(2hj) Bioinspired Soft Separation Materials and 2D Polymers

Working in different capacities over the last ten years, I have gained a diverse research experience in multiple academic institutions including Ph.D. in Chemical engineering at the University of Texas at Austin and Postdoctoral trainings in Chemical Engineering at MIT. I have possessed research perspectives and skills, particularly in 2D materials and polymers, bioinspired material science, membrane separation technologies, and fluids behaviors under extreme confinement of single-digit nanopores. The representative study was published in Nature Materials, 19, no. 3 (2020): 347-354. I have also been involved in projects on the characterization and construction of membranes around artificial water and ion channels, the development of energy-efficient protein functionalized filters for water treatment and rare earth element recovery, and the use of 3D bioprinted droplet interfacial bilayer tissues as responsive materials. As a postdoctoral associate with Professor Michael S. Strano at MIT, I further involve 2D polymer synthesis via irreversible polycondensation, characterize these materials using aberration-corrected TEM imaging and analysis, and explore their potential applications as novel 2D materials for membrane matrix and protective barriers. I also explore nanopore transports, nanosensors, and thermodynamic behaviors of fluids under extreme confinement. I have implemented a platform for probing fluid phase transitions in isolated and confined nanotubes using micro-Raman spectroscopy and TEM imaging.

My interest in this area is motivated by the pressing issues of environmental pollution and global water scarcity, and the potential for nature-inspired solutions to address these challenges. My research background will enable me to develop high nanoporous density and low defect 2D bioinspired separation materials and membranes for desalination and aqueous ion-ion separation. Biological membranes are ideal for these applications because of their high permeability and precise molecular selectivity, provided by specialized membrane protein channels. In contrast to commercial polymeric materials, biomimetic and bioinspired membranes with well-defined pore-forming structures that target precise molecular selectivity based on size and shape could be advantageous for creating separation materials with uniform pore size distributions. However, it remains challenging to incorporate membrane proteins or synthetic porous framework-based membranes into current manufacturing technology, likely due to (a) compatibility issues with porous structures and polymeric matrices, (b) nanoscopic defects on resulting membranes, (c) the use of large amounts of functionalized porous materials, and (d) time-intensive synthesis techniques. My future research will attempt to overcome these challenges through the following specific aims: (1) self-assembly of high-density water channel protein-polymer 2D crystal/nanosheets, (2) development of irreversible 2D membrane matrix and defect-sealing materials for robust and chemically resistant separation membranes, and (3) development of experimental techniques to determine ion transport and aqueous separations. The resulting 2D materials, including aquaporins, macrocycle molecules, and 2D polymer composites, have the potential to create thin, high porosity, and robust 2D planar configurations and offer sustainable, nature-based biomimetic solutions to address the limitations of current materials.

Teaching Interests

The prospect of teaching the future generation of engineers is a strong and intensely personal motivation for me to pursue an academic career. Teaching and mentoring students have been a significant and integral part of my graduate program. These experiences have strengthened my desire to pursue an academic career. Not only would I contribute and mentor the next generation, but my concepts and teaching skills would also be enriched, polished, and advanced by interacting with students. Additionally, the unique atmosphere of a university, where people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives come together to share and create ideas, is highly appealing to me. During my Ph.D. and Postdoctoral studies, I have had the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant and outreach program organizer four times, and I have mentored seven undergraduate and three early Ph.D. students in research labs. These experiences have helped me to develop my own approach to teaching and mentorship, which emphasizes 1) creating an open and inclusive learning environment; 2) using practical examples to make fundamental concepts accessible; and 3) incorporating effective scientific communication as a course objective.

I have endeavored to instruct Transport Processes course as a teaching assistant at the University of Texas at Austin for two semesters and develop my own teaching style. Transport Processes is a fundamental and crucial course for undergraduate students, as it helps them to understand and apply the principles of material behavior and engineering. I focused on connecting theories and modern technologies through practical examples and industrial applications. Where I contributed and enjoyed most were the course material preparation aspects and conversations with students during the weekly recitation course and office hours. I believe that effective science communication is essential for any engineer, and as a non-native speaker, I have had to work hard to build this skill over time. I have always made a concerted effort to create clear slide presentations, improve my teaching effectiveness, and genuinely help students succeed in this course. In addition to the regular course schedule, I have also volunteered to review course materials and assist students in breaking down homework problems into manageable pieces. I have also made additional time available to discuss exam problems and offer individual assistance to students.

I have completed my B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in chemical engineering. Throughout my academic journey, I have focused on research and characterization techniques in various fields, including polymers, biological molecules, and soft materials. These experiences have equipped me with a solid foundation in chemical engineering principles and fundamental material science, such as Mass and Energy Balance, Physical Chemistry, Transport Phenomena and Unit Operations. Additionally, my research on topics such as membrane separations, biophysics, biomimetic applications, nanofluidic transport, and thermodynamic properties under extreme confinement has prepared me to contribute to new elective courses, such as “Mass Transfer in Polymers” and “Membrane Technology and Applications. I firmly believe teaching and mentoring are essential and noble professions. Growing up, I was fortunate to be surrounded by a community that valued the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge. As such, I am committed to teaching and mentoring in my future academic career and look forward to bringing my energetic and patient teaching style, versatile research skills, and international background to educate the next generation of students, engineers, and scientists.