Yang Bai

PhD
Associate Professor
Energy Harvesting, Functional Materials

Microelectronics
Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering

I am Associate Professor and Docent in Energy Harvesting Materials and Self-sufficient Sensor Systems in Microelectronics Research Unit, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu, Finland. I specialize in research and teaching of energy harvesting and sensing technologies, including materials and devices. I obtained Ph.D. degree in 2015 from University of Birmingham, UK. I was awarded the prestigious EU’s Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship in 2016 and the European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant in 2021. I am also Chair of the Energy Materials and Systems Division (EMSD) of the American Ceramic Society, USA. I have published over 50 research papers including those on highly reputed journals such as Advanced Materials, Applied Physics Letters, ChemSusChem, Advanced Optical Materials, Journal of the European Ceramic Society and Journal of the American Ceramic Society. I also have four granted patents. I am currently the principal supervisor of five doctoral students.

Research interests

energy harvesting, piezoelectric, ferroelectric, photoferroelectric, ferroelectric photovoltaic, sensing, functional materials

Researcher information

Researcher profiles

Professional and community activities

Scientific merits

As of August 2024

Selected publications

(For the full list of publications: https://scholar.google.fi/citations?user=70G9UvsAAAAJ&hl=en)

T. Kaushalya, M. Littow, E Virta, T. Ruotsalainen, J. Juuti and Y. Bai*, A system-level study of indoor light energy harvesting integrating commercially available power management circuitry, Energy Harvesting and Systems, 11(1): 20230164 (2024), Publisher: De Gruyter
J. Palosaari, E. Virta, M. Miinala, Y. Bai*, Method to monitor cough by employing piezoelectric energy harvesting configurations, Nordic Conference on Digital Health and Wireless Solutions, Oulu, 7-8 May 2024, Publisher: Springer, pp. 401-412
Y. Bai*, Exploring challenges and potential for a commercially viable piezoelectric energy harvesting system – Can energy-as-data concept thrive? Applied Physics Letters, 124: 110502 (2024), Publisher: AIP [Featured article]
S.S. Anandakrishnan, M. Tabeshfar, M. Nelo, J. Peräntie, H. Jantunen, J. Juuti and Y. Bai*, Recycling hazardous and energy-demanding piezoelectric ceramics using an oxide-halide perovskite upside-down composite method, RSC Sustainability, 2: 961-974 (2024), Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
M. Tabeshfar, M. Nelo, S.S. Anandakrishnan, M. Siddiqui, J. Peräntie, P. Tofel, H. Jantunen, J. Juuti and Y. Bai*, Oxide-halide perovskite composites for simultaneous recycling of lead zirconate titanate piezoelectrics and methylammonium lead iodide solar cells, Small Methods, 8(5): 2300830 (2023), Publisher: Wiley
S.S. Anandakrishnan, S. Yadav, M. Tabeshfar, V. Balanov, T. Kaushalya, M. Nelo, J. Perantie, J. Juuti and Y. Bai*, Toward ecofriendly piezoelectric ceramics – Reduction of energy and environmental footprint from conceptualization to deployment, Global Challenges, 2300061 (2023), Publisher: Wiley
V.A. Balanov, F. Temerov, V. Pankratov, W. Cao and Y. Bai*, Filterless visible-range color sensing and wavelength-selective photodetection based on barium/nickel codoped bandgap-engineered potassium sodium niobate ferroelectric ceramics, Solar RRL, 7 (3): 2200995 (2023), Publisher: Wiley [Front cover page]
Y. Bai and I. Grinberg (ed.), Ferroelectrics: Advances in fundamental studies and emerging applications, IOP Publishing (2022)
Y. Bai*, C. Prucker and N. H. Khansur, Growth of tungsten bronze phase out of niobate perovskite phase for opto-ferroelectric applications, Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 105 (5): 3364-3374 (2021), Publisher: Wiley
Y. Bai*, A. A. Kistanov, W. Cao and J. Juuti, Vacancy-induced niobate perovskite-tungsten bronze composite for synergetic tuning of ferroelectricity and band gaps, The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 125 (16): 8890-8898 (2021), Publisher: ACS Publications
Y. Bai*, Counterfeit band gaps caused by microstructural voids in photo-ferroelectric ceramics, Open Ceramics, 5, 100079 (2021), Publisher: Elsevier
Y. Bai*, Photoresponsive piezoelectrics, Frontiers in Materials, 8: 39 (2021), Publisher: Frontiers
Y. Bai*, J. Varghese and M. T. Sebastian, Editorial: Dielectric Ceramics for Electronic Applications, Frontiers in Materials (2021), DOI: 10.3389/fmats.2021.714522
O. Shafir, Y. Bai, J. Juuti and I. Grinberg*, Visible light absorbing potassium niobate-titanate-molybdate ferroelectrics, Physical Review Applied, 14 (4): 044052 (2020), Publisher: American Physical Society [Editor's pick]
G. Vats*, J. Peräntie, J. Palosaari, J. Juuti, J. Seidel* and Y. Bai*, Current modulation by optoelectric control of ferroelectric domains, ACS Applied Electronic Materials, 2 (9): 2829-2836 (2020), Publisher: ACS Publications [Editor’s pick]
V.A. Balanov, Z. Zhao, M. Pan, A. Feldhoff* and Y. Bai*, Sol-gel synthesis and structural characterization of band gap engineered ferroelectric perovskite oxide potassium sodium barium nickel niobate, Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology, 96 (3): 649-658 (2020), Publisher: Springer
G. Vats*, J. Peräntie, J. Juuti, J. Seidel* and Y. Bai*, Coalition of thermos-opto-electric effects in ferroelectrics for enhanced cyclic multienergy conversion, Energy Technology, 8 (9): 2000500 (2020), Publisher: Wiley
Y. Bai*, J. Palosaari, P. Tofel and J. Juuti, A single-material multi-source energy harvester, multifunctional sensor, and integrated harvester-sensor system – Demonstration of concept, Energy Technology, 8 (9): 2000461 (2020), Publisher: Wiley
B. Ducharne, J. Juuti and Y. Bai*, A simulation model for narrow band gap ferroelectric materials, Advanced Theory and Simulations, 3 (9): 2000052 (2020), Publisher: Wiley
Y. Bai*, H. Xiang, H. Jantunen and J. Juuti, Multi-functional perovskites – an investigation of compositional and processing influence on microstructure, dielectric and ferroelectric properties, European Physical Journal – Special Topics, 228: 1555-1573 (2019), Publisher: Springer
Y. Bai*, H. Jantunen and J. Juuti, Ferroelectric oxides for solar energy conversion, multi-source energy harvesting/sensing, and opto-ferroelectric applications, ChemSusChem, 12: 2540-2549 (2019), Publisher: Wiley
G. Vats*, Y. Bai (equal contribution), D. Zhang, J. Juuti and J. Seidel*, Optical control of ferroelectric domains: Nanoscale insight into macroscopic observations, Advanced Optical Materials, 7: 1800858 (2019), Publisher: Wiley
Y. Bai*, H. Jantunen and J. Juuti, Hybrid, multi-source and integrated energy harvesters, Frontiers in Materials, 5: 65 (2018), Publisher: Frontiers
Y. Bai*, B. Ducharne, H. Jantunen and J. Juuti, Simulation and validation of temperature-dependent ferroelectric properties of multifunctional BCZT and KNBNNO ceramics, Materials Research Express, 5 (11): 116305 (2018), Publisher: IOP Publishing
Y. Bai*, G. Vats, J. Seidel, H. Jantunen and J. Juuti, Boosting photovoltaic output of ferroelectric ceramics by opto-electric control of domains, Advanced Materials, 30: 1803821 (2018), Publisher: Wiley
Y. Bai*, H. Jantunen and J. Juuti, Energy harvesting research: The road from single source to multisource, Advanced Materials, 30: 1707271 (2018), Publisher: Wiley
Y. Bai*, P. Tofel, Z. Hadas, J. Smilek, P. Losak, P. Skarvada and R. Macku, Investigation of a cantilever structured piezoelectric energy harvester used for wearable devices with random vibration input, Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 106: 303-318 (2018), Publisher: Elsevier
Y. Bai*, P. Tofel, J. Palosaari and J. Juuti, A Game Changer: A multifunctional perovskite exhibiting giant ferroelectricity and narrow bandgap with potential application in truly monolithic multienergy harvester or sensor, Advanced Materials, 29: 1700767 (2017), Publisher: Wiley
Y. Bai*, T. Siponkoski, J. Peräntie, H. Jantunen and J. Juuti, Ferroelectric, pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties of a photovoltaic perovskite oxide, Applied Physics Letters, 110 (6): 063903 (2017), Publisher: AIP Publishing [2nd most read paper of the year]
Y. Bai*, A. Matousek, P. Tofel, V. Bijalwan, B. Nan, H. Hughes and T. W. Button, (Ba,Ca)(Zr,Ti)O3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics – the critical role of processing on properties, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 35 (13): 3445-3456 (2015), Publisher: Elsevier
Y. Bai*, Z. Havranek, P. Tofel, C. Meggs, H. Hughes and T. W. Button, Nonlinear piezoelectric devices for broadband air-flow energy harvesting, European Physical Journal – Special Topics, 224 (14-15): 2675-2685 (2015), Publisher: Springer
Y. Bai*, C. Meggs and T. W. Button, Fabrication and investigation of free-standing piezoelectric thick-film cantilevers for energy harvesting applications, Journal of Microelectronics and Electronic Packaging, 12 (4): 181-188 (2015), Publisher: IMAPS – International Microelectronics and Packaging Society
Y. Bai*, C. Meggs and T. W. Button, Investigation of using free-standing thick-film piezoelectric energy harvesters to develop wideband devices, International Journal of Structural Stability and Dynamics, 14 (8): 1440016 (2014), Publisher: World Scientific Publishing
Y. Bai*, H. Hughes, P. Tofel, C. Meggs and T. W. Button, Fabrication and characterisation of vibrational and wind energy harvesters using multi-layer free-standing piezoelectric thick-films, Proceedings of IMAPS/ACerS 11th international CICMT conference and exhibition, 20-23 July 2015, Dresden, Germany.
Y. Bai*, C. Ou, A. Matousek, H. Hughes and T. W. Button, Low-temperature sintering of (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Zr0.1Ti0.9)O3 ceramics and thick-films, 2015 IEEE International Symposium on Applications of Ferroelectrics, 24-27 May 2015, Singapore.
Y. Bai*, C. Meggs, Y. Jiang, C. Ou, H. Hughes and T. W. Button, Piezoelectric free-standing thick-film structures for material characterization and energy harvesting applications, 2015 IEEE International Symposium on Applications of Ferroelectrics, 24-27 May 2015, Singapore.
Y. Bai*, A. Matousek, Hojat Pooladvand, P. Tofel, B. Nan, V. Bijalwan, M. Kral, H. Hughes and T. W. Button, Phase transitions and dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of Bi0.5(Na0.82K0.18)0.5TiO3 doped (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Zr0.1Ti0.9)O3 ceramics, 2015 IEEE International Symposium on Applications of Ferroelectrics, 24-27 May 2015, Singapore.
Y. Bai*, C. Meggs and T. W. Button, Fabrication and investigation of free-standing piezoelectric thick-film cantilevers for energy harvesting applications, Proceedings of 10th IWPMA & 8th EHW, 14-17 July 2013, Hannover, Germany.

Patents and patent applications

2022, Granted Patents: Y. Bai, Electro-ceramic material component, its manufacturing method and method of converting energy, No.: GB2108204.5/EP4069658A1/US20220267219A1
2022, Granted Patent: J. Juuti, H. Jantunen, M. Nelo and Y. Bai, Keraamikomposiittimateriaalin impregnointi, Granted patent No. FI129896B
2016, Two invention disclosures: (1) Y. Bai and T. W. Button, A piezoelectric thick-film tailored for energy harvesting applications and its low-cost manufacturing approach; (2) Z. Hadas, J. Smilek and Y. Bai, Jumping mass piezoelectric energy harvester design
2014, Granted patent: W. Ma, Y. Bai, Q. Sun, Q. Ge and Z. Liu, Method for preparing PZT-based piezoelectric thick film material for silver electrode through low-temperature cofiring, CN 102863220 B

Other merits

2023&2024, Lead organizer of symposium Energy Materials for Sustainable Development at MS&T23 and MS&T24, USA
2021-2023, Elected officer (Program Committee Chair/Secretary/Vice-chair), Energy Materials and Systems Division, American Ceramic Society, USA
2021-2022, Book editor, Ferroelectrics: Advances in Fundamental Studies and Emerging Applications (published), Publisher: IOP Publishing, UK
2021, Reviewer of ERC Consolidator Grant, European Research Council
2020, PhD student recruitment committee, Kvantum Institute, University of Oulu, Finland
2020, Evaluation panel member of Czech Academy of Science, Czech Republic
2019, Evaluation panel member of Global Undergraduate Awards, Ireland
2019, Pre-jury member, Skolar Award, Finland
2019 to date, Chair of 2 Follow-up Groups (PhD advising board), University of Oulu, Finland
2018-2021, Elected committee member of the IOP (Institute of Physics) Energy Group, UK
2017-2021, Guest editors in three journals: Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, Frontiers in Materials, and Micromachines
2015, Member of the CEITEC PhD School Advisory Board, Czech Republic
Referee for >45 academic journals including prestigious Advanced Materials, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Chemical Society Reviews and PNAS
Keynote and invited speakers on 12 international conferences
2019-2022, Program chair, 3rd-5th Annual Energy Harvesting Society Meeting, USA
2016-2021, Main organizer, committee member and session chair, 3rd-5th Workshops in Devices, Materials and Structures for Energy Harvesting and Storage, and International Conference on Advances in Energy Harvesting Technology, Czech Republic, Finland and Ireland

Scientific societal impact

2020, Contributor of the Materials Energy Transition Roadmap, IfM (Institute for Manufacturing), University of Cambridge, UK
2019, Popularised scientific presentation at the 60th Anniversary Gala of University of Oulu
2017 & 2019, Presentation and exhibition at European Researchers' Night
Research press releases published by various media translated to several languages and read by tens of millions of people around the world

Thesis supervisions

Contact information

E-mail

Yang.Bai@oulu.fi

Phone number

+358503139508

Social media

X
LinkedIn

Visiting address

Pentti Kaiteran katu 1, 90014 Oulu, Finland

Postal address

Microelectronics Research Unit, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Oulu, FI-90014, Oulu, Finland

Keywords

Physical sciences Technology microelectronics

Yang Bai

Research interests

Researcher information

Researcher profiles

Professional and community activities

Scientific merits

Thesis supervisions

Contact information

E-mail

Phone number

Social media

Visiting address

Postal address

Keywords

Projects

Unification of the best piezoelectric and photovoltaic properties in a single photoferroelectric material

Low-energy high-performance sensing materials for environment digitalization

NextGEnergy

Related to the researcher

Breakthrough in multifunctional solar cells

Energy as data: Revolutionizing energy efficiency of IoT devices

Yang Bai received significant ERC funding

Multi-functional, self-sustainable sensing components for smart skin

Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Materials and Devices

The Riitta and Jorma J. Takanen Foundation grants EUR 100,000 to research to business projects

What else can we do towards an energy sustainable world, beside keep building solar cells and wind turbines?

Postal address

Street address