On Monday, March 31, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, had the honor of hosting Professor Di Xiao, Robert J. Campbell Chair of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Washington, as part of the Hassel and Marianne Ledbetter MatSE Colloquium Series. Professor Xiao, who holds appointments in both materials science and engineering and physics, is a leading researcher in low-dimensional materials and condensed matter physics.
Jointly appointed with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the University of Washington, Professor Xiao is a Fellow of the American Physical Society, a Simons Fellow in Theoretical Physics, and a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher.
A theorist in the field of quantum materials, Professor Xiao is a pioneer in quantum valleytronics, two-dimensional van der Waals magnets, and most notably, the focus of his colloquium-phase effects in 2D quantum materials.
In his talk, Professor Xiao explored the intricate relationship between polarization and the electronic properties of twisted bilayers of 2D materials. Some of the engineered properties he described may hold promise for future applications in topological quantum computing.
Professor Xiao’s insights sparked engaging discussions and inspired students and faculty alike, and the materials department community looks forward to hosting him in the future!