His primary research interests include electromagnetic wave control, super-resolution imaging, sensing and manufacturing. Liu has been a principal driver in developing new concepts, devices and techniques for far-field superlens, optical hyperlens and other imaging devices. His work in these areas was selected as a Top 10 scientific discovery of 2008 by Time magazine and a Top 100 science story of 2007 by Discover magazine. Additionally, Liu has published more than 30 peer-reviewed journals and also holds patents in the fields of nanoimaging and nanolithography.