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🌍 Qatar University–Led Study, with UGA Collaboration, Demonstrates Rapid, Culture-Free Sepsis Detection Using SERS and AI
SuperRamanNet Achieves Near Clinical-Grade Accuracy in Real-World Validation Researchers at Qatar University (QU), in close collaboration with the University of Georgia (UGA) and international clinical partners, have reported a major advance in rapid sepsis diagnostics. Published in Talanta, the study presents a culture-free, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and artificial intelligence–based platform capable of recognizing sepsis and identifying causative pathogens
Yiping Zhao
2 days ago3 min read


New Publication | Ultra-Fast Meets Ultra-Sensitive: Fullerene-Engineered Hydrogen Sensors Set a New Standard
We are excited to share our latest publication in Nature Communications , reporting a new class of ultra-fast, ultra-sensitive hydrogen sensors that operate at room temperature and achieve sub-second response times with parts-per-billion (ppb) detection limits. Hydrogen sensing is critical for clean energy, industrial safety, and environmental monitoring, yet achieving both rapid response and ultra-low detection limits in a single device remains a major challenge. In thi
Yiping Zhao
Dec 26, 20252 min read


🎉 New Publication Accepted!
Smartphone-Based Undergraduate Physics Labs: A Comprehensive Review of Innovation, Accessibility, and Pedagogical Impact Yiping Zhao, European Journal of Physics (2025) 📄 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6404/ae2a80 I am delighted to announce that my latest paper, “ Smartphone-based undergraduate physics labs: a comprehensive review of innovation, accessibility, and pedagogical impact ,” has been accepted for publication in the European Journal of Physics and is now avai
Yiping Zhao
Dec 10, 20251 min read


UGA Physics Department Head Position
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Georgia (UGA) invites applications for the position of Head of the Department, expected to start August 1, 2026. We seek a visionary leader and accomplished scientist with internationally recognized expertise in physics or astronomy. This individual should be eager to shape the future of our department and advance its research, teaching, and service missions. Pending University System of Georgia Board of Regents’ ap
Yiping Zhao
Dec 5, 20253 min read


🎉 Congratulations to Ken Stiwinter for Winning the IOCN 2025 Best Poster Award! 🎉
We are proud to announce that Kenneth Christopher Stiwinter, a graduate student in the Zhao Nano Lab, Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Georgia, has been awarded the Best Poster Award at the 5th International Online Conference on Nanomaterials (IOCN 2025), organized by MDPI. Ken’s award-winning poster, “The Optical and Near-Field Properties of Plasmonic Janus Nanoparticles: An FDTD Study,” presents a detailed computational investigation of Au–SiO₂ Janus nanopa
Yiping Zhao
Nov 7, 20251 min read


Now Released: SpectraGuru™ v1.2 — The Open Ecosystem for Raman & SERS Spectroscopy
SpectraGuru™ is a free, open-source ecosystem for Raman and SERS data analysis and visualization — built to make spectroscopy faster, reproducible, and community-driven. 🚀 Version 1.2 brings major advances toward a fully connected spectroscopy ecosystem: 🔹 1. Unified, Community-Driven Database PostgreSQL-based centralized backend Standardized schema for raw and processed spectra Over 3,000 spectra spanning chemicals, viruses, biomarkers, and more — all annotated with det
Yiping Zhao
Nov 4, 20251 min read


Professor Yiping Zhao Uses AI to Generate Cartoons for Graduate Training
The University of Georgia is embracing the creative intersection of artificial intelligence and education. In a recent article by The Red...
Yiping Zhao
Sep 29, 20251 min read


Standardizing SERS Instruments with AI: UGA–Qatar University Collaboration Advances Pathogen Detection
Reliable and rapid pathogen detection remains a major challenge in global health. A recent collaboration between Qatar University (QU)...
Yiping Zhao
Sep 23, 20252 min read


🎉 Congratulations to Amit Kumar! 🎉
We are delighted to share that Amit has successfully passed his oral examination and advanced to Ph.D. candidacy in the Department of...
Yiping Zhao
Aug 27, 20251 min read


New Publication: Quantitative Insights into Virus Adsorption and Co-adsorption using SERS
We’re excited to share our latest article in The Journal of Physical Chemistry A , published in the Michael A. Duncan Festschrift special...
Yiping Zhao
Aug 25, 20252 min read


Prof. Yiping Zhao Presents Research at ACS Fall 2025 Meeting in Washington, DC
I was pleased to attend the American Chemical Society (ACS) Fall 2025 National Meeting in Washington, DC (August 17–21, 2025), where I...
Yiping Zhao
Aug 20, 20252 min read


New Publication: Beyond Traditional airPLS – Smarter Baseline Removal for SERS
We’re excited to share our latest article in Analytical Chemistry , titled:👉 “Beyond Traditional airPLS: Improved Baseline Removal in...
Yiping Zhao
Aug 12, 20252 min read


New Publication: Glancing Angle Deposition in Gas Sensing (Nanomaterials 2025, 15(14), Article 1136)
We’re excited to share our latest review article published in Nanomaterials , titled:👉 “Glancing Angle Deposition in Gas Sensing:...
Yiping Zhao
Aug 6, 20252 min read


"Thoughts on PhD Training" – A Cartoon Guidebook for the PhD Journey
I'm excited to share a new project that’s close to my heart—a cartoon collection titled Thoughts on PhD Training , now available online...
Yiping Zhao
Jun 1, 20251 min read


New Publication: Raman Spectroscopy, DFT, and Machine Learning—A Combined Approach for Differentiating PFAS Compounds
We’re excited to share our latest work published in Journal of Hazardous Materials , titled:👉 “Experimental Raman Spectra Analysis of...
Yiping Zhao
May 28, 20252 min read


New Publication: Extracting True Virus Spectra from SERS Data Using Deep Learning—A Novel Strategy for SERS Spectral Processing
We’re thrilled to announce the publication of our latest research in ACS Sensors , titled: "Extracting True Virus SERS Spectra and...
Yiping Zhao
May 18, 20253 min read


Congratulations to Amit Kumar on Receiving the 2025 Sean M. Kirkpatrick Award
I am delighted to share that my student, Amit Kumar , has been awarded the 2025 Sean M. Kirkpatrick Award for Outstanding Achievement in...
Yiping Zhao
Apr 26, 20251 min read


AI-Powered SERS Enables Rapid and Accurate Detection of Virus Co-Infections
A new study from the University of Georgia presents a groundbreaking diagnostic tool combining Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)...
Yiping Zhao
Jan 29, 20252 min read


Our Research Featured as a Cover Paper in Analyst!
We’re thrilled to share that our recent paper, "Functional Regression for SERS Spectrum Transformation Across Diverse Instruments," has...
Yiping Zhao
Jan 29, 20251 min read


Exciting News: Our Work on SERS Instrument Comparability Accepted by Analyst!
We are delighted to share that our paper, "Functional Regression for SERS Spectrum Transformation Across Diverse Instruments," has been...
Yiping Zhao
Dec 6, 20241 min read
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