World-leading materials research at NUS
November 14, 2019Human civilisation has always been shaped by breakthroughs in materials science. In the past, our greatest material triumphs defined entire eras of humanity, from the stone age to the bronze age to the iron age. Today, we have a far deeper understanding of materials, and now there is no single era-defining material of our time, but rather a host of promising material areas to explore.
From the climate crisis to quantum computers, materials research is poised to play a pivotal role in tackling some of the most pressing global challenges. Therefore, to accelerate progress in this important research field, NUS recently designated it a key area of focus. With this emphasis, NUS has reached the top-tier level in materials research globally, and has amassed some of the world’s most prolific and prominent talents.
This article aims to highlight a selection of these pioneering NUS scientists and their innovative research. Faculty of Science scientists: Professor Antonio CASTRO NETO, Professor Barbaros ÖZYILMAZ and Professor Gui BAZAN, were three of the scientists highlighted in this article.
Professor Antonio Castro Neto

Professor Castro Neto is interested in the synthesis, characterisation and creation of new devices based on 2D materials. In addition to 2D materials he is also an expert in strongly correlated materials and disordered magnetic systems
Another pioneer in the field of atomically thin materials is Distinguished Professor Antonio Castro Neto, Director of the NUS Centre for Advanced 2D Materials (CA2DM). The CA2DM was established in 2010 for the conception, characterisation, theoretical modelling and development of transformative technologies based on 2D crystals, such as graphene.
Prof Castro Neto is an expert in all aspects of graphene and he further described the unique advantages that 2D materials offer, “They have physical and chemical properties that normal three-dimensional materials do not have — such as extreme quantum behaviour. Meaning the electrons in these materials behave like waves, not particles.”
These extreme quantum behaviours could create the next generation of electronic components with revolutionary capabilities, and 2D materials like graphene are already being used in the development of quantum computers.
“New materials are the basis for the Industry 4.0,” said Prof Castro Neto, explaining the importance of materials research. “Advances in nanotechnology, biotechnology, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, 3D printing and the Internet of Things (IoT) all require new materials. These new materials then impact fundamental areas such as electronics, food, water, the environment, energy and more,” he stated.
Professor Barbaros Özyilmaz

Professor Özyilmaz’s research interests range from fundamental studies of spin, charge and phonon transport in 2D materials, to the development and facilitation of 2D materials such as graphene in biomedical and energy storage applications
Among his many research interests, the Head of NUS Materials Science and Engineering, Professor at NUS Physics, and Deputy Director of CA2DM, Professor Barbaros Özyilmaz, is focussed on accelerating the widespread adoption of graphene and other 2D materials into industry.
2D materials can generally be described as perfect crystals of atoms regularly spaced in an atomically thin sheet. While this fundamental structure gives 2D materials their incredible electrical and mechanical properties, it currently makes them costly and tricky to scale up for many industrial applications. Therefore Prof Özyilmaz investigates how to make 2D materials more robust.
Through his cutting-edge research, Prof Özyilmaz recently discovered that 2D materials could be synthesised in such a way that they are amorphous films rather than crystals. These amorphous 2D films still have some of the desirable properties of crystalline 2D materials, but are much more hardy, and cheaper to make. “Our amorphous films can be synthesised at much lower temperatures because they don’t need to be perfect in terms of the crystal structure,” Prof Özyilmaz said.
This breakthrough is a leap forward in making 2D materials generally viable for industrial applications. “These amorphous films focus on a subset of 2D material properties, and sacrifice the rest, to ensure that they are more scalable, processible and manageable in terms of risk for industry,” Prof Özyilmaz explained. This novel discovery is already of great interest to many companies by providing a shortcut to the commercialisation of graphene.
Professor Gui Bazan

Professor Bazan investigates composite materials which contain living organisms. These biocomposites consist of microorganisms and a polymeric matrix with metallic properties
In addition to biomedical devices, another major area of exploration in materials that is of global interest are living composite materials. Composites consist of two or more different material types brought together to provide physical properties otherwise unattainable with individual components. Professor Gui Bazan, who will be taking up a position in NUS Chemistry and NUS Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in January 2020, conducts innovative research in this area.
“Ever since straw or rice husks were added to mud bricks to make them more robust over 7000 years ago, humans have been aware of composite materials,” Prof Bazan stated. But despite this history, there are very few examples of composites where living systems are considered an essential element. Prof Bazan explained this is why he is blazing a trail in this research area. “Our group is thus pioneering living ‘biocomposites’ containing microorganisms and a polymeric hydrogel matrix with metallic properties,” he said.
Prof Bazan’s research coordinates principles from chemical synthesis, materials engineering, soft electronic matter and electromicrobiology. It lays the foundation for promoting and understanding electronic communication between synthetic elements and microbial communities. “Living microbial biocomposites provide us with a unique opportunity to harness the extraordinary diversity and adaptability of bacteria,” he described.
With this approach Prof Bazan explained that, “It is possible with the right biotic/abiotic combination to use the bacteria for converting chemical energy (in other words its food) into electrical current at levels that are not attainable by any other way.” Given time, this may reveal the possibility to use wastewater as the food source and let the bacteria remove organic contaminants, while at the same time produce electrical power for a green source of energy.
Materials research is not only one of the most rapidly evolving and fastest growing scientific disciplines, but also one which stands at the forefront of modern technology, spanning every facet of 21st century life. The team of first-rate researchers collected at NUS is revealing brand new research insights and spearheading novel applications in all aspects of this field. Ultimately, the cutting-edge materials research conducted at NUS will have far-reaching societal benefits in Singapore and globally.
The article first appeared on NUS Research News on 12 November 2019.
Read the full article at http://news.nus.edu.sg/research/world-leading-materials-research-nus.