The RTNN hosts a collaborative REU site that leverages the strength of collaborative research on hybrid materials, specifically hybrid perovskites, together with the integrated nanotechnology tools of the RTNN to provide a state-of-the-art research experience on a timely research topic that has direct and tangible technological applications (e.g. solar cells, lighting, lasers). Each year, twelve students conduct research in faculty labs across the three RTNN institutions: the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, and Duke University. The project is led by Professors Jim Cahoon (UNC), David Mitzi (Duke), and Aram Amassian (NC State).
Hybrid perovskites are exciting materials that enable state-of-the-art technology for solar cells, lighting, lasers and more. We are seeking undergraduate applicants to experience novel research on this topic during Summer 2025, pending funding, under the guidance of renowned faculty at NC State University, UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University. Participating faculty span the departments of Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, and Applied Science.
- ~12 students will be supported for 10 weeks (tentatively scheduled May 16 – July 25, 2026 (10 weeks)
- Students will experience hands-on contemporary research topics on hybrid organic-inorganic materials including synthesis and processing, modeling and characterization, and device fabrication and testing
- Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program and be a US Citizen or permanent resident
- Selected applicants will receive a $7,000 stipend (inclusive of a food and transportation stipend). External students requiring travel or housing to participate may be eligible for additional assistance with living expenses (housing, food, and travel to the site and REU convocation)
To strengthen inter-institutional relationships, each student partners with a peer working on a complementary project at a different RTNN university. Team-building, professional development, and social activities are interwoven into the program schedule.
There are three objectives for this REU program: (1) To provide a hands-on research experience in hybrid perovskite materials that reinforces student knowledge of cutting-edge characterization techniques and analytical tools that can be used to evaluate the nanoscopic structure of hybrid perovskite systems; (2) to foster student interest in pursuing a career in STEM fields, especially those from underrepresented groups; and (3) to develop communication and networking skills in each of the participants.
Important Notes: All participants in this REU program are expected to also attend the national NNCI REU Convocation at the end of the RT-REU program. The 2026 NNCI REU Convocation and will be located at Georgia Tech University, likely the first week of August TBD)
This program is considered a full-time commitment over the 10-week period. Participants are not permitted to participate in any part- or full-time commitments while participating in the program (e.g., summer courses, other jobs, etc.)
Important Dates:
- Priority Application Deadline: February 20, 2026
- Note: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis on and after the priority deadline until all spots are filled. We will accept applications after this date, but it is not guaranteed to be considered.
- Applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis, no later than May 2026
Note: Reference Projects below while applying
Faculty Mentors and Example Projects
The following are examples of the types of projects you could expect to participate in this summer. The application will ask you to rank these in preference. Please note these project details may change. We will do our best to accommodate participants’ preferences for institution, professor, and topic.
Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Lower-dimensional Perovskites and Derivatives”
(Prof. Xiaotong Li, NC State)
Lower-dimensional halide perovskites can be derived from 3D perovskites by slicing the octahedral layers in different directions and incorporating large organic cations called spacers. The hydrophobic organic cations create a protective “umbrella” layer, shielding the structures from environmental degradation. Incorporating spacer cations can dramatically increase the structural tunability and functionality of the lower-dimensional perovskites. One possible project is to explore new spacers as well as A-site cations for multilayer 2D perovskites, and study how they affect the structures and properties of the materials. Another direction is to study non-Pb hybrid metal halides with main-group elements such as In, Sb and Bi or transition metals like Mn, Cu and Zn, combined with different organic cations. All these materials exhibit great potential for optoelectronic applications such as solar cells, LEDs, lasers and spintronics. The materials will be synthesized through solution methods and their structures will be characterized by powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Their optical properties will be measured by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The REU student will work with a graduate student or postdoctoral researcher. The REU student will also receive mentorship from the PI by participating in weekly group meetings and subgroup meetings, as well as scheduled individual meetings.
“AI-Guided Autonomous Learning of Perovskite Fabrication Science” (Prof. Aram Amassian, NC State)
This project will immerse the REU student in an interdisciplinary research program at the intersection of perovskite materials science and data-driven engineering, building directly on prior work by Amassian and coworkers using the same automated fabrication and diagnostics platform. The student will investigate thin-film processing of halide perovskites, with emphasis on morphology development during solution deposition and the use of in line computer vision to evaluate thin films and in situ optical diagnostics, such as UV-Vis reflectance, absorbance and photoluminescence, to monitor film formation in real time. By integrating automation with AI/ML-based autonomous learning algorithms, the project will explore the self-guided fabrication of new perovskite formulations and processing pathways for thin-film electronic and optoelectronic devices, investigating hypotheses along the way in solvent engineering, leading to the development of green formulations informed by processing science. The REU student will gain hands-on experience with robotic experimentation, data acquisition, and machine-learning tools, while also developing a strong foundation in perovskite thin-film science, including structure–processing–property relationships. The student will work closely with graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, participate in regular group meetings, and receive direct mentorship from the PI throughout the project.
“Perovskite Photodetectors and Nanoimprinted Laser Cavities on Silicon” (Prof. Qing Gu, NC State)
This project will engage the REU student in experimental research on metal-halide perovskite optoelectronic devices integrated with silicon platforms, with an emphasis on both device characterization and nanoscale patterning. The student will characterize perovskite-on-silicon photodetectors, performing electrical and optical measurements, including current-voltage characteristics, responsivity, and spectral response. In parallel, the student will work with nanoimprint lithography as a scalable patterning technique for structuring perovskite thin films into optical resonators and laser cavities, investigating how different perovskite compositions and film morphologies respond to nanoscale imprinting. Through this combined effort, the project will examine the interplay between material processing, nanoscale structure, and optoelectronic performance in perovskite devices. The student will gain hands-on experience in nanofabrication, thin film, and optoelectronic device characterization, work closely with graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, and receive direct mentorship from the PI.
Data-Intensified Autonomous Lab for Data-Driven Halide Perovskite Nanocrystal Synthesis (Prof. Milad Abolhasani, NC State)
This REU project will immerse the student in the development of a data-intensification strategy for synthesis science studies of metal halide perovskite nanocrystals using dynamic experimentation in continuous-flow reactors. Building on the group’s expertise in flow chemistry, microfluidics, and self-driving laboratories, the student will study how time-varying reaction conditions (e.g., temperature, flow rate, concentration, and reagent ratios) can be deliberately programmed to extract maximal information from minimal material and experimental time. The project will focus on synthesizing and characterizing metal halide perovskite nanocrystals under dynamically changing flow conditions while collecting rich, high-frequency in-line and on-line data (e.g., optical spectroscopy, reaction metrics, and process variables). These data streams will be used to construct structure–processing–property relationships and inform AI-assisted decision-making algorithms that guide subsequent experiments in an autonomous or semi-autonomous loop. Through this work, the student will gain hands-on experience with flow reactor operation, automated data acquisition, and data-centric experimental design, while learning how dynamic experiments enable orders-of-magnitude improvements in learning efficiency compared to traditional steady-state approaches. The REU student will work closely with a graduate student or postdoctoral researcher, participate in regular group and subgroup meetings, and receive direct mentorship from the PI throughout the project.
“Perovskites for Superfluorescence” (Prof. Franky So, NC State)
Superfluorescence is a phenomenon where a system exhibits enhanced emission due to the cooperative behavior of the excited states. This phenomenon has been observed in various perovskite material systems. Understanding and harnessing this effect can lead to breakthroughs in developing new light-emitting devices with superior performance. In this project, you will be focusing on the synthesis and preparation of perovskite thin films and then studying their superfluorescence properties. The objective of the project is to synthesize perovskite materials and prepare thin film samples for the analysis of superfluorescence properties under different conditions, specifically including: 1. Synthesis of perovskite precursor solutions; 2. Substrate pretreatment; 3. Deposition of perovskite thin films; 4. Sample encapsulation; 5. Material and spectroscopic characterization. This project offers a comprehensive introduction to the synthesis and analysis of perovskite materials, with a focus on exploring their superfluorescence properties. The successful preparation of perovskite samples will enable the investigation of superfluorescence phenomena in these materials, such as by analyzing how different preparation conditions affect superfluorescence. The skills and knowledge gained will be valuable for students interested in materials science, chemistry, and optoelectronics research.
“Charge Carrier Dynamics in 2D Hybrid Perovskites” (Prof. Gundogdu, NC State)
The REU student on this project will study optically excited carrier dynamics in various hybrid perovskite thin films using time resolved spectroscopy techniques existing in the Gundogdu lab. The goal of the research will be revealing exciton charge separation, relaxation, and recombination kinetics in designed hybrid perovskite structures. The student will work on 2D layered perovskites in which both the organic cation layer and the inorganic components are optically active. In other words, depending on the photon energy, optical excitations create carriers in organic, inorganic, or both components. The relative alignment of the electronic energy levels and the electronic coupling between the component materials leads to tunable electronic properties. As a result, this material system can be the basis of many optoelectronic applications such as solid state lighting and photovoltaics. The RT-REU student will contribute to these studies by performing linear optical absorption and ultrafast differential transmission experiments. In the time-resolved experiments, a tunable laser source with 100 fs pulse width excites the material, and a broadband probe pulse measures the population in different electronic states at various time delays. By tuning the excitation pulse across the absorption bands of the material, the student will selectively excite the organic or inorganic component of the material and investigate resulting dynamics. The outcome of these studies will be used to design perovskite based electronic materials.
“Perovskite-Based Spin-optoelectronic and thermoelectronic devices” (Prof. Dali Sun, NC State)
Sun’s research group focuses on studying the spin-dependent optoelectronic and thermelectronic device physics using reduced-dimensional hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites. The RT-REU students will be trained to operate a glove box integrated vacuum deposition system and nanofabrication tools in Sun’s group. The students will assist in fabricating hybrid perovskite-based devices, including light-emitting diodes, thermoelectronic, and spintronic devices. The research topics focus on the interplay between spin, light, charge, and phonons. Working with the senior graduate students in Sun’s group, the REU students will learn to develop LabVIEW programs and variable temperature magnetotransport in a cryostat system for characterizing the spin-dependent optoelectronic and thermoelectronic properties in various hybrid perovskite thin films.
“Fabrication and Measurement of Perovskite based Devices” (Prof. Jinsong Huang, UNC)
In this project, a REU student will be trained to use the scalable coating methods to make high performance perovskite devices on either rigid or flexible indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates. The student will learn how thin-film devices work and the processes to make a thin film solar cell and a large-area solar module. The student will have hand-on experience from perovskite ink formulation, charge transport layer coating, perovskite thin film coating, and electrode deposition. The REU student will exposed various advanced solution and vapor deposition methods, including blade coating, spray coating, slot-die coating, thermal evaporation, sputtering, atomic layer deposition, and process methods, such as UV ozone, plasma treatment, laser scribing, advanced encapsulation, and device measurements, such as current-voltage measurement, defect density measurement, photoluminescence measurement, and PL intensity and lifetime mapping.
“CVD Growth, Conversion, and Passivation of Hybrid Perovskites” (Prof. James Cahoon, UNC)
Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods are widely used to synthesize thin film and nanostructured semiconductors, yet a robust method to synthesize hybrid perovskites by CVD has not been developed. The Cahoon group recently reported the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) synthesis of lead halide nanowires and their conversion to hybrid perovskites using a CVD process. Hybrid perovskites such as MAPbI3 are often formed by the intercalation of an organic halide with a lead halide, such as the introduction of methylammonium iodide (MAI) into a lead iodide (PbI2) crystal lattice. For hybrid perovskites, these reactions are typically performed in the solution phase rather than vapor phase through a CVD type process, yet vapor-phase processes can potentially produce higher quality, pure materials and retain the morphology of the initial materials. RT-REU students will study the vapor-phase growth and conversion of lead halide and perovskite materials using a custom-built CVD in the Cahoon group. This one-of-a-kind CVD systems features vapor-phase precursors including tetraethyl lead, monomethylamine, HCl, HBr, and HI gases. These gases are safely introduced into a thermal reactor with pressure, temperature, and flow rates all under computer control. Using this system, researchers can study both the direct growth of hybrid perovskites and the conversion of lead halides to perovskite, as well as the vapor-phase passivation of perovskites using individual component gases. Studies will be performed on materials grown in-house as well as on single-crystals obtained from RT-REU collaborating groups (e.g. Huang, You). RT-REU students will learn the principles of CVD processes and characterization techniques available in RTNN facilities, including scanning and transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. They will develop skills in LabView and MatLab data collection and analysis and receive training on literature review, oral presentations, and manuscript preparation. In addition to RT-REU activities, students will participate in and present at sub-group and group meetings.
“Optical Probe of Chirality Transfer in Organic-Inorganic Semiconductors” (Prof. Lina Quan, UNC)
The Quan Lab focuses on developing next-generation spintronic materials and establishing a fundamental understanding of their spin and charge transport properties. To explore the potential of chiral semiconductors for spintronic applications, we first identified a critical knowledge gap: the limited mechanistic understanding of chirality-induced spin transport and the lack of effective methods to probe spin selectivity. REU students in the Quan Lab will gain hands-on experience working with both bulk crystals and thin films of organic–inorganic hybrid semiconductors. They will have the opportunity to use ultrafast pump–probe spectroscopy to investigate optically induced excited-state spin dynamics and their underlying structure–property relationships. This project was recently funded by the DOE Early Career Program in collaboration with theory groups at Duke University and UNC–Chapel Hill. REU students will receive daily mentorship from senior graduate students in the lab and will participate in weekly group discussions to support their experimental training and conceptual development.
“Novel Hybrid Perovskites with Tailored Organic Cations” (Prof. Wei You, UNC)
The Youlab is interested in advancing research and education in the area of novel organic/inorganic hybrid perovskites for fundamental understanding and a variety of applications. RT-REU student participants in the You lab will work with a graduate student and the PI to learn all aspects of hybrid perovskites, including synthesis, characterization of fundamental properties, and device fabrication and testing. Depending upon the REU student’s own research interest and research experience/background, the REU student will be supervised by the graduate student mentor on a specific project, either synthesis (organic and/or inorganic synthesis) oriented or device focused. The graduate student mentor will provide day-to-day mentoring with support from all members of the You lab, including the PI. The You lab has found this is the best strategy to support the REU student’s growth as an independent researcher while broadening his/her research experience through group meetings and interactions with all lab members. Moreover, due to the multidisciplinary nature of these projects, the REU student will have the opportunity to participate in project-focused group meetings to interact with researchers at other institutions (Duke and NC State)
“Computational Discovery and Understanding of Tailored Hybrid Perovskites” (Prof. Volker Blum, Duke)
The Blum group focuses on quantum-mechanical, electronic structure based computational predictions of structure and properties of new materials, with a strong focus on developing new computational methods based on electronic structure theory. Through long-term, joint developments led by Blum, the group is connected to a large, international community of researchers, including the FHI-aims all-electron electronic structure code and the open-source “ELSI” infrastructure, which bridges several leading electronic structure software packages. Blum’s group is also involved in a separate NSF-funded project “HybriD3”, focused on broadening the materials space of new hybrid perovskites, as well as in a DoE Energy Frontier Research Center, “Center for Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Semiconductors for Energy” (CHOISE), focused on elucidating the physics of emergent phenomena such as spin, charge and light-matter interactions in new organic-inorganic hybrids. The undergraduate researcher in this project will use electronic structure methods to elucidate questions related to tailored structure (e.g. by incorporating chiral molecules to manipulate spin and chiroptical properties) and energy band structures of complex hybrid perovskites, using state-of the-art computational approaches that can nevertheless be learned by a sufficiently motivated undergraduate student. Mentoring will be provided by Blum as well as by a senior Ph.D. student or postdoctoral researcher in the group. The student will also be trained in using advanced computational research equipment effectively, e.g.supercomputers such as those accessible through the National Energy Research Supercomputing Center.
“Structural fluctuations and atomic dynamics in hybrid perovskites” – Prof. Olivier Delaire (Duke)
Hybrid metal halide perovskites are attracting intense interest for their exceptional photovoltaic and optoelectronic performance, as well as unusual thermal properties. Yet, the origins of their long photocarrier lifetimes, defect tolerance, and unusual ultralow thermal conductivity remain poorly understood and controversial. Halide perovskites are unusually soft and anharmonic materials, and their atomic structure and dynamics are not well captured by conventional textbook models. Although they are crystalline materials, their atomic dynamics have been characterized as nearly liquid-like or “phonon glasses”. Studies from the Delaire group have established previously unknown collective fluctuations of the crystal structure in halide perovskites, which are more recently being found to occur in the entire family of these materials. Understanding the atomic structure (fluctuations) and dynamics is key to understand photocarrier-lattice coupling and material performance. In this project, the student will work with Raman spectroscopy, x-ray and neutron scattering techniques, with mentoring from PhD students, to characterize the atomic structure and dynamics in hybrid perovskites and shed light on these important scientific questions.
“Exploring Structure-Property Tunability in Crystalline and Glass-Forming Perovskites” (Prof. David Mitzi, Duke)
Halide perovskites represent a diverse collection of structures ranging from strictly inorganic to organic-containing and from zero- to three-dimensional connectivity within the underlying inorganic framework. These semiconductors offer an unprecedented opportunity for tailoring outstanding electronic characteristics for optoelectronic and spintronic devices, including a direct and tunable band gap, small electron/hole effective masses, defect tolerance (or resistance to non-radiative recombination), and various forms of spin splitting. Furthermore, this materials family can be processed cheaply and effectively using a number of simple solution- and vacuum-based approaches. One project within the group relates to understanding how organic cation choice during 2D perovskite synthesis determines the final structure type (e.g., effective dimensionality and connectivity of the metal halide octahedra, degree of distortion of the octahedra, overall symmetry of the structure) and whether computational approaches (e.g., machine learning coupled with molecular dynamics) can be used to predict the resulting structural and electronic characteristics. Such predictability would fundamentally change materials design within this important semiconductor family. A second possible project relates to a recent observation from our group that certain choices of organic cation can help to access a glassy state (i.e., lacking long-range order) for the hybrid 2D system. Since the amorphous (glassy) state has different physical properties from the crystalline state, ability to switch between the two states provides unique opportunities for optoelectronics and energy applications. The current project seeks to understand the structural basis of these glass-forming perovskites and how to control the kinetics of switching between the amorphous and crystalline states. Both projects will explore structure-property relationship using a combination of tools/approaches that may include crystal growth or film deposition, X-ray diffraction, optical and scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and optical spectroscopies.
“Matrix-Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation of Perovskite” (Prof. Adrienne Stiff-Roberts, Duke)
A critically important requirement to realize the promise of hybrid perovskites as a semiconductor technology is the controlled and reproducible manufacture of thin films at scale. Thin-film deposition of heterogeneous systems comprising two or more materials with fundamentally different properties is a critical challenge to overcome because, traditionally, solution-phase processing of organic materials is not compatible with vapor-phase processing of inorganic materials. However, RIR-MAPLE is a hybrid deposition technique that is applicable to a wide range of organic and hybrid materials and is compatible with a variety of substrates. In this REU project, the overall goal is to explore the feasibility of RIR-MAPLE as a manufacturing system for hybrid perovskites. Some critical requirements will be investigated to enable an industrial-scale RIR-MAPLE process, including: in-situ monitoring and feedback to provide real-time information on film thickness and composition; extension of film thickness uniformity to larger areas for high-throughput manufacturing; and determination of maximum background pressures at which controlled film deposition can occur to relax vacuum requirements.
This material is based upon work which is supported by the National Science Foundation (award numbers 2447827, 2447828, 2447829). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.