Understanding and Controlling the Properties of Dirac Electronic Materials

I aim to understand and control the electronic properties of Dirac electronic materials. These are a new class of materials that share properties of both metals and semiconductors and will revolutionize future electronics technologies. Graphene, a single atom-thick sheet of graphite, is the best-known Dirac material, and others such as bismuth selenide have been identified. Controlled disorder such as point defects and patterns of mechanical strain will introduce new electronic properties such as magnetism or electronic conduction without resistance. This will enable new technologies in low-power computing, sensing, and photovoltaic energy generation.