Personal Statement / Statement of Objectives
Continuing my academic way.
It is believed that the gods created the world full of magic and inexhaustible energy. To beings, powers from three energy sources are the strongest - solar energy, love and imagination. Therefore I would like to choose a career I will love, and let my imagination release imprisoned possibilities.
I was suggested by college professors that I should be researcher. But to be prudent, I tried to involve myself in various areas. I did not make the final decision before internship ended at IBM this summer. I was trained in several sectors in System & Technology Group: research, client sells, business service and technical support. I summarized that research is the headstream of every product and hence of every business. Our world is made up of complex systems. To extract their full potential, we have to understand how they work in all their dimensions. For instance, to advance electronics, it's not enough to discover new materials, assess potential, design products, or promote software. As with any complex system, we need to analyze how work flows, how people interact and how processes can be more productive and human. We also have to integrate disparate fields of knowledge, and see patterns that underlie even the most commonplace activities. I've always thought this way - from designing intelligent digital battery charger in 2009, to easy-touch optoelectronic cardiotachometer in 2010, to electromagnetic wave directed coupling growth mechanism. Today, I am seeing more opportunities for innovation than ever before - and new approaches to innovate itself. I am ready for cultivating cutting-edge research, to feel the beauty of nature fundamentals, to creatively design and fabricate high-performance devices, and to develop future technologies. I always believe that science and engineering can lead the world by making discoveries and innovations.
While the wisdom of crowds can complement the spark of genius, it can't replace it. I have understood the importance of fundamental research and breakthrough thinking that spans technology, business and society. Energetic and motivated researchers are always demanded. I choose to devote entire career to thinking about science and about its impact on our lives and work.
Explore at the nanoscale.
I joined Nanomaterial & Nanoelectronics Group when I was a sophomore. This was the beginning of taking a journey into formal laboratorial research. I started to read related papers and to do experiments. However it was never plain to balance research and heavy courses. I didn't cut classes so I usually did experiments at night, even through the night, and at weekends. At midnight, lab was quite, facilities were available, and samples beautiful. I slept at desk at intervals of my experiments. I felt delighted every when I got progress. I loved it. And much of what I devoted into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless now and forever. This is the start.
Now, when I pay attention to/attend a conference named after nano, when I read articles on ACS Nano/Nat. Nano/Nano Letters, it is found that some areas are distant from others even though they share the same prefix nano. Conventional research areas, such as chemistry/physics/mechanical engineering/electronics/optoelectronics, is developing, transforming, collaborating and integrating to the now nanoscience and nanoscale engineering.
I obtained self-assembled radial-aligned In2O3 nanobelt pattern via CVD last year, and its mechanism is not reported. I put forward a mechanism that growth of one-dimensional ionic crystalline nanostructures with high polar properties could be led by electromagnetic wave, in the form of coupling with crystal vibrations. Reviewer replied that it is extremely new and that related mechanisms are not well-studied. I tried to explain it but felt powerless. Since then I realized that I can never stop acquiring knowledge and experience in every related area. I wrote letters to conventional scientists who are famous for research on ionic crystal vibrations, crystal growth, vapor deposition, and electromagnetic coupling. Although my hypothesis is still not established, I obtain much more than knowledge and experience. I gained confidence. I will never stop thinking and researching on topics which are not well-studied.
In the lab, I started to learn more comprehensively from my tutors, renowned chemists Prof. Shen and Prof. Chen, about synthesis of nanomaterials, fundamentals of inorganic chemistry/characterization/nanoelectronics, and device fabrication skills, as well as knowledge of photocatalysis, photovoltaic and energy conversion. I started to work harder in super-clean lab with Ph.D. students to gain experience of testing and fabrication. I started to choose courses/experimental practices in various areas, especially in interdisciplinary areas. All these are giants on whose shoulders I will stand. And all achievements will be wisdoms on which nanomaterials reflects.
What does it take to change the way the world works?
Think macro, think nano.
For detailed information about my research, designs and other experiences please refer to my Supp. Info.
