Dr. Ching Wan Tang stands as a world-renowned physical chemist whose pioneering contributions have fundamentally reshaped modern display technologies. Born and raised in Hong Kong, he completed his primary and secondary education locally before earning a BSc in Chemistry from the University of British Columbia. He subsequently pursued and obtained his PhD in Physical Chemistry from Cornell University in 1975, launching a distinguished research career. For over three decades, Dr. Tang served at Eastman Kodak where he rose to become Distinguished Fellow of the Kodak Research Laboratories in 2003, establishing his reputation as a leader in materials innovation. In 2013, he joined the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology as the prestigious IAS Bank of East Asia Professor at the Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study, building upon his previous appointment as the Doris Johns Cherry Professor at the University of Rochester since 2006.
Dr. Tang's most transformative contribution was the invention of high-efficiency Organic Light Emitting Diodes, work that earned him recognition as the Father of OLED technology. Between 1986 and 1989, while at Kodak Research Laboratories, he pioneered the donor-acceptor bilayer structure, also known as the organic heterojunction, which revolutionized charge manipulation in organic semiconductors. This breakthrough enabled efficient light emission at low drive voltages, forming the foundation for practical OLED devices that would transform display technology worldwide. His work directly catalyzed the development of a multibillion-dollar industry, with OLED technology now ubiquitous in smartphones, computers, and televisions across the globe. Dr. Tang's further innovations, including the development of doped organic layers to enhance emission efficiency, established the material design guidelines that continue to guide OLED research and commercial applications today.
The profound impact of Dr. Tang's discoveries has been recognized through numerous prestigious accolades including the Wolf Prize in Chemistry awarded in 2011 and the Kyoto Prize in Advanced Technology received in 2019. He has been elected to the US National Academy of Engineering and serves as a Founding Member of The Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, demonstrating his significant influence across multiple scientific communities. Dr. Tang's research continues to inspire generations of scientists and engineers working in the rapidly evolving field of organic optoelectronics. Despite his many accomplishments, he remains actively engaged in research at HKUST, demonstrating an enduring passion for scientific discovery that continues to drive innovation in organic electronic materials and devices. His legacy as a pioneer whose work bridges fundamental chemistry with practical applications ensures his lasting influence on both academic research and consumer technology worldwide.
