Andrew J. Mannix | Faculty Spotlight
Andrew J. Mannix
Assistant Professor
Materials Science and Engineering
"Given that Stanford played a key role in the dawn of the modern silicon and information revolutions, to me, the University will always be synonymous with groundbreaking scientific and technological achievements."
Where were you born and raised?
Born in Ogden, Utah, I spent my formative years around Air Force bases, from Belleville, Illinois, my hometown, to Albuquerque and even Naples, Italy. These diverse experiences enriched my perspective early on.
What led you to the engineering field?
My fascination with electronics started early. I was tinkering with MS DOS computers before I fully mastered reading. The moment my dad brought home a laptop, I was captivated by the possibilities of miniaturized technology. While I had diverse interests, including history and writing, I was drawn to engineering by articles on future materials like carbon nanotubes. It was evident that finding new and better materials was a crucial bottleneck for advancing technology and improving the world.
Where did you study?
I pursued my undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, followed by a Ph.D. at Northwestern University. I continued with a postdoctoral position at the University of Chicago.
What led you to Stanford and your current role?
Given that Stanford played a key role in the dawn of the modern silicon and information revolutions, to me, the University will always be synonymous with groundbreaking scientific and technological achievements. I was drawn to apply when I saw an opening, eager to immerse myself in the unique possibilities offered by this environment. The vibrant intellectual community on campus has greatly expanded my research perspective—I've been profoundly influenced by the collaborative atmosphere and have discovered new interests through interactions with my colleagues. Additionally, being in close proximity to leading semiconductor innovators has provided my research group with a practical, applications-driven perspective, crucial for addressing significant technological challenges. There's also a palpable excitement on campus; everyone seems eager to discuss the latest scientific discoveries, infusing everyday conversations with an infectious energy.
Please describe any of your current research you would like highlighted and describe its importance, and/or any research you hope to accomplish in the future.
My research group specializes in the study of two-dimensional crystals, composed of discrete layers that are only 1-3 atoms thick. These single layers are profoundly interesting because they represent the thinnest continuous films that can be physically created and exhibit remarkable properties. For example, materials such as graphene (a semimetal) and tungsten selenide (WSe2, a semiconductor) display high charge carrier mobilities, exceptional transistor performance, and the ability to host unique quantum states.
These properties, along with entirely new characteristics, can be enhanced by physically stacking these layers atop one another using micromanipulators. This stacking process can create entirely new properties like superconductivity or arrays of quantum dots to emerge.
Our research covers a wide spectrum of activities involving these two-dimensional materials, from synthesizing the initial crystals to fabricating advanced devices, and exploring the relationships between atomic structure, defects, and their resultant properties. We have recently developed a versatile method for growing high-quality 2D crystals that facilitates easy tuning of growth chemistry. This breakthrough has significantly advanced our research in electronic devices, revealing novel ways to boost device performance through mechanical strain. Importantly, this discovery has brought attention to mechanical effects, which have often been overlooked in prior studies. Additionally, we have developed automated tools for layer stacking, aiming to systematize and accelerate the process of creating stacked 2D layer devices.
Furthermore, we've expanded our synthesis techniques to produce thicker multilayer crystals of 2D semiconductors that exhibit ferroelectricity. This development opens up potential applications in nonlinear optics, innovative transistor designs, and solar energy conversion.
Additionally, our team is making considerable progress in understanding the properties of single atomic defects in 2D materials using atomic-scale scanning probe microscopy and spectroscopy, providing deeper insights into their fundamental behaviors.
What advice do you have for aspiring scientist researchers in the field?
As an aspiring scientist, it is both your right and your responsibility to use your talents to solve problems that you find genuinely exciting. Today, the world presents many important challenges that need addressing – for example, climate change, clean energy, sustainable manufacturing, quantum technologies, and advanced microelectronics. Scientists and engineers truly have a wealth of choices for fields to study and make an impact. Considering the vast array of significant problems available, it makes sense to engage with those that you find inherently fascinating. Everyone finds their excitement in different ways; discover what invigorates you and let that drive your scientific journey.
