EST2023 FIELD2D NANOMATERIALS INSTITUTIONNANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Tay Labs / Interdisciplinary Research Group

Engineering matter one atomic layer at a time: From synthesis to application.

We design and synthesize 2D and emerging nanomaterials — graphene, boron nitride, TMDs, MXenes, MBenes, high entropy alloys and their hybrids — and deploy them for various applications including energy storage, catalysis, memristive devices, thermal management, EM shielding, quantum emitters and coatings for extreme environments.

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55
Peer-reviewed publications
8
Active research thrusts
11
Group members
4
Industry & academic partners
01 / RESEARCH

Building functional materials for a Sustainable, Intelligent and Resilient future.

Our research spans synthesis, characterization, and device integration of 2D nanomaterials. Eight active thrusts translate fundamental atomic-scale insight into applications across energy, quantum, and extreme environments.

01 / FEATURED
Synthesis of 2D & emerging nanomaterials
CVD and wet-chemistry routes to low-dimensional materials: graphene, hBN, TMDs, MXenes, MBenes and other nanocomposites.
CVD h-BN Graphene MXene TMDs
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02 / FEATURED
Energy storage & catalysis
2D-engineered electrodes and catalysts for next-generation batteries, supercapacitors, and electrochemical conversion — from atomic interfaces to device-scale performance.
Batteries Supercapacitors HER / OER CO₂ reduction
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03 / FEATURED
Quantum & neuromorphic devices
Device platforms built on 2D hosts — memristors for neuromorphic and in-memory computing, single-photon emitters in hexagonal boron nitride, and on-chip waveguides and modulators for optical computing and communications.
Memristors Neuromorphic Quantum emitters Photonics
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04 / FEATURED
Functional composites for extreme environments
Anisotropic heat spreaders, lightweight broadband EM-absorbing composites, and ultrathin barrier films against atomic oxygen erosion — from high-power electronics to spacecraft surfaces.
Thermal interface EM absorption Stealth Space coatings
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02 / PUBLICATIONS

Selected publications

Highlights show recent papers led by the group. Use the filters to browse all 55 publications by year.

Filter 12 papers
03 / PEOPLE

The team behind the work.

An interdisciplinary group of materials scientists, physicists, chemists, and engineers — united by a shared interest in atomic-scale matter.

Principal Investigator
01
Group Lead
Roland Yingjie Tay
Principal Investigator · Tay Labs

Roland leads an interdisciplinary research group focused on the synthesis of 2D and emerging nanomaterials and their application across quantum, thermal, energy, and extreme-environment domains. His work bridges fundamental materials chemistry with device-scale engineering.

Google Scholar ORCID CV (PDF) Email
Research Leads
02
LEAD INVESTIGATOR
Wenwen Liu
Energy Storage · Electrocatalysis

Wenwen leads the development of rechargeable metal-air batteries, high-energy-density supercapacitors, and earth-abundant electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution and water splitting, bridging fundamental structure–activity insights with all-solid-state, flexible device platforms.

Google Scholar ORCID CV (PDF) Email
Postdoctoral Researchers
03
Graduate Students
07
Alumni
04
04 / NEWS

Recent updates

Awards, new publications, talks, and team milestones.

Showing 6 most recent of — updates
Join the lab

Build the next generation of functional materials with us.

We're always looking for curious, rigorous people across materials chemistry, condensed-matter physics, and electrical engineering. PhD students, postdocs, and visiting researchers are welcome to reach out.

Apply now → Email the PI
Open positions 04 / 04
Postdoctoral Researcher — 2D material synthesis for quantum applications
Apply by 2026.06.30
Open
Postdoctoral Researcher — Thermal management for high-power electronics
Apply by 2026.06.30
Open
PhD Student — Integrated photonics and device fabrication
Fully funded · 4 years
Open
PhD Student — Advanced energy storage devices
Fully funded · 4 years
Open
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