Prof. Tang's research interests lie in the general areas of Chemical and Condensed Matter Physics, and in particular in organic electronics. Tang has been recognized for the invention of the high-efficiency Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED). Based on this key invention, a superior flat-panel display technology has been developed for electronics display applications from cellular phones to large-area high-definition television screens. He has also been recognized for the discovery of the organic hetero-junction diode. This discovery has been recognized as a milestone contribution to the field of organic electronics and opto-electronics. The hetero-junction device structure has been found to be the key to obtaining high performance in organic-based, thin film devices including OLED and solar cells.

His recent research projects include applications of organic electronic devices , organic light emitting diodes, solar cells, photoconductors, image sensors, photoreceptors. Basic studies of organic thin-film devices: charge injection, transport, recombination and luminescence properties. Metal-organic and organic-organic junction phenomena. Development of flat-panel display technology based on organic light emitting diodes.