He coined the term
quantum dots, for demonstrating the first zero-dimensional electronic device that had fully quantized energy states. Reed did research in electronic transport in nanoscale and
mesoscopic systems, artificially structured materials and devices, molecular electronics, biosensors and bioelectronic systems, and nanofluidics. He was the author of more than 200 publications, had given over 75 plenary and over 400 invited talks, and held 33 U.S. and foreign patents on quantum effect, heterojunction, and molecular devices. He was the editor in chief of the journal
Nanotechnology (2009–2019) and of the journal
Nano Futures, and held numerous other editorial and advisory board positions. Reed received his Ph.D. from
Syracuse University in 1983. He worked at
Texas Instruments from 1983 to 1990, where he demonstrated the first quantum dot device. He had been at
Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science since 1990, where he held the Harold Hodgkinson Chair of Engineering and Applied Science. Notable work there included the first conductance measurement of a single molecule, the first single molecule transistor, and the development of CMOS nanowire biosensors. ==Awards and recognition==