Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Dr Xiao Liu, South China Normal University, China

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Abstract

Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.

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Dr Xiao Liu (ORCiD https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3861-0579) is an associate professor in the School of Electronic Science and Engineering (School of Microelectronics) at South China Normal University. She earned her PhD in 2016 from RWTH Aachen University, Germany, where her research was conducted jointly at Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen University. She was affiliated with the Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI), the renowned research institute of Prof. Peter Grünberg, the 2007 Nobel Laureate in Physics. From 2017 to 2019, She conducted postdoctoral research at the School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Jinan University. In July 2020, she joined South China Normal University, where her primary research focuses on microscale complex systems, the design and synthesis of semiconductor photosensitive nanomaterials, and the construction and mechanistic study of photoelectronic systems. After returning to China, Liu has led 6 research projects and was selected for a postdoctoral funding project “Pearl River Talent Program” of Guangdong Province in 2017. She has published over 40 journal articles with 25 papers as the corresponding/1st author. Liu leads a research group looking at metamaterial’s design and application (https://www.supernano.tech/#/). Her research interests include energy-level structure design and controlled synthesis of quantum materials, self-assembly behaviour and control of nanoparticles, surface modification techniques, efficient interfacial electron transport, and rapid and effective carrier separation technologies.

Read Xiao Liu’s Emerging Investigator Series article ‘Pyramid-shaped quantum dot superlattice exhibiting tunable room-temperature coherent emission via oriented attachment’ ( https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MH01748J ) and read more about her in the interview below:

MH: Your recent Materials Horizons Communication demonstrates a pyramid-shaped quantum dot superlattice exhibiting tunable room-temperature coherent emission via oriented attachment. How has your research evolved from your first article to this most recent article and where do you see your research going in future?

XL: At the very beginning of my academic career, I focused on the optimization of nanoparticles, particularly in the context of photocatalysts, photoelectronic and electronic devices. As my work progressed, I became increasingly interested in the industrialization of quantum dots (QDs) in applications such as QD-LCD displays and QD-OLEDs. This exposure made me realize the immense potential of nanocrystals beyond basic materials science, particularly in how their collective properties can be harnessed at the macroscopic scale.

The Nobel Prize awarded in 2023 further reinforced my belief in the transformative power of quantum dots, which are the first nanocrystals to have a profound impact on both science and everyday life. This realization shifted my research focus toward exploring the collective properties of nanocrystals. I found great inspiration from the work of Professors Helmut Coelfen and Christopher B. Murray, whose studies on mesocrystalline superlattices influenced my decision to delve deeper into this field.

Currently, I am engaged in research on the self-assembly of mesocrystalline superlattices, and I am highly optimistic about the potential of these materials in the realms of quantum information and quantum optics.

MH: What aspect of your work are you most excited about at the moment?

XL: At the moment, I am most excited about confirming the previous theoretical predictions made by scientists. By mimicking natural processes, such as oriented attachment, and leveraging synthetic control, we are able to design novel architectures, like various mesocrystalline superlattices, that exhibit ground breaking properties. These include:

• room-temperature coherent emission, such as superfluorescence,

• enhanced charge delocalization via miniband formation,

• directional magnetic and optical responses, inspired by the unique behaviours of magnetotactic bacteria.

MH: In your opinion, what are the most important questions to be asked/answered in this field of research?

XL: In my opinion, there are two crucial questions that need to be addressed in this field of research:

1. How far can we push the boundaries of self-organization, which was highlighted by Science magazine as one of the most curious questions of this century? Exploring the potential of self-organizing systems could lead to groundbreaking advancements in materials science, quantum technologies, and even artificial intelligence.

2. How can we approach or realize computing efficiency that rivals the natural systems found in creatures such as insects, birds, and animals? Nature has evolved highly efficient processes, and understanding how to replicate or adapt these in artificial systems could revolutionize computing and other technologies.

I suppose these two challenges may no longer be as significant in ten years, given the rapid rise of artificial intelligence applications in science, such as AlphaFold.

MH: What do you find most challenging about your research?

XL: The greatest challenge lies in unlocking mesocrystalline superlattices’ multidimensional “super-properties”. These properties often defy single-discipline explanations, demanding synergistic expertise to map their behaviour across scales. To address this, we try to find opportunities for collaboration with scientists from Europe and the United States. Only through such alliances can we systematically investigate mesocrystalline superlattices’ hidden potential. We welcome cooperation from all over the world.

MH: In which upcoming conferences or events may our readers meet you?

XL: You’ll find me at the 3rd World Materials Congress (3rd WMC), 9th World Materials Summit (9th WMS), and IUMRS International Conference on Advanced Materials 2025 (IUMRS-ICA2025).

MH: How do you spend your spare time?

XL: I prioritize weekends for outdoor adventures with my son and family—whether sketching landscapes together or exploring science museums. Evenings are for board games and bedtime storytelling, where his wild imaginations often inspire my own creativity. During quiet moments, I recharge by singing classic songs and painting with watercolors. These hobbies aren’t just fun—they sharpen my focus for work through unexpected connections.

MH: Can you share one piece of career-related advice or wisdom with other early career scientists?

XL: “One eyewitness is better than ten hearsays.” This Chinese proverb underscores the critical value of direct empirical engagement in scientific careers: (1) achieve hands-on mastery of core techniques—prioritize mastering experimental methods through repeated practice rather than relying solely on literature protocols; (2) validate hypotheses through cross-verification—combine lab observations with industrial collaborations; (3) communicate findings via multimodal dissemination—present discoveries through dual channels including peer-reviewed papers (establish credibility) and industry workshops (translate insights into real-world impact). Avoid over-reliance on “hearsay” metrics; focus on whether your work reshapes experimental practices.

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