Reidy Research Group
IDEA Lab
Welcome to the Reidy Group!
The IDEA (In-situ and Dynamically Engineered Atomic Architectures) Lab, led by Prof. Kate Reidy, builds and studies nanomaterials, one atom at a time. Our group extends the limits of nanoscale design by controlling atomic-scale kinetic and thermodynamic phenomena, mapping structural dynamics to quantum, energy, and opto-electronic properties. We accomplish this through the lens of our training as microscopists, utilizing in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to observe, control, and design emerging nanostructures. Our long-term goal is 'reverse design': beginning with a target property, designing the atomic architecture that delivers it, and creating a recipe to build it atom-by-atom.
Nanostructured and Quantum Interfaces
We study the synthesis of nanostructures and the atomically sharp interfaces they form, watching processes unfold in real time. We aim for precise control over size and composition, exploiting electrical, optical, and strain fields during fabrication to realize non-equilibrium structures otherwise out of reach. By combining epitaxy, intercalation, tailored defects, and in situ stimuli inside the TEM, we work toward a fundamental set of design rules for atomic and quantum heterostructure fabrication.
Local Electronic and Functional Properties
We connect the atomic structure of an interface to the electronic and photonic behavior it produces, correlating properties such as charge transport, optical response, and quantum coherence in nanoscale devices. Each depends critically on atomic structure, where even a single defect can alter functionality. Using advanced electron spectroscopy and in situ device operation, we directly probe excited states and energy transfer at the scale of individual atoms.
Novel In-Situ Tools and Experimental Probes
We build new experimental probes and instrumentation, redefining the transmission electron microscope from a passive imaging tool into an active platform where materials are synthesized, perturbed, and probed in a single clean environment. Through unique "Atomic Assembly Lines" developed with nano@stanford, Bruker/Nion, Scienta Omicron, and SLAC, we study materials in and out of equilibrium to connect atomic structure directly to function.
Who are we?
Our research is collaborative and interdisciplinary by nature, and our group spans researchers in materials science, physics, chemistry, and applied physics, among others. We hold ourselves and our science to high standards, and our goal is to foster a community of mentorship and belonging that prepares all trainees for impactful and lasting scientific careers.
Where are we located?
Our home is in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Geballe Laboratory of Advanced Materials (GLAM), within Stanford's School of Engineering. We have offices in the McCullough and Durand Buildings, a lab in the Moore Building, and utilize state-of-the-art equipment in the nano@stanford shared facilities and SLAC.
How do I get involved?
We are always looking for motivated new collaborators, team members, and anyone curious about atomic-resolution science, whether you have previous background or are simply eager to learn. We believe the best science is done by people who feel supported, valued, and free to follow their curiosity, and we are committed to building that kind of environment.
