(2bm) Advancements in Nanoengineering: Colloidal Soft Materials & Advanced Coatings for Energy and Bio-Applications

At present, I am a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Texas at Austin, working under the guidance of Dr. Keith Johnston and Dr. Guihua Yu, specializing in the field of soft matter. My principal research area involves the creation of innovative and cost-effective nanotechnology solutions aimed at achieving long-term release of polymers in oil and gas industries. I spearheaded a collaborative initiative involving Shell, the Advanced Energy Consortium, and Brown University, focusing on controlling the release of polymer inhibitors during oil production. Now, there is no effective method for inhibiting asphaltenes over extended periods, often exceeding several months. I've been able to develop and characterize polymer-encapsulated nanomaterials that ensure a prolonged release of the chosen asphaltene inhibitor (AI) in a commonly utilized organic solvent. Our material can extend the release of AI over months, thus potentially minimizing the expense associated with frequent asphaltene cleanup. In collaboration with Brown University, we combined modeling and experimentation to analyze and study the release behavior of polymers. Our goal is to transition our products for practical field testing and further extend this technology to broader applications, including biomedical and agricultural sectors.

Meanwhile, I am collaborating with Dr. Yu to develop an antimicrobial hydrogel for water treatment applications. This project incorporates my expertise in the antimicrobial domain, derived from my Ph.D. studies, combined with Dr. Yu's professional proficiency in his specialized field. I received my MS in Material Science and Engineering in 2018 and will receive my Ph.D. in the Department of Chemical Engineering in 2022 at Texas A&M University, College Station. My MS and Ph.D. research mainly focused on two topics: (1) developing multifunctional coatings and polymer-based composites that effectively prevent bacterial contamination and (2) developing dynamic binary complex fluid that improves the efficiency of hydrocarbon recovery. My dissertation was titled "Development and Characterization of functional surfaces and coatings with microorganism repellent and inactivity properties for enhanced hygiene and safety." In addition, I was involved in the following research activities: (i) formulating nano-encapsulated drugs and studying the drug delivery to inactivate bacteria and kill the insect; (ii) developing metal or soft-matter-based thermal interface composite materials. (iii) developing stimuli-responsive fluid for hydrocarbon recovery and drag reduction. These studies collaborated with people from diverse backgrounds, including material science, chemistry, surface science, food science, and horticulture. And some of them are from different labs, universities, and countries. My interdisciplinary background has resulted in more than 20 peer-review publications during this period.

Research Interests

My research is designed to generate scientific knowledge and create engineering solutions that address practical challenges within diverse fields such as horticulture, healthcare, food industry, environmental studies, and energy. Colloidal materials play a crucial role in various practical applications including energy production, oil and gas industry, pharmaceuticals, biological processes, food industries, and horticulture, among others. Numerous successful applications of nanotechnology using colloidal materials have been realized across these fields. By understanding molecular interfacial interactions, introducing functionalization of chemicals, and constructing nanostructures, we can develop innovative colloidal and interfacial materials to address real-world problems.

For example, I intend to leverage my previous research experience in colloids and surface coating technology to develop functional colloidal materials and surfaces to solve real-world problems. Recently, numerous industrial and medical settings have been severely impacted by problems caused by microorganisms. Examples include corrosion of metal surfaces due to microbial activity, contamination of ships by fungus and algae, and bacterial contamination of biomedical devices. These issues often result in considerable financial burdens to mitigate. Thus, understanding and exploring the fundamental science of microorganisms’ adhesion on different materials surfaces contributes to (1) the intelligent design of surfaces that can prevent potential contamination and (2) the design of nanotechnology-based solutions that can enhance existing anti-microbial methods, making them more effective and economically friendly.

The development of nanoscale drugs using natural materials has gained considerable attention due to their large surface area, exceptional efficiency, low toxicity, and environmental friendliness. Antibiotic resistance has emerged as one of the most significant threats to healthcare and food security. There is an urgent need to leverage nano-techniques and natural materials to develop nano-drugs that enhance drug adsorption and combat antibiotic resistance. Simultaneously, the proposal of nanoscale natural drugs shows promise for improving plant health and creating composite materials for post-harvest treatments or food processing. Enhancing the stability of nano-polymers under extreme conditions and ensuring their long-term release are exciting areas of study for current applications in energy and the oil & gas sector.

Teaching statement

Teaching students is a fascinating and irreplaceable part of pursuing an academic position. My teaching philosophy centers on providing every student with an equitable opportunity for education. My goal as an educator is to guide them in developing critical thinking skills, effective communication abilities, and the application of science-based knowledge to solve problems in this era of burgeoning knowledge and information. My postdoctoral supervisor, Dr. Keith Johnston, once shared with me that teaching is one of the best methods for learning. After joining Dr. Johnston's lab, I've greatly enhanced my teaching and communication skills, both in mentoring students and exchanging knowledge with others. Simultaneously, I've recognized that language and communication differences for individuals from various backgrounds can pose unique challenges to teaching and learning. Therefore, it's crucial to maintain simplicity in explanations and to use precise language to facilitate effective learning. In the end, showing patience and appreciation towards others is one of the best ways to maintain good relationships with students and colleagues as we are all in a constant process of learning and teaching, enriching each other's knowledge..

During my years as a research mentor with undergraduates and fresh graduates, I found intense interests and crucial educational responsibilities. My teaching and mentoring skills have grown substantially with them. Teaching students in the university is not to make them remember knowledge forcibly. Encouraging and helping them to find their motivation in learning and the possibility of success is an effective and successful way. Also, I expect to deliver the right and valuable skills, knowledge, and experience to them as much detail as possible, reducing their cost of trial and error. With the experience of mentoring different people, I found that flexibly adjusting the style and schedule of guidance is necessary for students with different backgrounds, special requirements, and learning habits. Combining my experience as a student in plenty of classes and as a teaching assistant for "Applications of Thermodynamics to Chemical Engineering" (74 graduate students from different backgrounds), I also learned that teaching includes encouraging and motivating students to learn and solve valuable real-world problems. The instructor should provide appropriate learning paths accommodating different learning abilities and styles, especially for a large class.

Selected publications (20 published, 9 under revision and in process):

• Mu, M.*, Liu, S.*, DeFlorio, W., ... & Akbulut, M. "Influence of surface roughness, nanostructure, and wetting on bacterial adhesion" Langmuir 39 (15), 5426-543
• Liu, S.*, Lin, Y. T.*, Bhat, B., Pahari, S., Kuan, K. Y., De, A., ... & Akbulut, M. (2023). Dynamic, hollow nanotubular networks with superadjustable pH-responsive and temperature resistant rheological characteristics. Chemical Engineering Journal, 139364.
• Mu, M., Lin, Y. T., DeFlorio, W., Arcot, Y., Liu, S.,Zhou, W.,... & Akbulut, M. “Multifunctional Antifouling Coatings Involving Mesoporous Nanosilica and Essential Oil with Superhydrophobic, Antibacterial, and Bacterial Antiadhesion Characteristics” Applied Surface Science, 157656
• Pahari, S., Liu, S., Lee, C. H., Akbulut, M., & Kwon, J. S. I. (2022). SAXS-guided unbiased coarse-grained Monte Carlo simulation for identification of self-assembly nanostructures and dimensions. Soft Matter, 18(28), 5282-5292.
• Liu, S.*, Lin, Y. T.*, Bhat, B., Kuan, K. Y., Kwon, J. S. I., & Akbulut, M. (2021). pH-responsive viscoelastic supramolecular viscosifiers based on dynamic complexation of zwitterionic octadecylamidopropyl betaine and triamine for hydraulic fracturing applications. RSC advances, 11(37), 22517-22529.
• Liu, S., Ulugun, B., DeFlorio, W., Arcot, Y., Yegin, Y., Salazar, K. S., ... & Akbulut, M. (2021). Development of durable and superhydrophobic nanodiamond coating on aluminum surfaces for improved hygiene of food contact surfaces. Journal of Food Engineering, 298, 110487.
• Liu, S., Bae, M., Hao, L., Oh, J. K., White, A. R., Min, Y., ... & Akbulut, M. (2021). Bacterial antifouling characteristics of helicene—Graphene films. Nanomaterials, 11(1), 89.
• Arcot, Y.*, Liu, S.*, Ulugun, B., DeFlorio, W., Bae, M., Salazar, K. S., ... & Scholar, E. M. (2021). Fabrication of robust superhydrophobic coatings onto high-density polyethylene food contact surfaces for enhanced microbiological food safety. ACS Food Science & Technology, 1(7), 1180-1189.
• DeFlorio, W., Liu, S., White, A. R., Taylor, T. M., Cisneros‐Zevallos, L., Min, Y., & Scholar, E. M. (2021). Recent developments in antimicrobial and antifouling coatings to reduce or prevent contamination and cross‐contamination of food contact surfaces by bacteria. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 20(3), 3093-3134.
• Liu, S., Zheng, J., Hao, L., Yegin, Y., Bae, M., Ulugun, B., ... & Akbulut, M. (2020). Dual-functional, superhydrophobic coatings with bacterial anticontact and antimicrobial characteristics. ACS applied materials & interfaces, 12(19), 21311-21321