WELCOME TO
ASIPI RESEARCH GROUP
---The human imagination is finite but the universe is infinite
Our research intersects the multidisciplinary fields of surface engineering, functional polymers, interface mechanics, and micro/nano-fabrication. By exploring Advanced Surface & Interface Process Intensification (ASIPI), the research aims to understand the interaction at Interface Phenomena and Surface Science, thus bringing transformational efficiency enhancements in interfacial processes for a sustainable environment, energy, and health.




Motivation
Be a scientist, save the world. --- Richard Smalley
Nowadays, we human beings are facing with the stickiest challenges in environment, energy, and health. These issues encompass global risks that are more significant than ever before in the history of civilization. Increasingly polluted environment, nearly exhausted energy and unpredictably emerging diseases will affect or have affected the lives of people in every country and region of the world. The overarching goal of my research is to build a world-class research program on the design and synthesis of multi-materials systems thus addressing the stickiest challenges in the world.
Mission
ASIPI research aims to pioneer scientific exploration by advancing surface functionalization through physical and chemical approaches, focusing on enhancing efficiency in physicochemical interface processes. By integrating cutting-edge research in surface engineering, functional polymers, interface mechanics, and micro/nano-fabrication, the designed static and dynamic surfaces are promising for strengthening and improving interfacial processes. The multi-processes of chemical conversion, interfacial adhesion, molecular recognition, wetting dynamics, and heat transfer could be regulated over multiple length scales. Leveraging the convergence of interdisciplinary backgrounds from chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and materials science, ASIPI research offers keen insight into fundamental science and engineering applications to the stickiest interfacial challenges in the environment, energy, and health. These special topics include, but are not limited to, interfacial adhesion/lubrication, liquid/solid repellency, anti/de-icing, droplet self-propulsion, thermal management, drag reduction, water-energy nexus, nanochannel flow, molecular sensing, smart self-regulating systems, and energy storage devices.

Expertise


SURFACE ENGINEERING


FUNCTIONAL POLYMER

INTERFACE MECHANICS


MICRO/NANO FABRICATION

Recent News
-
08.27.2026, Our work entitled "Confined shear-induced structure discretization enables re-entrant superrepellent metals" was published in Nature Communications. Congratulations to Xuanyao and the co-authors!
-
08.07.2026, Professor Zhang Zhihong, Executive Director of the Torch High Technology Industry Development Center, Ministry of Science and Technology, and former Vice Mayor of Dalian, together with his delegation, visited our laboratory and conducted an on-site inspection of the endotoxin detection project independent of biological materials.
-
07.28.2026, Lei visited National Health Technology Industry Base (Zhongshan) and delivered a presentation titled “Advanced Surface Manufacturing Toward National Demands".
-
06.18.2026, Lei visited Sichuan Microfluidics Co., Ltd. and attended the Exchange Session on the Precision Manufacturing Project for Microfluidic Devices
-
06.16.2026, Lei visited Shenzhen Office of China Education Logistics Association and delivered a presentation titled “Non-biological endotoxin detection”.
-
05.27.2026, HOPELIGHT Startup Financing Due Diligence Meeting.


