Understanding Transport Phenomena to Provide Solutions in Energy and Environment
The water-energy-carbon nexus is central to sustainable development. With the growing population and climate change crisis, there is a dire need for new efficient, low-carbon technologies (e.g., highly selective membranes) to address the expanding demand for clean water and energy. However, creating such technologies requires a solid understanding of fluid dynamics under nanoconfinement in membrane pores. One of our research areas of interest is the application of theoretical and computational tools, aided by machine learning and artificial intelligence, to address knowledge gaps in membrane science, which rely on the understanding of physical phenomena across different scales, ranging from Ångstroms to meters. We leverage these insights to guide the design and development of next-generation membranes for water and energy applications.
Understanding Interfacial Interactions between Soft/Hard Materials and Biological Molecules for Disease Diagnosis
A fundamental, molecular-level understanding of the interactions between biological molecules and different surfaces can lead to the knowledge-based development of devices for biomedical applications, particularly for disease diagnosis. In our group, we will employ atomistic simulations, assisted by machine learning, to advance the scientific foundations for creating highly sensitive diagnostic devices.