The Applied Physics Division has long served as a premier forum for device physicists, engineers, material scientists, technologists, and surface analysts working at the forefront of renewable energy and storage technology, nano-engineered materials, quantum technologies, biomedical devices, and high-frequency communications. Research topics encompass material synthesis, device engineering, surface/interface characterization, modeling, and system-level integration. The Applied Physics Division invites original research contributions spanning advanced materials, device physics, and emerging engineering technologies. The division’s scope includes the following topics:
– Solar Cells, Batteries, Thermoelectric Devices, and Supercapacitors
– Catalysis, Fuel Cells, and Water Splitting
– Bio-batteries, Bio-solar Cells, and Microbial Fuel Cells
– Nanomaterial Synthesis, 2D Materials, and Related Devices
– Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and Transistors
– Materials for Quantum Information Science
– Biomedical Devices and Wearables
– Antenna, Amplifiers, and Passive Devices for High-Speed Communication

Lead-halide compounds of perovskite structure have emerged as a new class of photovoltaic materials, achieving high power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of over 26% in an unprecedented short period. Despite the startling device efficiency, an unavoidable PCE down over time is a major hurdle for real-world operation. Many studies have shown that the degradation of the device is triggered by many external and internal factors. Especially, the accelerated PCE loss caused by simultaneous thermal and light stress is critical. Developing effective countermeasures based on the analysis of this loss mechanism is essential.
We addressed these challenges through chemical and electronic investigations. The buried interface analysis between the perovskite layer and interfacing materials using Hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the chemical decomposition of the MAPbI3 perovskite is interface dependent. In fact, the development of new interface materials conducted in parallel to the mechanism investigations, we realized that sputter-deposited NiOx (sp-NiOx) layers were effective to slow down the device degradation. Being robust inorganic interface material and processible at room temperatures, the sp-NiOx could be an ideal material for the practical applications. Another issue is the mobile ions in lead-halide perovskites, which are mixed conductors. The ionic charge accumulates at the perovskite near the interfacing materials, affecting the change injection/extraction efficiencies, and thus short-term as well as long-term device performances. Analysis on the dynamic ion species through an operand HAXPES study and interface material design highlight an intrinsic factor essential for enhancing the long-term stability of perovskite solar cells. Similarly, we will discuss that further investigations on the interface materials and the treatments of the perovskite surfaces resulted in the improvement of the device performance.

2D materials have emerged as a powerful platform for next-generation optoelectronic technologies due to their unique electronic structure, strong light matter interaction, and ultrafast carrier dynamics. Their atomic thickness, mechanical flexibility, and compatibility with diverse substrates make them particularly attractive for scalable and energy efficient device integration
This talk will present recent advances in the synthesis and engineering of 2D materials, with emphasis on phase, defect, and nanoscale structural control for optoelectronic applications. The impact of geometry and interfaces on charge transport and photoresponse will be discussed using insights from optical spectroscopy, scanning probe measurements, and device characterization. Finally, key challenges and prospects for integrating 2D materials into scalable ultrafast optoelectronic platforms will be outlined.