Kai Wang
About Kai Wang
Kai Wang is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, specializing in materials science and engineering. He has developed technologies for solar cells and gas sensors and has a strong academic background with degrees from Southwest Jiaotong University and the University of New Orleans.
Work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Currently, Kai Wang serves as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a position he has held since 2013. His work focuses on advanced materials research, particularly in the characterization of CuInGaSe2 solar cells. He employs electron microscopy techniques, including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), to analyze the structural properties of these solar cells. His contributions to the laboratory enhance the understanding of materials used in renewable energy applications.
Previous Experience at Iowa State University
Kai Wang previously worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Iowa State University from 2012 to 2013. During his nine-month tenure in Ames, Iowa, he developed new technologies utilizing pulse laser processing. His research focused on the heterostructuring and magnetic doping of transition metal dichalcogenides monolayers, contributing to advancements in material science.
Education and Expertise
Kai Wang holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Engineering and Applied Science from the University of New Orleans, which he completed from 2008 to 2012. He also earned a Master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Southwest Jiaotong University, where he studied from 2003 to 2006. His undergraduate studies in the same field at Southwest Jiaotong University spanned from 1999 to 2003. His educational background provides a solid foundation for his research in materials science and engineering.
Research Contributions and Innovations
Throughout his career, Kai Wang has made significant contributions to materials science research. He has characterized CuInGaSe2 solar cells with large grains and developed an experimental protocol for fabricating flexible gas sensors. This protocol involves inkjet-printing nanocrystal ZnO ink on polyimide substrates. Additionally, he has achieved hetero-bilayers using dry and wet stamping techniques, incorporating optical probes to study exciton formation and transfer.