Seungyeon Woo

Seungyeon Woo is a graduate student in materials science and engineering, where she is developing light-controlled methods for the precise assembly of nanoscale materials. Her research tackles a central challenge in nanotechnology: how to construct complex, programmable crystal structures from colloidal particles with fine spatial and temporal control. She focuses on gold nanoparticles functionalized with DNA, which she organizes into ordered lattices by applying photothermal gradients to guide their assembly. As a MathWorks Fellow, she will use MATLAB to model heat distribution, automate control of experimental parameters, and analyze real-time crystallization dynamics. These computational tools will enable pixel-level modulation of light exposure and support microscopic image-based feedback to monitor and refine growth pathways. By integrating experimental and computational approaches, Seungyeon’s work aims to establish scalable strategies for fabricating tunable photonic materials and reconfigurable nanosystems. Her research holds promise for applications in energy harvesting, optical sensing, and microfluidic systems, demonstrating how programmable matter can be harnessed through precision-guided self-assembly.