronics
The ability to precisely tune electrical polarization switching through molecular beam epitaxy is a gamechanger
April 6, 2021
Artificial photosynthesis devices that improve themselves with use
Nanowerk shares Prof. Zetian’s Mi research on a water-splitting device that becomes more efficient with use, which could make artificial photosynthesis a practical method for producing hydrogen fuel.Artificial photosynthesis devices that improve themselves with use
“Our discovery is a real game-changer. I’ve never seen such stability.”
Four ECE graduate students recognized by NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Four ECE doctoral students were selected for their outstanding research work in a variety of disciplines.
Zetian Mi receives Research Excellence Award from the College of Engineering
Mi’s research offers the promise of sustainable energy and clean water through his breakthroughs in III-nitride quantum nanostructures.
$6.25 million to develop new semiconductors for artificial photosynthesis
An interdisciplinary team from four universities are developing a new class of semiconductors for novel artificial photosynthesis and the production of clean chemicals and fuels using sunlight, as part of a DoD MURI
Electronic Products: January 4, 2021
10 top products in 2020
NS Nanotech’s coronavirus-killing chip makes Electronic Products’ Top 10 Products of 2020 listElectronic Products: January 4, 2021
Startup claims first solid-state far-UVC chip that neutralizes Coronavirus
Prof. Zetian Mi’s startup, NS Nanotech, has claimed the first solid-state far-UVC chip that kills the coronavirus and other airborne pathogens without posing any threat to humans.Podcast: Artificial photosynthesis for sustainable solar fuels
In S1E1, Prof. Zetian Mi talks unlocking quantum properties to close the loop on carbon emissions.
Full-color nano-LEDs for better, longer lasting LED performance
Research led by Prof. Zetian Mi to advance LEDs for high-efficiency, high-performance displays is recognized with the Distinguished Paper Award from the Society for Information Display.
DBusiness Magazine: August 10, 2020
U-M Startup: Brighter Displays on Mobile Phones That Draw Half the Power
A University of Michigan startup has announced the creation of a smaller, more energy-efficient light-emitting diode that aims to offer brighter, crisper displays for massive signs, mobile phones, and other devices.U-M startup NS Nanotech unveils new generation of LEDs for high-efficiency, high-performance displays
Brighter, crisper screens that draw half the power and lasts twice as long are possible with NS Nanotech’s next-gen LEDs.
PRWeb: July 31, 2020
NS Nanotech Closes the LED “Green Gap”
The company’s green LED technology is expected to deliver an order-of-magnitude improvement in efficiency for micron-sized devices. NS Nanotech was co-founded by Prof. Zetian Mi, who developed the technology.Professors Jay Guo and Zetian Mi awarded MTRAC funding for research in autonomous and green vehicles
Guo is working to boost the visibility of autonomous cars for improved safety, and Mi is building a prototype solar hydrogen production system that could out-compete electric cars.
Prof. Zetian Mi selected as IEEE Photonics Society Distinguished Lecturer
Prof. Mi will speak about the advances in ultraviolet optoelectronics for improved disinfection and water purification.
Lights in the labs – and eyes – of researchers coming back to work
‘Noncritical’ in-person research begins ramping up, with public-health protocols.
The Hill: January 21, 2020
How a scientific breakthrough is making ‘green methane’
Scientists are creating “green methane” out of a process called artificial photosynthesis — which could make natural-gas-powered devices carbon neutral.Interesting Engineering: January 10, 2020
Scientists develop new catalyst that uses light to convert carbon dioxide to fuel
EECS-ECE professor Zetian Mi’s research on artificial photosynthesis is featured in Interesting Engineering.
Science: January 10, 2020
Taking a cue from plants, new chemical approach converts carbon dioxide to valuable fuel
EECS Professor Zetian Mi’s research on artificial photosynthesis is described in Science.‘Green methane’ from artificial photosynthesis could recycle CO2
A catalyst on a solar panel can make methane, the main component of natural gas, with carbon dioxide, water and sunlight.
Xianhe Liu receives Best Poster Award at ICNS 2019
The research impacts development of high-efficiency, micro LEDs, used in a variety of applications.
Photosynthesis and Clean Energy
Prof. Zetian Mi talks about a new way to create energy from the sun – borrowing from the idea of photosynthesis.
Blue Sky and Research Accelerator Initiatives fund solar fuel and high-power research
Blue Sky: Up to $10M toward research so bold, some of it just might fail
Inspired by startup funding models, Michigan Engineering reinvents its internal R&D grant structure.
Harvesting clean hydrogen fuel through artificial photosynthesis
New device doubles previous efficiency, opens path to commercial viability.
November 30, 2017
New Program in Advanced Water Splitting Materials
Prof. Zetian Mi is Director of a US DOE program on solar hydrogen fuel production (2017 to 2021), titled “Monolithically Integrated Thin-Film/Silicon Tandem Photoelectrodes for High Efficiency and Stable Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting,” which consists of 8 research groups in four universities and three national labs to develop solar water splitting devices and systems for hydrogen fuel production.Deep UV LEDs lead to two best poster awards at ISSLED 2017
New techniques to construct deep UV LEDs prove prize-worthy.
Zetian Mi elected OSA Fellow
Mi recognized for his work with full-color LEDs and more
The Lurie Nanofabrication Facility
It Takes the Best to Serve the Best.March 4, 2017
These four tech teams just won $12 million in the ERA carbon Grand Challenge
Zetian Mi is a member of a team initiated at McGill University in Canada that will receive up to $3M by reaching the second round of the Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) Grand Challenge: Innovative Carbon Uses.Prof. Zetian Mi elected SPIE Fellow for contributions to photonic devices and artificial photosynthesis
Prof. Mi conducts research in the area of semiconductor optoelectronics, specifically in the areas of III-nitride semiconductors, low dimensional nanostructures, LEDs, lasers, Si photonics, artificial photosynthesis and solar fuels.
ECE welcomes new faculty
These faculty broaden and deepen ECE’s areas of expertise in robotics, ultra low power circuits, nanophotonics, information theory, and many other areas.