General Lab Information

Yugang Zhang

Staff Scientist, Soft/Bio Materials, Center for Functional Nanomaterials

Yugang Zhang

Brookhaven National Laboratory

Center for Functional Nanomaterials
Bldg. 735
P.O. Box 5000
Upton, NY 11973-5000

(631) 344-5674
yuzhang@bnl.gov

Expertise | Research | Education | Appointments | Publications | Highlights


Expertise

  • Synchrotron-based X-ray scattering (SAXS, WAXS, XPCS) 
  • Advanced (coherent) X-ray data analysis methods
  • Programmable self-assembly  
  • Dynamics of nano/mesoscale complex materials

Research Activities

Yugang’s current research program is focusing on the development of state-of the-art analysis and characterization methods to study soft matter and bionanomaterials using synchrotron-based X-ray scattering techniques. His research interests include self-assembly at nanoscale, dynamics of active colloids in complex fluids, and development of advanced data analysis methods for X-ray scattering. Yugang also supports users’ research activities and develops new capabilities at the beamlines at National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II), BNL.

Education

  • Ph.D., Condensed Matter Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
    • Dissertation title: Hierarchical controlled synthesis, morphology and property modulation of zinc-based I-VI semiconductor Nanomaterials
  • Postdoctoral Research: Center for Functional Nanomaterials, BNL
    • Project: Programmable self-assembly of nanoparticle superlattices

Professional Appointments

  • Staff Scientist, Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, 2019 – present
  • Staff Scientist, National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II), Brookhaven National Laboratory, 2015– 2019

Selected Publications

  • Headrick RL, Ulbrandt JG, Myint P, Wan J, Li Y, Fluerasu A, Zhang Y, Wiegart L, Ludwig KF (2019) Coherent X-ray measurement of step-flow propagation during growth on polycrystalline thin film surfaces. Nature Communications. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-10629-8
  • Lu F, Vo T, Zhang Y, Frenkel A, Yager KG, Kumar S, Gang O (2019) Unusual packing of soft-shelled nanocubes. Science Advances 5:eaaw2399. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw2399
  • Lu F, Xin H, Xia W, Liu M, Zhang Y, Cai W, Gang O (2018) Tailoring Surface Opening of Hollow Nanocubes and Their Application as Nanocargo Carriers. ACS Central Science 4:1742–1750. doi: 10.1021/acscentsci.8b00778
  • Lhermitte JR, Stein A, Tian C, Zhang Y, Wiegart L, Fluerasu A, Gang O, Yager KG (2017) Coherent amplification of X-ray scattering from meso-structures. IUCrJ 4:604–613. doi: 10.1107/s2052252517008107
  • Tian Y, Zhang Y, Wang T, Xin HL, Li H, Gang O (2016) Lattice engineering through nanoparticle–DNA frameworks. Nature Materials 15:654–661. doi: 10.1038/nmat4571
  • Zhang Y, Pal S, Srinivasan B, Vo T, Kumar S, Gang O (2015) Selective transformations between nanoparticle superlattices via the reprogramming of DNA-mediated interactions. Nature Materials 14:840–847. doi: 10.1038/nmat4296
  • Lu F, Yager KG, Zhang Y, Xin H, Gang O (2015) Superlattices assembled through shape-induced directional binding. Nature Communications. doi: 10.1038/ncomms7912
  • Myint P, Ludwig KF, Wiegart L, Zhang Y, Fluerasu A, Zhang X, Headrick RL (2021) de Gennes Narrowing and Relationship between Structure and Dynamics in Self-Organized Ion-Beam Nanopatterning. Physical Review Letters. doi: 10.1103/physrevlett.126.016101
  • Torres Arango M, Zhang Y, Zhao C, Li R, Doerk G, Nykypanchuk D, Chen-Wiegart YK, Fluerasu A, Wiegart L (2020) Ink-substrate interactions during 3D printing revealed by time-resolved coherent X-ray scattering. Materials Today Physics 14:100220. doi: 10.1016/j.mtphys.2020.100220
  • Sciortino F, Zhang Y, Gang O, Kumar SK (2020) Combinatorial-Entropy-Driven Aggregation in DNA-Grafted Nanoparticles. ACS Nano 14:5628–5635. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.9b10123

Research Highlights

1) https://www.bnl.gov/cfn/news/news.php?a=111581

Mixing Nanoparticles to Make Multifunctional Materials, Standardized technique opens remarkable opportunities for 'mix and match' materials fabrication

2) https://www.bnl.gov/newsroom/news.php?a=111729

Engineering Phase Changes in Nanoparticle Arrays,  Scientists alter attractive and repulsive forces between DNA-linked particles to make dynamic, phase-shifting forms of nanomaterials

3) https://www.bnl.gov/newsroom/news.php?a=111716

Scientists Use Nanoscale Building Blocks and DNA 'Glue' to Shape 3D Superlattices,  New approach to designing ordered composite materials for possible energy applications

4)  https://www.bnl.gov/cfn/news/news.php?a=111846

DNA Shaping Up to be Ideal Framework for Rationally Designed Nanostructures,  Shaped DNA frames that precisely link nanoparticles into different structures offer a platform for designing functional nanomaterials

5) https://www.bnl.gov/newsroom/news.php?a=215581

Creating 'Movies' of Thin Film Growth at NSLS-II,  Coherent x-rays at NSLS-II enable researchers to produce more accurate observations of thin film growth in real time

Yugang Zhang

Brookhaven National Laboratory

Center for Functional Nanomaterials
Bldg. 735
P.O. Box 5000
Upton, NY 11973-5000

(631) 344-5674
yuzhang@bnl.gov

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