Our research focuses are centered around one question: “what is the future of polymer industry in a decarbonized world?”

Our group studies experimental polymer science to find solutions for (i) direct utilization of renewable resources and (ii) recycling and reuse, in the context of performance-advantaged polymer materials. Our research spans a broad range of molecular design, material microstructures, and processing-property relationship.

Make Carbon Fiber Composites 10X Cheaper

For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled. — Richard Feynman

Carbon fiber composite materials triumph in strength-to-weight ratios, but drawf in cost and recyclability. Our research enables breakthrough cost reduction through (1) reclamation of continuous carbon fiber by epoxy matrix depolymerization; (2) sustainable, next-generation resin derived from abundant bio-feedstock and waste plastics; and (3) Energy-saving, time-saving material processing by engineering orthogonal neat polymerization reactions.

Example publications:

Solventless Dual-cure Liquid Resins via Circular Use of Phthalic Anhydride for Recyclable Composite Applications. Macromolecular Rapid Communication, ASAP.

Solventless, Rapid-polymerizable Liquid Resins from Renewable Carboxylic Acids through Low-viscous Acid/Base Complexes. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2025 13 (1), 190-199.

Methacrylate-Epoxy Photopolymer Networks via Orthogonal Free-radical/Epoxy-acid Reactions in Neat Conditions. ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 2024, 6 (17), 10544-10554.

Polyester Networks from Structurally Similar Monomers: Recyclable-by-design and Upcyclable to Photopolymers. Polymer Chemistry, 2023,14, 2964-2970

Most ‘impossible’ materials that one can imagine seem impossible because they have not been made, not because there is a sound theoretical reason that they cannot be made. — George M. Whitesides

3D printing has revolutionized manufacturing; 3D printed materials remain subpar. In stereolithography 3D printing, the photopolymer materials notoriously lack toughness. To this end, we aim breakthrough enhancement of toughness through engineered microstructures of the cross-linked photopolymer networks. Our approach comprises molecular design of new polymers, implementation of orthogonal neat polymerization reactions, and integrated development of resin and print process.

Example publications

Controlled Orthogonal Reactions in Neat Polymerizations. (review article) Polymer Chemistry, 2024, 15 (39), 3954-3966.

Ductile Glassy Polymer Networks Capable of Large Plastic Deformation and Elastic Recovery. ACS Materials Letters 6, 2714-2724

Semicrystalline Polyamide Networks by Neat Photopolymerization of Liquid Monomers. in review 

Make Photopolymer 10X Tougher