PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES
Materials Research Engineer at the MXA/IBM at Yorktown Heights IBM Watson Research Center since 2022
- Research phase change materials for artificial intelligence applications.
- Research selector materials (Ovonic Threshold Switching materials) for the next-generation memory chips.
Graduate Research Assistant at The City College of New York, 2017-2022
Thesis Project: Biomimetic Water-Responsive Structures: From Fundamental Mechanisms to Evaporation Energy Harvesting Applications.
Advisor: Dr. Xi Chen.
-Discovered the most powerful actuator nanomaterial (peptidoglycan) using a self-customized AFM.
-Unraveled the water’s unconventional properties within nanoconfinement, showing that the nanoconfined water resists cavitation pressure of ~67 MPa and has a viscosity ~100,000 times higher than that of bulk water.
-Developed approaches in extracting biomaterials and fabricating nanostructures (<10 nm) for studies of nanoconfined water using wet chemistry skills and electron beam lithography techniques.
-Prototyped nano- to meter-scale devices and their control systems for harvesting evaporation energy using lithography, laser cutting, and 3D printing techniques.
-Validated design guidelines for humidity-responsive materials with material mechanics and thermodynamic theories.
-Authored routine research progress reports of two projects for the Office of Naval Research.
-Trained and mentored 18 undergraduate, and 5 high school students on different research projects.
- Research phase change materials for artificial intelligence applications.
- Research selector materials (Ovonic Threshold Switching materials) for the next-generation memory chips.
Graduate Research Assistant at The City College of New York, 2017-2022
Thesis Project: Biomimetic Water-Responsive Structures: From Fundamental Mechanisms to Evaporation Energy Harvesting Applications.
Advisor: Dr. Xi Chen.
-Discovered the most powerful actuator nanomaterial (peptidoglycan) using a self-customized AFM.
-Unraveled the water’s unconventional properties within nanoconfinement, showing that the nanoconfined water resists cavitation pressure of ~67 MPa and has a viscosity ~100,000 times higher than that of bulk water.
-Developed approaches in extracting biomaterials and fabricating nanostructures (<10 nm) for studies of nanoconfined water using wet chemistry skills and electron beam lithography techniques.
-Prototyped nano- to meter-scale devices and their control systems for harvesting evaporation energy using lithography, laser cutting, and 3D printing techniques.
-Validated design guidelines for humidity-responsive materials with material mechanics and thermodynamic theories.
-Authored routine research progress reports of two projects for the Office of Naval Research.
-Trained and mentored 18 undergraduate, and 5 high school students on different research projects.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Technical skills: WetChemistry Techniques, Focused Ion Beam (FIB) - Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Stylus profilometer, Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA), Electron Beam Lithography (EBL), Lyophilization Technique, Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS) systems, 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, Magnetron sputtering.
Software skills/experiences: WeCas, AutoCAD, ImageJ, Avizo, WordPress, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Pytorch, AIHWKit, AI neural network models,
Programming language: MATLAB(m-script and Simulink), Labview, Python.
Software skills/experiences: WeCas, AutoCAD, ImageJ, Avizo, WordPress, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Pytorch, AIHWKit, AI neural network models,
Programming language: MATLAB(m-script and Simulink), Labview, Python.
PEER-REVIEW PAPERS AND PATENT
- Antonio R. Cerullo, Maxwell B. McDermott, Lauren E. Pepi, Zhi-Lun Liu, Diariou Barry, Sheng Zhang, Xu Yang, Xi Chen, Parastoo Azadi, Mande Holford, and Adam B. Braunschweig. Comparative mucomic analysis of three functionally distinct Cornu aspersum Secretions. Nature Communications 14, 5361 (2023).
- Zhi-Lun Liu, XiChen. Water-content-dependent morphologies and mechanical properties of Bacillus subtilis spores' cortex peptidoglycan. ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering 8, 5094-5100 (2022).
- Zhi-Lun Liu*, Haozhen Wang*, Jianpei Lao, Sheng Zhang, Rinat Abzalimov, Tong Wang, Xi Chen. High energy and power density peptidoglycan muscles through super-viscous nanoconfined water. Advanced Science 2104697 (2022). DOI: 10.1002/advs.202104697. (* These authors contributed equally to this work.) (Highlighted in AZO Materials, Scienmag Science Magazine, EurekAlert!, Bioengineer.org., and ASRC homepage.)
- Xi Chen, Zhi-Lun Liu, Mir Ahnaf Hussain, Zane Shatz, Rein V. Ulijn, Yi-Ren Wang, Daniela Kroiss, and Haozhen Wang. Water-responsive materials and uses therefor. Pub. #: US 2019/0309735 A1,Oct. 10, 2019.
- Zhi-Lun Liu, Xi Chen, et al. A paper-based rotary evaporation engine. Manuscript in preparation (Highlighted in ASRC Nanoscience Initiatives homepage.)
- Haozhen Wang, Seungri Kim,Tai-De Li, Zhi-Lun Liu, Xi Chen. Relative humidity-enhanced viscous moduli facilitate water-responsiveness of peptidoglycan. Manuscript in preparation.
- Zhi-Lun Liu, XiChen. Water-content-dependent morphologies and mechanical properties of Bacillus subtilis spores' cortex peptidoglycan. ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering 8, 5094-5100 (2022).
- Zhi-Lun Liu*, Haozhen Wang*, Jianpei Lao, Sheng Zhang, Rinat Abzalimov, Tong Wang, Xi Chen. High energy and power density peptidoglycan muscles through super-viscous nanoconfined water. Advanced Science 2104697 (2022). DOI: 10.1002/advs.202104697. (* These authors contributed equally to this work.) (Highlighted in AZO Materials, Scienmag Science Magazine, EurekAlert!, Bioengineer.org., and ASRC homepage.)
- Xi Chen, Zhi-Lun Liu, Mir Ahnaf Hussain, Zane Shatz, Rein V. Ulijn, Yi-Ren Wang, Daniela Kroiss, and Haozhen Wang. Water-responsive materials and uses therefor. Pub. #: US 2019/0309735 A1,Oct. 10, 2019.
- Zhi-Lun Liu, Xi Chen, et al. A paper-based rotary evaporation engine. Manuscript in preparation (Highlighted in ASRC Nanoscience Initiatives homepage.)
- Haozhen Wang, Seungri Kim,Tai-De Li, Zhi-Lun Liu, Xi Chen. Relative humidity-enhanced viscous moduli facilitate water-responsiveness of peptidoglycan. Manuscript in preparation.
SELECTED CONFERENCE & PRESENTATIONS
- Zhi-Lun Liu, and Xi Chen. Cavitation pressure limit of water confined in bio-mimetic water-responsive structures, 2021AIChE Annual Meeting, November 7-11, Boston, 2021. (Oral presentation)
- Zhi-Lun Liu, Haozhen Wang andXi Chen. Nanoconfined water endows peptidoglycan extreme water-responsive actuation.2021 AIChE Annual Meeting, November 7-11, Boston, 2021. (Oral presentation)
- Zhi-Lun Liu, Haozhen Wang, Jianpei Lao, Sheng Zhang, Rinat Abzalimov, Tong Wang, Xi Chen. Extreme energy and power densities of peptidoglycan muscles. 2021 CUNY Nano Day, April 22, Online, 2021. (Oral presentation)
- Zhi-Lun Liu and Xi Chen. Harvest evaporation energy using nano-confined water’s properties. 2021 Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization (SNO) Mentoring Program, March 24, Online,2021. (Oral presentation)
- Zhi-Lun Liu, Haozhen Wang, Xi Chen. Peptidoglycan dominates Bacillus subtilis spore’s water-responsive actuation. 2020 AIChE Annual Meeting, November 15-20, San Francisco,2020. (Oral presentation)
- Zhi-Lun Liu, Haozhen Wang, Xi Chen. Peptidoglycan isolated from Bacillus subtilis spores shows extreme stimuli-responsive actuation. 2020 MRS Fall Meeting and Exhibit, November27 - December 4, Boston, 2020. (Oral presentation)
- Zhi-Lun Liu, Haozhen Wang, Xi Chen. Extreme energy and power densities of peptidoglycan muscles. 2020 City college ChemE graduate student symposium, November 9, New York, 2020. (Oral presentation)
- Zhi-Lun Liu, Haozhen Wang, Sheng Zhang, Xi Chen. Cortex Dominates Bacillus subtilis Spore’s Water-Responsive Behaviors. Converge to Transform webinar series and interdisciplinary poster session, June 23, Online, 2020.
- Zhi-Lun Liu, Haozhen Wang, Sheng Zhang, Xi Chen. Cortex Dominates Bacillus subtilis Spore’s Water-Responsive Behaviors. 2019 MRS Fall Meeting and Exhibit, December1-6, Boston, 2019. (Poster presentation)
*only listed the presentations that I am the presenting author.
- Zhi-Lun Liu, Haozhen Wang andXi Chen. Nanoconfined water endows peptidoglycan extreme water-responsive actuation.2021 AIChE Annual Meeting, November 7-11, Boston, 2021. (Oral presentation)
- Zhi-Lun Liu, Haozhen Wang, Jianpei Lao, Sheng Zhang, Rinat Abzalimov, Tong Wang, Xi Chen. Extreme energy and power densities of peptidoglycan muscles. 2021 CUNY Nano Day, April 22, Online, 2021. (Oral presentation)
- Zhi-Lun Liu and Xi Chen. Harvest evaporation energy using nano-confined water’s properties. 2021 Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization (SNO) Mentoring Program, March 24, Online,2021. (Oral presentation)
- Zhi-Lun Liu, Haozhen Wang, Xi Chen. Peptidoglycan dominates Bacillus subtilis spore’s water-responsive actuation. 2020 AIChE Annual Meeting, November 15-20, San Francisco,2020. (Oral presentation)
- Zhi-Lun Liu, Haozhen Wang, Xi Chen. Peptidoglycan isolated from Bacillus subtilis spores shows extreme stimuli-responsive actuation. 2020 MRS Fall Meeting and Exhibit, November27 - December 4, Boston, 2020. (Oral presentation)
- Zhi-Lun Liu, Haozhen Wang, Xi Chen. Extreme energy and power densities of peptidoglycan muscles. 2020 City college ChemE graduate student symposium, November 9, New York, 2020. (Oral presentation)
- Zhi-Lun Liu, Haozhen Wang, Sheng Zhang, Xi Chen. Cortex Dominates Bacillus subtilis Spore’s Water-Responsive Behaviors. Converge to Transform webinar series and interdisciplinary poster session, June 23, Online, 2020.
- Zhi-Lun Liu, Haozhen Wang, Sheng Zhang, Xi Chen. Cortex Dominates Bacillus subtilis Spore’s Water-Responsive Behaviors. 2019 MRS Fall Meeting and Exhibit, December1-6, Boston, 2019. (Poster presentation)
*only listed the presentations that I am the presenting author.
HONORS & AWARDS
- Won the science art competition. 2021 CUNY Nano Day, April 22, Online, 2021.
- The third place in Nanopitch contest. 2021 Sustainable NanotechnologyOrganization (SNO), March 24, Online, 2021.
- Fellowship award from the PhD Committee in the Grove School of Engineering (GSOE), CCNY, 2020.
- Poster award in Converge to Transform webinar series and interdisciplinary poster session, ASRC/GC 2020.
- Fellowship in symposium assistant program in 2019 MRS Fall Meeting and Exhibit, December 1-6,Boston, 2019.
- 50 finalist images inScience as Art competition. 2019 MRS FallMeeting and Exhibit, December 1-6,Boston, 2019.
- Travel fund award in CUNY Summer Undergraduate Research Program (CSURP), 2019.
- The third place in Nanopitch contest. 2021 Sustainable NanotechnologyOrganization (SNO), March 24, Online, 2021.
- Fellowship award from the PhD Committee in the Grove School of Engineering (GSOE), CCNY, 2020.
- Poster award in Converge to Transform webinar series and interdisciplinary poster session, ASRC/GC 2020.
- Fellowship in symposium assistant program in 2019 MRS Fall Meeting and Exhibit, December 1-6,Boston, 2019.
- 50 finalist images inScience as Art competition. 2019 MRS FallMeeting and Exhibit, December 1-6,Boston, 2019.
- Travel fund award in CUNY Summer Undergraduate Research Program (CSURP), 2019.
TEACHING EXPERIENCES
- CHEM 79051 – LaboratoryTechnique Research Nanotechnology Materials I, Fall 2021, GC
- CHEM 79051 – LaboratoryTechnique Research Nanotechnology Materials I, Spring 2020, GC
- CHE 34200 – Transport Phenomena II, Spring 2019, CCNY
- CHEM 79051 – Laboratory Technique Research Nanotechnology Materials I, Spring 2019, GC
- CHE 47900 – Chemical Process Dynamics and Control, Fall 2018, CCNY
- CHEM 79051 – LaboratoryTechnique Research Nanotechnology Materials I, Spring 2020, GC
- CHE 34200 – Transport Phenomena II, Spring 2019, CCNY
- CHEM 79051 – Laboratory Technique Research Nanotechnology Materials I, Spring 2019, GC
- CHE 47900 – Chemical Process Dynamics and Control, Fall 2018, CCNY