Research

Overview

Our goal is to engineer sustainable systems for clean energy and environment using Bio and Nano materials. We mainly focus on three primary objectives: (i) designing innovative bionanomaterials, (ii) controlling their molecular interactions, and (iii) translating their nanoscale properties into sustainable engineered systems. We work on controlling molecular interactions and functions of bionanomaterials, including bacteriophage, protein and carbohydrate polymer. These materials exhibit excellent capabilities in selective binding, stimuli-responsiveness and self-assembly behavior, which can be finely tuned through engineering controls. By utilizing the unique properties of bionanomaterials, we aim to develop sustainable separation processes, energy conversion systems and sensor technologies. 

• Advancing Sustainable Separation Systems Using Biomaterials

Biomaterial-based separation offers significant advantages to reduce environmental impact through their unique functionalities, such as high atomic selectivity and ease of mass production. By leveraging the programmability and scalability of biomaterials, we can significantly reduce the environmental impact and energy costs in chemical separations. While many biomaterials exhibit high selectivity for REEs, their practical application remains limited, primarily due to the lack of a scalable and environmentally friendly process.  To address this issue, we create scalable, environmentally friendly separation processes by employing stimuli-responsive biosorbent. Through genetic modification of biomaterials, specifically recombinant DNA technology, we create stimuli-responsive biosorbents with high specificity for target materials and stimuli-responsive phase transition. Following selective adsorption of target materials, we trigger the stimuli-responsive behavior of the biosorbent to isolate target materials from mixtures. We also investigate kinetics, transport, and thermodynamic parameters to facilitate effective scale-up. This novel separation approach is versatile and can be extended to the recovery of critical minerals and pharmaceutical molecules. Moreover, this sustainable separation process has potential applications in water purification systems for the removal of hydrocarbons and radioactive wastes. 

• Supramolecular Assembly of Bionanomaterials for Multiscale Functionalities

Macroscopic functionalities of biomaterials are frequently determined by the arrangement of individual molecules. We establish innovative pathways to translate the molecular characteristics of biomaterials into macroscopic functions through strategic assembly processes, enabling their application in energy, environmental and biomedical fields. We develop functional bionano building blocks and optimize their energy conversion, and mechanical and optical properties across multiple length scales through the supramolecular assembly. 

• Bioinspired Design of Structural Tissue Engineering Materials

Biomaterial-based tissue engineering approach offers distinct advantages in terms of diversity and biocompatibility. Although numerous collagen-mimetic biomaterials have been reported to tackle the challenges associated with native collagen for tissue regeneration, structure formation remains a significant concern. To restore the biological functions of tissues on larger scales, we need to induce the assembly of small molecules and effectively translate their interactions into macroscopic domains. Inspired by the synthesis and functionality of collagen in nature, we integrate high-throughput screening and self-templating assembly process to develop the structural scaffold for tissue regenerations. We aim to elucidate how structural biomaterials can activate specific functions in human tissues across various length scales through assembly, thereby advancing the development of structural tissue engineering materials.