Vinayak P. Dravid
· Professor of Materials Science and Engineering; Abraham Harris Professor; Director of NUANCE (Northwestern University Atomic and Nanoscale Characterization) CenterNorthwestern University · Materials Science and Engineering
Active 1987–2024
About
Vinayak P. Dravid is a Professor of Materials Science & Engineering at Northwestern University and serves as the Director of the NUANCE Center. His research focuses on materials science at the intersection of physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering, with particular emphasis on materials for the environment, hybrid microscopy, quantum and energy materials. He is recognized as a Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researcher since 2016. Dravid's group conducts advanced research involving synthesis, characterization, and application of nanomaterials, low-dimensional quantum materials, and nanocomposites for environmental remediation, energy storage, and quantum information science. His work includes the development of in-situ transmission electron microscopy techniques, analysis of complex multidimensional data, and the application of machine learning to solve energy and environment-related problems.
Research topics
- Materials science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemistry
- Optoelectronics
- Crystallography
- Metallurgy
- Condensed matter physics
- Chemical physics
- Inorganic chemistry
- Organic chemistry
- Chemical engineering
- Physics
- Physical chemistry
- Composite material
- Computer Science
- Thermodynamics
- Computational chemistry
- Electrical engineering
- Biophysics
- Geology
- Nuclear chemistry
- Computational biology
- Nuclear physics
- Polymer chemistry
Selected publications
Chemistry of Materials · 2023 · 7 citations
- Materials science
- Crystallography
- Nuclear chemistry
We have developed a new method for synthesizing mono- and bimetallic two-dimensional selenophosphates by using a reactive flux technique with powder precursors dissolved in a P2Se5 melt. This method allows us to bypass the difficulties commonly encountered in synthesizing these materials. M2P2Se6 (M = Mn, Fe, Cr, Cd, Mg, and Zn) and bimetallic MM′P2Se6 (M = Cu, Ag; M′ = Cr, In) powders were synthesized over 60 h using a P2Se5 reactive flux. As a further demonstration of potential optimization, Mn2P2Se6 powder with minor MnSe impurity was synthesized in 30 min. Reactions of Mn and Cr in P2Se5 flux were analyzed in situ using variable-temperature powder X-ray diffraction to investigate the formation reaction pathways, suggesting single-step formation of Cr2P2Se6 at 775 °C and formation of Mn2P2Se6 at 575 °C through an intermediate MnSe phase. Follow-up experimental syntheses generated crystals of the monometallic family M2P2Se6 (M = Mn, Fe, and Cd) and bimetallic family MM′P2Se6 (M = Li, Cu, Ag; M′ = Cr, In) with area dimensions of several square millimeters using heating profiles of just over 60 h. The homogeneity of bimetallic selenophosphates MM′P2Se6 was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Rietveld refinement. The crystallinity of the selected materials was characterized by transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy measurements. The work functions of flakes were determined and ranged from 5.25 to 5.72 eV.
The emergence of valency in colloidal crystals through electron equivalents
Nature Materials · 2022 · 85 citations
- Computer Science
- Materials science
- Chemical physics
Vapor–liquid assisted chemical vapor deposition of Cu <sub>2</sub> X materials
2D Materials · 2022 · 8 citations
Senior authorCorresponding- Materials science
- Chemical physics
- Nanotechnology
Abstract Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are known for their layered structure and tunable functional properties. However, a unified understanding on other transition metal chalcogenides (i.e. M 2 X) is still lacking. Here, the relatively new class of copper-based chalcogenides Cu 2 X (X = Te, Se, S) is thoroughly reported. Cu 2 X are synthesized by an unusual vapor–liquid assisted growth on a Al 2 O 3 /Cu/W stack. Liquid copper plays a significant role in synthesizing these layered systems, and sapphire assists with lateral growth and exfoliation. Similar to traditional TMDs, thickness dependent phonon signatures are observed, and high-resolution atomic images reveal the single phase Cu 2 Te that prefers to grow in lattice-matched layers. Charge transport measurements indicate a metallic nature at room temperature with a transition to a semiconducting nature at low temperatures accompanied by a phase transition, in agreement with band structure calculations. These findings establish a fundamental understanding and thrust Cu 2 Te as a flexible candidate for wide applications from photovoltaics and sensors to nanoelectronics.
Polycrystalline SnSe with a thermoelectric figure of merit greater than the single crystal
Nature Materials · 2021 · 687 citations
- Materials science
- Optoelectronics
- Condensed matter physics
at 783 K, lower than the single crystals. The path to ultrahigh thermoelectric performance in polycrystalline samples is the proper removal of the deleterious thermally conductive oxides from the surface of SnSe grains. These results could open an era of high-performance practical thermoelectrics from this high-performance material.
Inorganic Chemistry · 2021 · 31 citations
- Chemistry
- Crystallography
- Inorganic chemistry
flux reactions were monitored in situ using variable-temperature powder X-ray diffraction to understand the formation reaction pathways. The phases were directly formed in a single step at approximately 375 °C. The work functions of the semiconducting materials were determined and ranged from 5.28 to 5.72 eV.
Science Advances · 2021 · 88 citations
- Biology
- Computational biology
- Cell biology
Extending across multiple length scales, dynamic chromatin structure is linked to transcription through the regulation of genome organization. However, no individual technique can fully elucidate this structure and its relation to molecular function at all length and time scales at both a single-cell level and a population level. Here, we present a multitechnique nanoscale chromatin imaging and analysis (nano-ChIA) platform that consolidates electron tomography of the primary chromatin fiber, optical super-resolution imaging of transcription processes, and label-free nano-sensing of chromatin packing and its dynamics in live cells. Using nano-ChIA, we observed that chromatin is localized into spatially separable packing domains, with an average diameter of around 200 nanometers, sub-megabase genomic size, and an internal fractal structure. The chromatin packing behavior of these domains exhibits a complex bidirectional relationship with active gene transcription. Furthermore, we found that properties of PDs are correlated among progenitor and progeny cells across cell division.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces · 2021 · 76 citations
- Materials science
- Inorganic chemistry
- Chemical engineering
) and a lower hydrogen release barrier.
Extraordinary role of Zn in enhancing thermoelectric performance of Ga-doped n-type PbTe
Energy & Environmental Science · 2021 · 233 citations
- Materials science
- Condensed matter physics
- Optoelectronics
The discordant Zn and Ga atoms raise the carrier concentration and soften phonon modes, resulting in superior performance nanostructured n-type PbTe.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces · 2020 · 25 citations
- Materials science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemical engineering
relaxivity) as compared to free MNS, which in combination with scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy evidenced the clustering and continued access to water of MNS following encapsulation. Furthermore, MBCNs were found to be noncytotoxic and able to deliver their hydrophilic and hydrophobic small-molecule payloads both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, the oxidation sensitivity of the hydrophobic PPS block allowed MBCNs to undergo a unique, triggerable transition in morphology into MNS-bearing micellar nanocarriers. In summary, MBCNs are an attractive platform for the delivery of molecular and nanoscale payloads for diverse on-demand and sustained drug delivery applications.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry C · 2020 · 11 citations
Senior authorCorresponding- Materials science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemical engineering
Solution preparation provides a versatile platform to extend the applications of transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) beyond those achievable with traditional vapor-based preparation methods. However, existing solution-based synthesis and exfoliation approaches present numerous challenges, including low-crystallinity material and incompatibility with complex geometries, particularly with respect to spatial control over interfacial regions. Perhaps interestingly, these disadvantages align well with some of the advantages of vapor phase synthesis. Here, we introduce a strategy that combines vapor phase deposition and solution chemistry to build TMD core–shell heterostructures housed in aqueous media and reap the benefits of both preparation methods. We report a new TMD core–shell heterostructure, Au@MoS2@WS2, with an Au nanoparticle core and MoS2 and WS2 shells and provide a means of suspending the structure in solution to allow for higher order patterning and ligand-based functionalization. High-resolution electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy provide a detailed analysis of the structure and interfaces of the core–shell heterostructures. UV–vis, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential measurements exhibit outstanding natural stability and monodispersity of Au@MoS2@WS2 in solution. As a proof of concept, the aqueous environment is utilized to both functionalize the core–shell heterostructures with electrostatic ligands and pattern them into desired configurations on a target substrate. This work harnesses the advantages of vapor phase preparation of nanomaterials and the functionality possible with aqueous suspension to expand future engineering and application opportunities of TMD heterostructures.
Recent grants
SENSORS:Design and Development of Remote Addressable Sensor Arrays for Toxic Agent Detection
NSF · $1.5M · 2003–2011
NSF · $341k · 2009–2013
EXP-SA: Receptor-Free Detection of Explosives
NSF · $400k · 2007–2011
MRI: Development: Design and Development of Near Field Acoustic Holography (NFAH) System
NSF · $277k · 2004–2008
NNCI: Soft and Hybrid Nanotechnology Experimental (SHyNE) Resource
NSF · $5.1M · 2015–2021
Frequent coauthors
- 290 shared
Mercouri G. Kanatzidis
Northwestern University
- 128 shared
Roberto dos Reis
Northwestern University
- 105 shared
Jiaqing He
- 95 shared
Gajendra S. Shekhawat
- 94 shared
Jinsong Wu
Wuhan University of Technology
- 88 shared
Chris Wolverton
Northwestern University
- 85 shared
Shiqiang Hao
National Energy Technology Laboratory
- 85 shared
Ctirad Uher
Michigan United
Labs
Education
- 1990
Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering
Lehigh University
- 1984
B.S., Metallurgical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India
Awards & honors
- Election to Faculty Honor Roll: NU Associated Student Govern…
- Microscopy Society of America (MSA) Fellowship (2009)
- Richard M. Fulrath Award (2008)
- American Ceramic Society Fellow (2003)
- 6th McBain Memorial Award, NCL, India (2007)
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