This document provides a summary of Dr. Van-Son Dang's education and experience. He received a PhD in Material Science from the University of Birmingham in 2011, with a thesis on nano-technology of pinning centres in high temperature superconducting YBa2Cu3O7 films. He has over 7 years of experience conducting research on functional materials as an early stage researcher at the University of Birmingham, where he optimized fabrication and characterization techniques. He is skilled in deposition, microscopy, and measurement techniques and has published over 25 papers in peer-reviewed journals.

1. Dr. Van-Son Dang
Early stage researcher (PhD), Honorary Research Fellow, Phone: 44-1214145170
Metallurgy and Materials, University of Birmingham Mobile: 44-7512519995
B15 2TT, UK e-mail: vxd709@bham.ac.uk
Home address: Flat 203, 3 College Walk, Selly Oak Home phone: 44-1214155728
Birmingham, UK, B29 6LF e-mail: dangvson@gmail.com
Overview
I am a resourceful and reliable material science PhD graduate, skilled in many scientific
characterization techniques with good problem solving, analytical and communication skills. I have
experience of individual and team oriented projects and work with attention.
Education and Scientific Experience
Early stage researcher (Marie Curie fellowship) University of Birmingham, 2007 to April 2011
•Conducted research on power application of superconducting coated conductors in high magnetic
fields with high critical current density and strong artificial pinning centers.
•Optimized and fabricated YBCO Quasi-multilayer films, BZO doped YBCO on STO, MgO and
YBCO coated conductor on NiW substrates with and without 3D nano-dots of various materials
such as Ag, Au nano-dots and developed architecture by Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD).
• Responsible for microanalysis and sample preparation of functional materials group using a SEM
(Jeol 7000F with Oxford Inca EDS, Wave WDS and Crystal EBSD), TEM (Tecnai F20 with
STEM, Jeol 2100 LaB6 filament) AFM (Contact and Tapping mode).
• Performed and studied AC susceptibility and magnetic moment measurements in DC fields of the
films using a Quantum design Magnetic Property Measurement System (MPMS-XL)
•Experienced in AC field dependencies of the out of phase susceptibility measurements on Quantum
design Physical Properties Measurement System (PPMS).
• Patterned micro-bridges by Photolithography and chemical etching for angle dependent transport
measurements, Karlsus MJB — 3.
•Wrote scientific reports, resulting in several published peer-reviewed studies and conference
presentations.
PhD in Material Science, University of Birmingham November 2007 to June 2011
Thesis Title: “Nano-technology of pinning centres in high temperature superconducting YBa2Cu3O7 films”
Supervised by Prof. Stuart Abell and Dr. Adrian Crisan
• PhD project was a part of a big project called “Flux pinning centres in HTS” supported by Marie Curie
Excellent grant. I joined the Marie Curie group as a PhD student and a research staff at the University of
Birmingham.
Master’s degree in Physics, Department of Physics, Chungbuk National University, South Korea
2005 to 2007
Graduation thesis: “Structure and Magnetic properties of high Curie Temperature Magnetic-
Semiconductor AlN doped with Mn and Cr thin film prepared by DC- sputtering”
•Conducted research on magnetic-semiconductors such as Mn-doped ZnO, Mn or Cr doped AlN thin
films

2. • Fabricated Mn-doped ZnO target by solid state reaction, Mn-doped ZnO thin films by PLD
• Fabricated Mn or Cr doped AlN films by reactive DC sputtering
• Performed magnetic and electrical measurements
• Took course on: Magnetic materials, Solid state physics, Quantum mechanics
Bachelor’s degree in Material science, Hanoi National University, Hanoi, Vietnam, 1999 to 2003
Graduation thesis: “Preparing and Studying Optical and Electrical Properties of ZnO Thin Films by RF
Sputtering System”
• Main course on Material science, Physics, Mathematics, English, the graduation thesis and experiment
was done on last year of the undergraduate.
Research Interest
• Challenges associated with growth and designs of advanced functional materials based on their
functional values and explore the predictions of enhanced properties.
• Electrical, Magnetic and Structural properties of Complex Oxide materials.
• Nanofabrication and Nanoprototyping.
• Semiconductor devices research.
Skill: Technical
Deposition Techniques Characterization Techniques
• Pulsed laser ablation • Scanning electron microscopy (Jeol 7000 with EBSD)
• RF/DC Magnetron Sputtering • Transmission Electron Microscope (Tecnai F20, Jeol JEM
2100)
• Chemical spray • Karlsus MJB — 3 mask aligner, Photolithography
• Quantum Design MPMS-XL, PPMS.
• X- Ray Diffractometer (Scintag 3100/Philips)
• Atomic force microscopy (contact and tapping mode)
Awards and Honors
• Marie Curie Excellence salary for PhD from 2007 to 2011 (40,000 EURO pa)
• Fully funded (including air ticket, accommodation and meal) for European Advanced Cryogenics Course
and CRYOCONFERENCE 2008 for Young researchers, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, September
2008, Spain (About 2000 EUR)
• Fully funded by organisers for International Spring School on Magnetism and Superconductivity, Antalya,
Turkey, April 2010 (About 1000 EUR)
• BK21 (Brain Korea 21) scholarship from 2005 – 2007 (6000 USD pa)
Other duties
• Supervised Research project of undergraduate students ensuring safety protocols were followed.
• Training and advising undergraduate students in experiments and writings.
• Laboratory maintenance and preparing purchase orders.
• Set up a multi-target laser ablation chamber.
• Operation and maintenance of Vacuum systems.

3. Skills: Computer Related
Platforms: Windows
Programming: Mathematica
Packages: Office, Adobe Photoshop, and Origin.
References
1. Prof. J.S.Abell (PhD supervisor) 2. Dr. Adrian Crisan (Team leader)
Email: j.s.abell@bham.ac.uk Email: i.a.crisan@bham.ac.uk
Tel: +44 121 4145168 Tel: +44 121 4145193
The School of Metallurgy and Materials,The University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
3. Dr. A. Sarkar (Former colleague)
Email: sarkar.ashis@gmail.com
Assistant Research Engineer, Electrical Engg. & Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley
CA 94720
Tel: 510-859-5385
Please see next page for list of publications

4. Scientific Publications
1. P. Mikheenko, V.-S. Dang, A. Sarkar, J. S. Abell and A. Crisan “Intergrated pinning centres in
YBa2Cu3Ox thick films on single-crystalline and textured metal substrates” Submitted
2. P. Mikheenko, V.-S. Dang, M. M. Awang Kechik, A. Sarkar, P. Paturi, H. Huhtinen, J. S. Abell and A.
Crisan “Synergetic pinning centers in YBa2Cu3Ox films through a combination of Ag nano-dot substrate
decoration, Ag/YBCO quasi-multilayers, and the use of BaZrO3-doped target” IEEE transaction on Appl.
Super. Accepted
3. P Mikheenko, V-S Dang, Y Y Tse, M M Awang Kechik, P Paturi, H Huhtinen, Y Wang, A Sarkar, J S
Abell and A Crisan “Integrated nanotechnology of pinning centres in YBa2Cu3Ox films” Supercond. Sci.
Technol. 23(2010) 125007
4. A. Sarkar, P. Mikheenko, V.S. Dang, M.M. Awang Kechik, J. S. Abell, A. Crisan “Improved Critical
Current Densities in YBa2Cu3O7-δ Multilayer Films Interspaced with Palladium Nanodots” J Supercond
Nov Magn, Accepted
5. P. Mikheenko, V.S. Dang, M.M. Awang Kechik , Y. Wang, A. Sarkar, J.L. Tanner, J. S. Abell, A. Crisan
“Nano Techniques for Enhancing Critical Current in Superconducting YBCO Films” J Supercond Nov
Magn, Accepted
6. V. S. Dang, A. Sarkar, P. Mikheenko, M. M. Awang Kechik, J. S. Abell, P. Paturi, H. Huhtinen, A. Crisan
“Combination of Ag Substrate Decoration with Introduction of BaZrO3 Nano-Inclusions for Enhancing
Critical Current Density of YBa2Cu3O7 Films” J Supercond Nov Magn, Accepted
7. A. Sarkar, V.S. Dang; P. Mikheenko; M.M Awang Kechik; J.S. Abell; A. Crisan “Improved critical
current densities in thick YBa2Cu3O7-x multilayer films interspaced with non-superconducting YBa2Cu3Ox
nanodots” Thin Solid films, 519(2010)876
8. P. Mikheenko, J.L. Tanner, J. Bowen, A. Sarkar, V.-S. Dang, J.S. Abell, A. Crisan “Nanodots induced
columnar growth of YBa2Cu3Ox films” Physica C, Accepted
9. Adrian Crisan, Pavlo Mikheenko, Asis Sarkar, Van Son Dang, Mohammed M. Awang Kechik, John S.
Abell, Petriina Paturi, Hannu Huhtinen “Artificial pinning in thick YBCO films: Pinning potential and c-
axis correlation” Physica C, 470 (2010) 840
10. V. S. Dang, P. Mikheenko, A. Sarkar, M. M. Awang Kechik, J S Abell1 and A Crisan “Increased critical
current density and pinning in thick Ag/YBa2Cu3O7-x multilayers” Physica C, 470 (2010) 1238
11. P Mikheenko, J S Abell, A Sarkar, V S Dang, M M Awang Kechik, J L Tanner, P Paturi, H Huhtinen, N
Hari Babu, D A Cardwell and A Crisan “Self-assembled artificial pinning centres in thick YBCO
superconducting films“ J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 234 (2010) 022022
12. V. S. Dang, P. Mikheenko, A. Sarkar, M. M. Awang Kechik, J S Abell1 and A Crisan “critical current
density and pinning in Ag/YBa2Cu3Ox and PrBa2Cu3Oy/YBa2Cu3Ox multilayers” J. Phys.: Conf. Ser.
234 (2010) 012010
13. A. Sarkar, P. Mikheenko, V.S. Dang, J.S. Abell, A. Crisan “Enhancing critical current in YBCO thick
films: Substrate decoration and quasi-superlattice approach” Physica C 469 (2009) 1550–1553

5. 14. P. Mikheenko, A. Sarkar, V.-S. Dang, J.L. Tanner, J.S. Abell, A. Crisan “c-Axis correlated extended
defects and critical current in YBa2Cu3Ox films grown on Au and Ag-nano dot decorated substrates”
Physica C. 469 (2009) 798–804
15. P. Mikheenko, A. Sarkar, V.S. Dang, J.L. Tanner, M.M. Awang Kechik, J.S. Abell, A. Crisan “Pinning
centres induced in YBCO films by nano-dots in substrate decoration and quasi-superlattice approaches”
IEEE transaction on Appl. Super. 19 (2009) 3491
16. A. Crisan, V.S. Dang, P. Mikheenko, A. Sarkar, J.S. Abell “Pinning potential in thick
PrBa2Cu3Ox/YBa2Cu3O7-δ quasi-multilayers” Physica C 470 (2010) 55-60
17. A Crisan , M M Awang Kechick, P Mikheenko, V S Dang, A. Sarkar, J S Abell, P Paturi, and H Huhtinen
“Critical current density and pinning potential in YBa2Cu3O7−δ thick films ablated from a BaZrO3-
doped nanocrystalline target” Supercond. Sci. Technol. 22 (2009) 045014 (5pp)
18. M M Awang Kechick, P Mikheenko, A Sarkar, V S Dang, N Hari Babu, D A Cardwell, J S Abell and A
Crisan “ Artificial pinning centres in YBa2Cu3O7-d thin films by Gd2Ba4CuWOy nanophase inclusions”
Supercond. Sci. Technol. 22 (2009) 034020 (5pp)
19. A. Crisan · A. Sarkar · P. Mikheenko · V.S. Dang ·M.M. Awang Kechik · J.S. Abell “Improvement of
Pinning Force and Critical Current Density in Thick YBa2Cu3O7−δ Films Grown on SrTiO3 Substrates
Decorated with LaNiO3 Nanodots” J Supercond Nov Magn 22 (2009) 631-636
Master’s works
20. V. S. Dang, S. C. Yu, T.L.Phan “Magnetic, Optical properties of Zn1-xMnxO thin films by CVD method”
Journal of Korean Physics Society -JKPS, 52, (2008) 1566-1569
21. V. S. Dang, Y. Y. Song, Q. H. Nguyen, D. Q. Hoang, S. C. Yu. “Ferromagnetism to paramagnetism of
ZnMnO system doped with Zn3P2” Journal of Korean Physics Society – JKPS, 52, (2008) 1398- 1401
22. N.Q.Hoa, D.V. Son, H.D. Quang, H.B. Lee, J. S. Chung, S.C. Yu “Crystallization, magnetic and
magnetoimpedance properties of Fe84.5Zr2Nb4B8.5Cu Nanoperm ribbon” Journal of Korean Physics
Society – JKPS 52 (2008) 1390-1393
23. N. Q. Hoa, D. T. H. Gam, N. D. The, N. Chau, D. V. Son, and S. C. Yu “Influence of Nb substituted for
Fe on the microstructure and magnetic properties of Fe-based nanocomposite alloy” Phys. Stat, sol (a)
204, 4113-4116 (2007)
24. N. V. Dai, D. V. Son, S. C. Yu, L. V. Bau, L. V. Hong, N. X. Phuc, D. N. H. Nam “Room-temperature
magnetic entropy change in La0.7Sr0.3Mn1-xMxO3 (M = Al, Ti)” Phys. Stat. Sol. (b) 244, 4570-4573 (2007)
25. Y.Y.Song, K.S.Park, D.V.Son, S.C.Yu, H.J.Kang “Ferromagnetic behavior above room temperature of
Fe ion-implanted ZnO single crystals” Journal of Korean Physics Society – JKPS Vol 50, No.6 June
2007, 1706-1710
26. H.D. Quang, C. X. Huu, S. K. Oh, V. S. Dang, S.C. Yu “Magneto-transport properties of magnetic
tunneling transistors at low and room temperatures” Nanotechnology 17 (2006) 3359-3365

6. Conference presentations and Schools attended
1. The Marie Curie Conference and Workshop, ESOF2010, July 2-7, Torino, Italy.
The conference included a series of workshops on how creative academics can exploit their
research potential in the private sector, how researchers can become entrepreneurs and how they
can better communicate their research.
2. International Conference on Superconductivity and Magnetism 25-30 April 2010, Antalya, Turkey.
Poster presented
3. The 9th European Conference on Applied Superconductivity (EUCAS) (Dresden, Germany, 13–17
September 2009). Poster presented
4. International Symposium on Superconductivity 2009, Epochal Tsukuba, Japan. Poster presented
5. European Summer School on Superconductors 2008, June 2008, Pori, Finland (Half funded by
organiser and half by Marie Curie fund)
6. European Advanced Cryogenics Course and CRYOCONFERENCE 2008 for Young researchers,
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, September 2008, Spain (fully funded)
7. Learning and Teaching in higher education, by Academic Practice and Organisational Development
(APOD), the University of Birmingham, 2008
8. Condensed Matter and Materials Physics 2008 Organised by IOP, UK at Royal Holloway,
University of London, March 2008. .
Statement of Research Activity
My Research activity is strongly experimental and can be divided into three main themes.
• Challenges associated with growth and designs of advanced functional materials based on
their functional values and explore the predictions of enhanced properties.
• Electrical, Magnetic and Structural properties of Complex Oxide materials.
• Nanofabrication and Nanoprototyping, Microanalysis and 3D characterization of materials using
TEM.
I obtained the Marie Curie fellowship in September 2007 at the University of
Birmingham, UK and working as a r e s e a r c h s t a f f and a PhD student. I am Conducting
research on power application of superconducting coated conductors in high magnetic fields
with high critical current density and strong artificial pinning centers. I am very experienced and
performed research on growth of oxide perovskite thin and thick films on various substrates
(SrTiO3, MgO, LaAlO3, Pt coated Si, NiW) with developed architecture (superlattices,
heterostructures, multilayers) by pulsed laser deposition. I have worked on superconducting,
S e m i c o n d u c t i n g and magnetic material systems and explored their physical and structural
properties. I developed an approach and was able to fabricate a 5 µ m thick quasi- multilayer

7. YBCO film interspaced with non superconducting Ag or PBCO nanodots a s w e l l a s B Z r O 3
( B Z O ) - d o p e d Y B C O f i l m s and achieved high critical current in self field and applied fields
at 77.3 K [2, 6, 10 in publications list].
My Master’s work was on fabrication of diluted magnetic semiconductors such as Mn, Fe, P
doped ZnO thin films by laser pulse deposition (PLD) or wide band gap magnetic semiconductor Mn or
Cr-doped AlN by reactive DC sputtering. I have prepared MnO2 + Zn2P3 doped ZnO target for PLD by
solid state reaction method and characterized magnetic and electric measurement of samples. I have
successfully fabricated the diluted magnetic semiconductor of Mn-doped ZnO and Mn or Cr-doped
AlN with a high magnetic moment and good semiconducting properties.
During my undergraduate course, (2003), I did a mini project on fabricating of ZnO thin films
by RF sputtering method. I prepared ZnO target from ZnO powder by solid state reaction by my self
and performed optical and electrical measurements on ZnO thin films such as transparent,
Photoluminescence spectra, Hall measurements.
I am skilled in many scientific characterization techniques with good problem solving,
analytical and communication skills. I have experience of individual and team oriented projects and
work with attention. These many experiences make me very flexible and adaptable to any project
related to complex oxide materials or semiconductor materials.
I am a strong proponent of collaborative research and tend to work with other researchers
with slightly different skills and background with objective of tackling formidable and interesting
problems. In terms of my future research plans, I intend to focus on research in advanced functional
materials and accelerate my research activities with publication of top tiered research papers,
collaborate with colleagues on empirical research and become involved with graduate students in
training assignments and research projects.