RESEARCH AREAS

R. P. H. Chang

Robert P. H. Chang Professor Northwestern University P: 847-491-3598 E: r-chang@northwestern.edu Chang Group B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1965; Ph.D., Princeton University, 1970

Biographical Sketch

R. P. H. Chang is a recognized innovator in materials research, interdisciplinary science education and international networking. He was a pioneer in the development of low temperature plasma processing for the microelectronics industry.

During his tenure at Northwestern University, he has headed the Materials Research Center funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). He provided a new vision for the center and launched new interdisciplinary research initiatives.  He has mentored over 30 Ph.D. students, trained over 25 postdocs, and published 300 peer reviewed articles.

Since 1995, Chang has organized a series of materials workshops in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East to promote global collaborations in materials. He created the Materials World Network (1995).Chang helped establish the Global Nanotechnology Network.He has served as the President of the Materials Research Society (1989).  He is the General Secretary and Founding President of the International Union of Materials Research Societies.

His groundbreaking education projects include the first National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experience for Teachers Program, the inquiry-and-design based Materials World Modules program for middle and high school students, and the nation's first nanotechnology education center, the NSF’s National Center for Learning and Teaching in Nanoscale Science and Engineering . In 2006, he launched the Global School for Advanced Studies with funding from the National Science Council of Taiwan. 

During the past twenty years, Chang has developed a world-wide network of materials researchers, and government and industry leaders.  He has served as an advisor to numerous university departments and centers, as well as government agencies.

Research Statement

Chang’s current research interests include nanostructured materials, nanophotonics, and advanced solar cell development.

Publications

• “p-Type semiconducting nickel oxide as an efficiency-enhancing anode interfacial layer in polymer bulk-heterojunction solar cells,” M. D. Irwin, B. Buchholz, A. W. Hains, et al., PNAS, 105, 2783-2787 (2008).
• “Carrier generation and inherent off-stoichiometry in Zn, Sn codoped indium oxide (ZITO) bulk and thin-film specimens,” S. P. Harvey, T. O. Mason, D. B. Buchholz, et al., J. Am Ceramic Soc. 91, 467-472 (2008).
• “Self-patterned nanocrystals in Zn-In-Sn-O thin films,” M. Zhang, D. B. Buchholz, S. J. Xie, et al., J. of Crystal Growth, 310, 671-675 (2008).

Most Significant Honors & Awards

• NSF Director’s Distinguished Teaching Scholar Award, 2005