Dr. Dai's group's research interfaces with chemistry, physics, materials science and biological and medical sciences. Thus far, their group has made advances to the basic science of carbon nanotube and graphene and potential applications in the areas of nanoelectronics, nanobiotechnolgy, nanomedicine, energy storage and catalysis.

Their past research has focused on the science and technology of novel carbon based materials. Their recent research has branched into new materials including hybrid materials of various nanocrystals and nanoparticles with nano-carbon materials.