Assoc. Prof. Nguyễn Phạm Trung Hiếu is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas Tech University (USA), and Director of the Wide and Ultra-Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Laboratory. He is also an alumnus of the Physics programme (specialising in Computational Physics), Class of 2001, Faculty of Physics – Engineering Physics.

On 15 July 2025, the Faculty of Physics – Engineering Physics, VNUHCM-University of Science (HCMUS), hosted a scientific seminar under the Visiting Professor Programme. The event featured Assoc. Prof. Nguyễn Phạm Trung Hiếu – a Vietnamese scientist currently lecturing and conducting research in the United States – and attracted a large number of faculty members, graduate students, and undergraduates.

The seminar, titled “III-Nitride Nanowire Light-Emitting Diodes: Materials, Device Fabrication and Applications”, focused on in-depth research into wide and ultra-wide bandgap semiconductors – particularly III-nitride nanowire structures. This is an emerging field opening numerous new pathways for modern optoelectronic technologies. The speaker presented the latest advances in the fabrication of LEDs, lasers, optical sensors, and solar cells, along with applications in lighting, full-colour displays, and biomedical technologies.

A notable highlight of the presentation was the use of molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) for crystal growth. This advanced technique enables the fabrication of multi-colour-emitting nanowire LEDs, covering nearly the entire visible spectrum. The technology paves the way for the development of phosphor-free white LEDs, offering high efficiency and exceptional colour rendering – with promising applications in smart and energy-efficient lighting.

Assoc. Prof. Hiếu holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from McGill University (Canada), a Master’s degree from Ajou University (South Korea), and is a proud alumnus of the Physics programme, Class of 2001, HCMUS. He has previously taught at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and served as a postdoctoral researcher at McGill.

With more than 130 peer-reviewed international publications, three US patents, two edited books, nine book chapters, and over 5,000 citations (h-index: 33), Assoc. Prof. Hiếu is recognised as one of the most influential Vietnamese-origin scientists in the international academic community. His outstanding contributions to semiconductor materials and nano-device technologies have earned several prestigious accolades, including the NSF CAREER Award (2020), the Hashimoto Award (2023 – NJIT), and multiple SPIE fellowships in Photonics.

During his visit to HCMUS, Assoc. Prof. Hiếu expressed a strong desire to collaborate with faculty members in research and technology transfer. He also committed to contributing to teaching activities related to semiconductor circuits and nano-devices for undergraduate and postgraduate students of the Faculty of Physics – Engineering Physics.

The seminar not only provided access to cutting-edge scientific knowledge but also reflected the university’s ongoing commitment to fostering international collaboration, enhancing academic quality, and staying abreast of technological advancements. Furthermore, this event marked a significant step in strengthening connections between the overseas Vietnamese scientific community and domestic educational institutions, contributing to the sustainable development of science and technology in Viet Nam.