Craig P. Yu, Professor
Education and Research Experiences
2025.08 – present, FUNSOM, Soochow University, Professor
2022.09 – 2025.08, University of Cambridge, Herchel Smith Postdoctoral Fellow
2021.10 – 2022.09, The University of Tokyo, Research Assistant Professor
2018.09 – 2021.09, The University of Tokyo, JSPS doctoral fellow
2016.09 – 2018.06, University of Ottawa, master degree
2012.09 – 2016.06, University of Toronto, bachelor degree
Research Interests
Organic π-conjugated small molecules and polymers exhibit remarkable optoelectronic properties and excellent solution processability, making them highly promising core materials for flexible displays, wearable electronics, and printable integrated circuits. Our research group focuses on the molecular design and synthesis of novel organic semiconductors with high charge-carrier mobilities. By integrating experimental techniques with quantum computational methods, we aim to unravel the structure–property relationships among molecular design, solid-state assembly, and charge transport characteristics. With high-performance organic semiconductors, our goal is to develop large-area, solution-processed organic field-effect transistors and complementary circuits, thereby driving technological innovations in flexible and printable optoelectronic devices.
Honors and Awards
Herchel Smith Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, 2022 –2025
1851 Royal Commission’s Research Fellowship, 2022
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Research Fellowship (PD), 2021 - 2022
JSPS Research Fellowship (DC2), 2020 - 2021
Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Fellows, 2020 - 2022
The University of Tokyo Fellowship, 2018 - 2020
9th CSJ Chemistry Festa Best Poster Presentation Award, 2019
9th CSJ Chemistry Festa Excellent Oral Presentation Award, 2019
Join us!
Our research group is looking for master/PhD students who are passionate in materials chemistry and sciences to work on various aspects of organic electronics from materials synthesis to device fabrications. We are also looking for postdoc fellows who have a strong background in synthetic chemistry, solid-state physics, materials sciences, electronic devices to lead our research projects. Please email your CV and research of interests to craigpyu@suda.edu.cn
Selected Publications
1. Yu, C. P.; Kumagai, S.; Kushida, T.; Mitani, M.; Mitsui, C.; Ishii, H.; Takeya, J.; Okamoto, T. “Mixed-Orbital Charge Transport in N-Shaped Benzene- and Pyrazine-Fused Organic Semiconductors” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144, 11159-11167.
2. Yu, C. P.; Yamamoto, A.; Kumagai, S.; Takeya, J.; Okamoto, T. “Electron-Deficient Benzo[de]isoquinolino[1,8-gh]quinoline Diamide π-Electron Systems” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.2023, 62, e202206417.
3. Yu, C. P.; Chowdhury, R.; Fu, Y.; Ghosh, P.; Zeng, W.; Mustafa, T.; Grüne, J.; Walker, L. E.; Congrave, D. G.; Murto, P.; Rao, A.; Sirringhaus, H.; Plasser, F.; Grey, C. P.; Friend, R. H.; Bronstein, H. “Near-Infrared Luminescent Open-Shell π-Conjugated Systems with a Bright Lowest-Energy Zwitterionic Singlet Excited State” Sci. Adv. 2024, 10, eado3476.
4. Yu, C. P.; Kumagai, S.; Tsutsumi, M.; Kurosawa, T.; Ishii, H.; Watanabe, G.; Hashizume, D.; Sugiura, H.; Tani, Y.; Ise, T.; Watanabe, T.; Sato, H.; Yamano, A.; Takeya, J.; Okamoto, T. “Asymmetrically Functionalized Nitrogen-Containing π-Electron System for Printed Single-Crystalline Organic Electronics” Adv. Sci. 2023, 10, 2207440.
5. Yu, C. P.; Kojima, N.; Kumagai, S.; Kurosawa, T.; Ishii, H.; Watanabe, G.; Takeya, J.; Okamoto, T. “Approaching Isotropic Charge Transport of n-Type Organic Semiconductors with Bulky Substituents” Commun. Chem. 2021, 4, 155.
6. Yu, C. P.; Mitani, M.; Ishii, H.; Yamagishi, M.; Kitamura, H.; Yano, M.; Takeya, J.; Okamoto, T. “Effect of Electronically Distinct Aromatic Substituents on the Molecular Assembly and Hole Transport of V-Shaped Organic Semiconductors” J. Phys. Chem. C 2020, 124, 17503-17511.
7. Yu, C. P.; Kimura, R.; Kurosawa, T.; Fukuzaki, E.; Watanabe, T.; Ishii, H.; Kumagai, S.; Yano, M.; Takeya, J.; Okamoto, T. “Air-Stable Benzo[c]thiophene Diimide n-Type π-Electron Core” Org. Lett. 2019, 21, 4448-4453.
8. Okamoto, T.; Yu, C. P.; Mitsui, C.; Yamagishi, M.; Ishii, H.; Takeya, J. “Bent-Shaped p-Type Small Molecule Organic Semiconductors: A Molecular Design Strategy for Next-Generation Practical Applications” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020, 142, 9083-9096.
9. Kumagai, S.; Yu, C. P.; Nakano, S.; Annaka, T.; Mitani, M.; Yano, M.; Ishii, H.; Takeya, J.; Okamoto, T. “Role of Perfluorophenyl Group in the Side Chain of Small-Molecule n-Type Organic Semiconductors in Stress Stability of Single-Crystal Transistors” J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2021, 12, 2095-2101.
10. Kumagai, S.; Ishii, H.; Watanabe, G.; Yu, C. P.; Watanabe, S.; Takeya, J.; Okamoto, T. “Nitrogen-Containing Perylene Diimides: Molecular Design, Robust Aggregated Structures and Advances in n-Type Organic Semiconductors" Acc. Chem. Res. 2022, 55, 660-672.
Edited by Juan Yang