About
Sanwu Wang, Ph.D., is a professor and the coordinator of the graduate program in physics and engineering physics at The University of Tulsa. He is a theoretical physicist in condensed matter physics, materials science, and nanotechnology. His recent research involves first-principles density-functional-theory calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations for electronic materials, nanocatalysis, nanocomposites, mechanical materials, electrochemical systems, superconductors, biofuels, etc. He has published over 60 papers in journals like Nature Materials, Nature Catalysis, and Physical Review Letters. His research has been funded by NSF, DOE, NASA, ORAU, PRF, etc.
Professor Wang’s academic journey began with a B.S. in Physics and a Graduate Diploma in Theoretical Physics in China. He later received his Ph.D. in Physics in 1999 from the University of Newcastle, Australia. From 1999-2002, he did his postdoctoral research at Vanderbilt University and Florida State University. He was then a research assistant professor at Vanderbilt University till 2006 when he joined the faculty of The University of Tulsa. Besides mentoring postdocs and Ph.D./M.S./undergraduate students, Professor Wang has taught various undergraduate and graduate courses.
Professor Wang is a recipient of the 2012 Zelimir Schmidt Award for Outstanding Research and a winner of the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award.
Awards and Honors
Zelimir Schmidt Award for Outstanding Research, College of Engineering and Natural Sciences, The University of Tulsa. (2012).
Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award, Oak Ridge Associated Universities. (2008).
Overseas Postgraduate Research Scholarship (OPRS), Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA), the Australian Commonwealth Government. (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998).
Education
- Ph.D., The University of Newcastle, Australia
- Dissertation: “Theoretical Studies of Adsorption and Co-Adsorption on the Si(111) Surface”
Research interests and areas of expertise
- Condensed matter theory
- Quantum theory
- Density functional theory
- Computational materials science and nanoscience
- First-principles quantum-mechanical calculations
- Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations
- Electronic materials
- Catalytic materials
- High-entropy ceramics
- Solar cell perovskites
- Superconductors
- Biofuels
- Surfaces and interfaces
- Physical chemistry
- Chemistry physics.