The Xia group is pursuing cutting-edge research in three major frontiers: nanotechnology, materials chemistry, and photonic devices.  Recently, the group starts to move into cell biology by harnessing the power of nanomaterials to develop novel tools for studying complex biological systems.  Students work collaboratively, develop fundamental skills of these areas, and emerge as generalists.

Nanostructured materials play an important role in many areas of modern science and technology.  A myriad of opportunities will come directly from the ability to produce nanomaterials with controllable properties, or to generate small structures in down-sized versions.