Dr. Apparao Rao is the R. A. Bowen Professor of Physics at Clemson University. A long-time inventor and innovator, Rao received his Ph.D. in condensed matter physics from the University of Kentucky in 1989 prior to serving as a post-doctoral research associate at MIT. His first work as a professor was at the University of Kentucky before he joined Clemson in 2000. During his time at Clemson, Rao has founded and continues to direct the Clemson Nanomaterials Institute (CNI) and serves as the Associate Dean for Discovery for the College of Science. Being a Fellow of the American Physical Society, AAAS, and more recently the National Academy of Inventors, Rao has been awarded with multiple honors.
Rao’s laboratory has explored many different aspects of nanomaterials. At the fundamental level, his team has innovated novel synthesis methods and spectroscopic characterization methods for nanomaterials. Some of the recent applications include triboelectric nanogenerators and electrochemical energy storage devices. These technologies can lead to a greener, more affordable, and sustainable future across the globe.
Over the past seventeen years, Dr. Rao has served Clemson well. His research and inventions have earned him accolades, while his time directing the CNI has anchored him as a prestigious faculty member and mentor to many future researchers.
To learn more about Dr. Rao and his research, click here.
