Zesen Zhou

Imagine being able to design how light moves, to make it bend, bounce, or even disappear inside a material. My research focuses on creating three-dimensional photonic crystals using holographic lithography, a method that uses light itself to print complex 3D structures at the nanoscale.

These materials can manipulate light in remarkable ways, acting like tiny mirrors or traps for specific colors. By precisely controlling their structure, we can capture sunlight more efficiently or guide heat away from surfaces in new ways.

This opens up exciting possibilities for sustainable technologies. Photonic crystals can enhance photocatalysis, allowing sunlight to drive clean chemical reactions for energy and pollution control. They can also enable radiative cooling, helping buildings release heat naturally without electricity.

In essence, my work teaches materials how to interact with light, and uses that interaction to create greener and more energy-efficient solutions for our future.