(4bx) Understanding, Design, and Engineering of Materials and Interfaces at the Atomic Scale for a Sustainable Energy Future

Nanostructures and their electrified solid/liquid interfaces are at the core of our advanced technology related to renewable energy, sustainability and biology. Understanding and controlling the dynamic evolution of these structures and interfaces at atomic scale is challenging, yet urgently needed given the increasing environmental impacts, resources scarcity, and sustainability demands. My future research will achieve this goal and beyond through my research expertise in electrochemistry, materials synthesis, in situ liquid phase electron microscopy, and cryogenic electron microscopy. My lab will focus on the following themes:

• Development of operando liquid phase electron microscopy and cryogenic electron microscopy techniques and methods to understand and control dynamic evolution of electrocatalysts and their solid/liquid interfaces.
• Design and synthesis of electrocatalysts for efficient electron-drive chemical transformation

Teaching Interests

I am interested to teach chemical engineering core courses including thermodynamics, kinetics, fluid dynamics, physical chemistry and transport phenomena at both undergraduate and graduate levels. I will design a course for doctoral candidates to be “instructors” instead of just students. Students will take turns to prepare for the teaching materials, present, discuss, and evaluate. This will put them on the other side of learning, explore topics beyond their areas of research, and promote communication among students. The aim is to go beyond traditional learning and equip students with a deeper understanding of learning and teaching, which will be beneficial beyond the doctoral program.