(4bc) Scalable Nanomanufacturing of Multifunctional Materials for Sustainable Environment

With growing need of environmental sustainability, I am passionate about addressing the challenges induced by industrialization and climate change by utilizing nanoengineered materials in renewable energy production, and environmental remediation and monitoring. I have continuously expanded my knowledge on applications of electrospun nanofibers from piezoelectric energy harvesting to pollutant removal and metal recovery, and I will extend my capabilities in studying other nanomaterials for use in chemical and electrochemical sensing. Specifically, I have successfully demonstrated high-capacity, fast removal of emerging pollutants such as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), phosphates and nitrates, and heavy metals, as well as recovery of lithium from seawater based on composite nanofibers with precisely controlled morphology and composition. With my expertise in electrospun nanofibers, I enhanced the piezoelectric properties of polymers such as PVDF, PAN, and biodegradable PLLA. For example, I achieved up to 16-fold enhancement of piezoelectric charge constant of polyacrylonitrile nanofibers by optimizing electrospinning and post-thermal treatment conditions, demonstrating piezoelectric properties comparable to that of some inorganics while highlighting flexibility.

Beyond the lab-scale work, I am highly interested in additive manufacturing of multifunctional nanomaterials, which I believe are essential in achieving system-level integration of research work. For example, I realized a concept of nanofiber-based water filter electrospun at industrial scale with real-time monitoring by optical sensor paired with wireless communication to indicate the progression and end of its lifetime. In addition, I took the lead in drafting the proposal for and successfully securing funds granted by the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program, which facilitates the transformative science and engineering via entrepreneurship. With participation in this program as a steppingstone, I would like to conduct research work that span over the broad spectrum of research from fundamental science to engineering and application, and beyond to the market.

Based on my extensive knowledge and expertise on nanomaterials, I envision dedicating my research career to smart water filter systems, which provide an innovative approach in simultaneous treatment of multiple pollutants via target-specific modular filter system, integrated with monitoring of filter capacity using embedded sensor system for real-time detection of filter lifetime.

Teaching Interests

During my Ph.D. program, I was the teaching assistant for 4 classes, two of which were in consecutive quarters for the Senior Design class, working closely with approximately 100 students by facilitating weekly lab classes using several simulation software. I have experience as a guest lecturer for a class titled Green Engineering.

Throughout my Ph.D. and postdoctoral years, I have mentored six undergraduate students; out of the three who have graduated, one is a process engineer, one a Master’s student, and another joining a Ph.D. program in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.