Mao's other nanotechnology research has focused on seed-mediated crystallization for nanosensor scale up. Her early research examined the potential of designing nucleation seeds to induce shape change in molecular crystals. In her investigation of the impact of seed size and surface chemistry, her study illustrated the capability of nanoparticles to effectively change the ordering pattern of molecular crystals nucleated on the nanoparticle. Moreover, she examined the use of electrochemistry to deposit both the nanoparticle seeds and the molecular crystals on the seed to form a hybrid nanostructure. In 2020, her research group introduced a method for manufacturing nanowire sensors by electrochemically depositing charge-transfer salt nanowire crystals on sensor substrates, demonstrating their gas sensing capabilities for detecting ammonia concentrations in the range of 1–100 ppm through electrical impedance measurements. In 2023, Mao demonstrated the potential of electrochemistry for precise deposition and scale up of nanosensors. She applied atomic force microscopy and surface forces measurement techniques for the study of colloidal and biomolecular interfaces including liposomes, DNA nanoparticles, and viral particles.