FigureAsia 35 Under 35 · Science
Baodan Zhao
Age 34 · Perovskite micro-light-emitting diodes · China
Co-corresponding author of 2025 Nature work preserving perovskite LED efficiency at micro- and nanoscale dimensions.
- Approximate age at the edition eligibility date
- 34
- Field
- Optoelectronics
- Country or region
- China
- FigureAsia U35 Assessment
- 89.1 / 100
Profile
Career and documented record
Perovskite light-emitting diodes can be highly efficient at conventional dimensions but deteriorate as pixels shrink. In a 2025 Nature study, Baodan Zhao and collaborators developed a route to micro- and nanoscale devices that retained strong external quantum efficiency instead of collapsing under edge defects and processing damage.
The result addresses a central requirement for dense displays and augmented-reality optics: small, bright pixels that can be fabricated without sacrificing performance. Zhao is a co-corresponding author and one of the scientific leaders of the work.
Commercial displays will require lifetime, colour stability, yield and manufacturing integration. The scientific advance comes first: the study shows that efficiency loss is not an unavoidable price of shrinking perovskite emitters.
FigureAsia selection
Why Baodan Zhao is on the list
Zhao's work clears a well-defined physical bottleneck with a peer-reviewed device result. It links materials chemistry to a demanding systems requirement and does so at dimensions that matter for next-generation display architectures.
Verified work
The 2025–26 record
Perovskite micro-LEDs
Co-led a Nature study scaling efficient perovskite emitters into micro- and nanoscale devices.
Efficiency retained under scaling
Demonstrated that miniaturisation need not impose the conventional efficiency collapse.
Display-relevant platform
Connected nanoscale materials control with dense-display and augmented-reality requirements.
Field context
The work in its field
Microdisplay performance depends on edge physics and fabrication damage that become dominant as pixels shrink. Preserving efficiency at that scale is a prerequisite for perovskite emitters to compete.
FigureAsia U35 Assessment
Assessment breakdown
89.1out of 100
Substantive 2025–2026 contribution
17.3 / 20
Co-led a Nature study scaling efficient perovskite emitters into micro- and nanoscale devices.
Verified scientific impact
13 / 15
The Nature result addresses a recognised scaling barrier in a field with intense academic and industrial interest.
Originality and distinction
9 / 10
The distinction lies in device processing and passivation that preserve efficient perovskite emission at micro- and nanoscale dimensions.
Field influence
8.8 / 10
For Zhao, field influence turns on whether this work changes the operating baseline in perovskite micro-light-emitting diodes; the record supports that judgement.
Individual agency
9 / 10
Zhao is a co-corresponding author and principal investigator; David Di and the wider collaboration retain their credit.
Durability and trajectory
4.6 / 5
A continuing programme at Zhejiang University extends beyond this single result.
Asian significance and global relevance
4.6 / 5
Chinese materials scientist leading an optoelectronics group at Zhejiang University.
Evidential validity and reproducibility
7.3 / 8
Peer-reviewed measurements support device efficiency while lifetime and manufacturing claims remain excluded.
Advance in scientific knowledge
6.3 / 7
The work identifies a viable route around the edge and process penalties of miniaturised perovskite LEDs.
Translational or methodological utility
4.6 / 5
It advances the scientific case for perovskite emitters in high-density displays and integrated photonics.
Responsible research stewardship
4.6 / 5
The assessment separates a laboratory device advance from claims of commercial readiness.