Group Members

 • Group Leader

 • PostDocs & Staff

 • Graduate Students

 • Prior Members

Biosketch

• Bachelor of Engineering in Materials Science and Engineering, Virginia Institute of Technology, VA, 2001.
• Advanced Writing and Communications Program, Blacksburg, VA, 1996-1999.
• Cooperative Education Program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 1997-2000.

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Research Area

• Measurement of mechanical and electrical properties of ZnO nanobelts
• Fabrication of physical, chemical, and biological sensors utilizing the piezoelectric effect from individual ZnO nanobelts
• Polar-surface-dominated ZnO nanobelts
• Crystallographic control of ZnO nanobelt growth directions
• SEM and TEM characterization
• AFM characterization and manipulation
• Network Analysis
• Focused Ion Beam (FIB)

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Publications

1. "Nanowire as pico-gram balance at workplace atmosphere", J. Zhou, C.S. Lao, P.G. Gao, W.J. Mai, W.L. Hughes, S.Z. Deng, N.S. Xu and Z.L. WangSolid State Commun., 139 (2006) 222-226.
2. "Bulk Acoustic Resonator Based on Piezoelectric ZnO Belts", B.A. Buchine, W.L. Hughes, F.L. Degertekin and Z.L. Wang Nano Lett., 6 (2006) 1155-1159.
3. "Conversion of Zinc Oxide Nanobelts into Superlattice-Structured Nanohelices", P.X. Gao, Y. Ding, W.J. Mai, W.L. Hughes, C.S. Lao, Z.L. Wang Science, 309 (2005) 1700-1704.
4. "Three-dimensional interconnected nanowire networks of ZnO", P. X. Gao, C. S. Lao, W. L. Hughes and Z. L.Wang Chem. Phys. Lett., 408 (2005) 174-178.
5. "Controlled synthesis and manipulation of ZnO nanorings and nanobows", W. L. Hughes and Z. L. Wang, Appl. Phys. Lett., 86 (2005) 043106.
6. "Semiconducting and Piezoelectric Oxide Nanostructures induced by Polar Surfaces", Z. L. Wang, X. Y. Kong, Y. Ding, P. Gao, W. L. Hughes, R. Yang and Y. Zhang, Adv. Funct. Mater. , 14 (2004) 943-956.
7. "Formation of Piezoelectric Single-Crystal Nanorings and Nanobows", W. L. Hughes and Z. L. Wang, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 126 (2004) 6703-6709.
8. "Nanobelts as nanocantilevers", W. L. Hughes, and Z.L. Wang, Appl. Phys. Lett., 82 (2003) 2886-2888.
9. NATURE|VOL 423|8 May 2003| page 134
10. "Environmental Effects on Composite Matrix Resins Used in Construction", J.W. Chin, M.R. Haight, W. L. Hughes and T. Nguyen, Proceedings of the 1 st Conference on Durability of Composites for Construction, August, 1998.
11. "Effects of Water, Salt Water and Simulated Concrete Pore Solution on the Properties of Composite Matrix Resins Used in Civil Engineering Applications", J.W. Chin, K Aouadi, M.R. Haight, W. L. Hughes and T. Nguyen, Polymer Composites, Apr. 2001.
12. "Elevated Temperature Aging of Glass Fiber Reinforced Vinyl Ester and Isophthalic Polyester Composites in Water, Salt Water, and Concrete Pore Solution", J.W. Chin, W. L. Hughes , A. Signor, ASC Technical Conference, September 9-12, 2001, Blacksburg, VA.

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Research Highlights

• Manipulation of piezoelectric ZnO nanobelts to form nanocantilevers.
• Synthesis of ZnO nanorings and nanobows.

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Honors & Awards

• NSF Student and Teacher Enhancement Partnership (STEP) Fellowship (2005-2006)
• Georgia Tech External Advisory Board Topping Grant (2001-2006)
• Intel Foundation Ph.D. Fellowship (National Finalist, 2005)
• Executive Director of Nano @ Tech (Invited 2005)
• NSF National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NNIN) Fellow (2005)
• NSF Student and Teacher Enhancement Partnership (STEP) Fellowship (Awarded 2002)
• Molecular Design Institute Fellowship (2003-2004)

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