Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

We Focus on the development of synthetic pathways for new zeolitic materials that can show outstanding performances in major fields of industrial chemistry such as catalysis and separation, based on various synthetic technologies including design of new organic structure-directing agents (OSDAs), innovative hydrothermal crystallization systems, topotactic transformation, postsynthetic treatment. We ultimately aim at a priori design heterogeneous catalysts that can cater to ever-escalating industrial and environmental needs.

The research group is interested in understanding fundamental interactions in soft material from the molecular level and relating them to the bulk state properties. The specialty of the group is to characterize the colloidal dispersions/microstructures in details with extensive scattering techniques and to relate them to dynamics at interface and physical properties in bulk. The current interests include dispersions of colloids and polymers in non-equilibrium states, interfacial properties of block copolymers and polymer nanocomposites and dispersions of 2D colloids.

The research in my group is currently engaged in two general fields of interest: 1) developing new synthetic methods for biologically active products and 2) bio-medical engineering for diagnosis and therapy. First, we focus on photo-catalyzed and tandem reactions using nanoscale heterogeneous catalysts. The characteristics and roles of catalysts in various organic chemical transformations are identified and applied to a wide range of biologically active compounds. Second, we utilize organic synthetic methodologies to develop biomolecules, including small molecule cancer drugs, MRI contrast agents, nano delivery vehicles, and nano-bio sensors for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.