Wei You
Professor
Kenan Laboratories C540
wyou@unc.edu
919-962-6197
Research Interest:
Organic/Polymer Synthesis, Solar Cells, Molecular Electronics/Spintronics
Professional Background
B.S. Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, 1999; Ph.D. Organic/Polymer Chemistry, University of Chicago, 2004; Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University, 2004-2006; "Excellent Student Fellowship, First Prize" from University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P. R. China, 1995; "Panasonic Scholarship" from University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P. R. China, 1996; "P&G Scholarship" from University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P. R. China, 1997; "Excellent Student Fellowship, Third Prize" from University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P. R. China, 1998; "Excellent Thesis of USTC, Year 1999" from University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P. R. China, 1999; "Outstanding Leadership and Dedication," recognized by Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Chicago, 2002; "Excellence in Graduate Polymer Research," American Chemical Society 228th National Meeting, 2004; DuPont Science and Engineering Grant, 2007-2008; DuPont Young Professor Award, 2008-2010; R.J. Reynolds Junior Faculty Development Award, 2008-2009; NSF CAREER Award, 2010-2015; Tanner Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, 2011; Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, 2011; Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, 2011; CAPA Distinguished Junior Faculty Award, 2012; Two publications were in "the hottest research of 2011" by Thomas Reuters, 2012; One publication was selected as one of the top 9 articles out of 1300+ for "Best of Macromolecular Journals 2012" by Wiley, 2013; Ruth and Phillip Hettleman Prize for Artistic and Scholarly Achievement, 2013
Research Synopsis
Given the interdisciplinary nature of our research projects, it is rather difficult, and perhaps unnecessary, to put a specific label on individual projects. In terms of applications, we are researching solar cells, electronic/spintronic devices, dental/bone repair, and cancer curing, among others. Regarding materials we are actively developing include conjugated organic/polymers, biocompatible polymers, traditional polymers, and inorganic/organic hybrids. Our strengths are in chemistry, including design and synthesis of organic molecules and polymers, and also exploring new polymerization methodologies. Our mission is to apply innovative approaches to develop novel materials for various applications. Please visit our group page for more information and related publications.