Minxiang (Glenn) Zeng has recieved a five-year CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation’s Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI)
Minxiang (Glenn) Zeng, assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas Tech University has received a five-year $530,000 award from National Science Foundation’s Division of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI). The CAREER program is one of NSF’s most prestigious awards for early-career faculty supporting those who demonstrate strong potential as leaders in both research and education.
Zeng’s project focuses on advancing the manufacturing of semiconductor chalcogenide films—materials used in emerging applications such as flexible electronics, sensors, and energy devices. While ink-based printing methods offer a scalable and cost-effective approach, controlling the structure of these materials during fabrication remains a challenge. Unintended porosity and poorly understood interfacial interactions can limit electrical performance and long-term reliability.
To address these challenges, Zeng’s research will develop new ink design strategies that improve how materials assemble during printing. The project will investigate how nanoparticle additives and colloidal components influence interfacial structure, with the goal of producing more uniform, low-porosity films under mild processing conditions. The work also aims to establish clear relationships between material structure and key performance metrics, including charge carrier transport and mechanical durability.
“The interfacial structure of printed materials plays a critical role in device performance,” Zeng said. “By developing a better understanding of these interfaces, we can provide practical design guidelines for more reliable and scalable manufacturing of electronic materials.”
“Zeng combines keen physical insight with his in-depth knowledge of different experimental techniques to address technological challenges of current interest,” said Rajesh Khare, chair of the department of chemical engineering. “This CAREER award recognizes his potential for making impactful contributions to manufacturing chalcogenide semiconductors.”
A central component of the research is the development of polymer-free nanoinks, which may reduce the insulating residues often associated with conventional additives. This approach is expected to improve both material performance and compatibility with low-temperature processing techniques.
In addition to its research goals, the project will support education and workforce development at Texas Tech. Undergraduate and graduate students will gain hands-on experience in materials design, advanced manufacturing, and device characterization. The program also includes outreach efforts that provide accessible, hands-on learning opportunities for K–12 students and promote interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers, supporting the development of the future U.S. workforce.