Research

• Atmospheric Water Harvesting

Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) is a sustainable technique for extracting water from air humidity. It utilizes methods such as condensation, fog collection, and sorbent-based adsorption to capture atmospheric moisture. Sorbent materials, like metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) or silica gels, can adsorb water vapor even under low-humidity conditions. AWH systems are particularly valuable in arid or remote regions where conventional water sources are limited. Recent advancements in material science and energy-efficient designs have improved their practicality. Despite ongoing challenges in scalability and efficiency, AWH holds promise as a decentralized, renewable water supply solution amid growing global water scarcity. 

• Water Treatment/Desalination/Purification

Today, water desalination and purification technology is increasingly important due to the shortage of fresh water . But, current technology needs plenty of energy  and most of it comes from fossil fuel and nuclear power. Recently, solar desalination technology using solar-thermal energy to assist in creating freshwater from seawater have been coming into the spotlight because sun is unfailing sources of energy supply. Our group  focuses on  development and fabricating brand-new solar desalination devices with sustainable raw materials.

• Fireproof Aerogels for Li-ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries pose significant fire hazards due to their high energy density and flammable electrolyte components. Internal short circuits, overcharging, mechanical damage, or thermal runaway can trigger rapid heat generation, leading to combustion or even explosions. Neighboring cells within battery packs can propagate fire through heat transfer, exacerbating safety risks. These challenges highlight the urgent need for improved thermal management, robust battery designs, and incorporation of fireproof materials to enhance safety.  Our group is conducting research on lightweight and impact-resistant aerogel materials with flame-retardant properties that can prevent inter-cell fire-propagation in lithium-ion batteries. 

*Co-working with Hyundai Motor Company

• Solar-driven Remediation

Solar-driven water and soil remediation offers a sustainable route to address diverse contaminants such as heavy metals, organic pollutants, and emerging toxins. By employing interfacial solar vapor generation (ISVG), solar energy is localized at evaporation interfaces to drive water transport and accelerate contaminant removal. When integrated with functional adsorbents or catalysts, these systems enable simultaneous contaminant capture, degradation, or immobilization. Plant-inspired architectures—comprising stem–leaf-like structures—enhance water uptake from soil or wastewater and promote efficient evaporation, while the condensed vapor can be recycled for continuous, water-efficient operation. Beyond their ecological mimicry of transpiration and the hydrologic cycle, solar-driven remediation platforms minimize external energy demands and secondary waste generation. Furthermore, the incorporation of bio-based materials, such as cellulose nanofibers, improves sustainability and scalability. Overall, solar-powered artificial phytoextraction represents a versatile, eco-friendly approach to restoring polluted soils and waters, aligned with global demands for low-carbon and resilient remediation technologies.

• Biomass Materials

Wood/non-wood biomass, biorefinery(biomass valorisation), nanocellulose, biodegradable polymer