Yulong Huang

The design of advanced electronic and magnetic materials plays a crucial role in the development of next-generation technologies. Molecular design, a bottom-up approach, allows for the precise manipulation of material properties at the atomic and molecular levels, leading to the creation of novel materials with enhanced performance. Two of most promising materials: superconductors [1, 2] and permanent magnets [3, 4], offer unique properties by molecular design that are pivotal for applications in energy, computing, and magnetic storage.

My research demonstrated molecular design induced manipulation of crystal structure highlights the emerged properties of tailored materials that are superior to pristine ones. In terms of iron-based superconductors, molecular design strategies aim to improve the critical temperature (Tc) where superconductors exhibit zero electrical resistance, and to enhance the robustness of superconducting materials. Molecular intercalation, one of molecular design strategies, has been integrated with hydrothermal technology to enrich the superconductor family and uncovered the contribution of charge carrier density and mobility to high-Tc superconductivity. In chromium-pyrazine based permanent magnets, the design of alkali metal cations and solvent molecules significantly controls room-temperature magnetic order and coercivity. Under molecular design strategies, structure analysis and high-pressure technology [5, 6] reveal material structure as the key factor of property manipulation for advanced materials. 

Dr. Yulong Huang is the lab manager and research assistant professor of Materials Characterization Laboratory of Shared Instrumentation Laboratories in School of Engineering and Applied Science. He also served as an adjunct research assistant professor in Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering since October 2024. Dr. Huang earned his PhD degree from Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2018, and worked at UB as a postdoctoral associate (Nov 2018 - May 2023) and research scientist (May 2023 – July 2024). His areas of interest include design of high-temperature superconductors and permanent magnets for applications and fundamental study.  He is an editorial board member of Scientific Reports.

• Time: 11:00 AM
• Location: 206 Furnas Hall