MOTIVATION

Be a scientist, save the world.  -- Richard Smalley 

Nowadays, we human beings are facing with the stickiest challenges in environment, energy, and health. These issues encompass global risks that are more significant than ever before in the history of civilization. Increasingly polluted environment, nearly exhausted energy and unpredictably emerging diseases will affect or have affected the lives of people in every country and region of the world. The overarching goal of my research is to build a world-class research program on the design and synthesis of multi-materials systems thus addressing the stickiest challenges in the world.

MISSION

ASIPI research focuses on exploring advanced surface functionalization to regulate physicochemical interface process in an energy-efficient way. By coupling cutting-edge studies of surface engineering, functional polymer, interface mechanics, and micro/nano-fabrication, the designed strategies are promising to autonomously reinforce and improve the interface process. The multi-processes of chemical conversion, interfacial adhesion, molecular recognition, wetting dynamics, heat transfer could be regulated over multiple length scales. Leveraging the convergence of interdisciplinary backgrounds from chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and materials science, the research is endowed with keen sights to a variety of fundamental science and engineering applications towards the stickiest challenges in environment and energy including (1) water scarcity, (2) energy utilization, (3) chemical/bio-fouling, and (4) undesired icing. Special topics involve but not be limited to the smart self-regulating system, interfacial adhesion/lubrication, liquid/solid repellency, anti/de-icing, droplet self-propulsion, dropwise condensation, drag reduction, water harvesting, membrane separation, and renewable power.