March 2023 – Materials Chemistry Frontiers Blog

Archive for March, 2023

Emerging Investigator: Haoke Zhang at Zhejiang University, China

27 Mar 2023

Emerging Investigator: Haoke Zhang

Position Assistant Professor

Education 2015–2018 Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Ph.D.

2012–2015 Zhejiang University M.Eng.

2008–2012 Zhengzhou University B.Eng.

Group Website http://aie-zju.cn/

ORCID 0000-0001-7309-2506 Google Scholar

Read Haoke Zhang’s Emerging Investigator Series article in Materials Chemistry Frontiers and learn more about him.


	In situ monitoring of protein aggregation via clusteroluminescence
	Zhiming Zhang,‡ Longchen Zhu,‡ Jiahui Feng,‡ Haoke Zhang,* Xin Zhang,* Jing Zhi Sun* and Ben Zhong Tang*
	The protein aggregation is successfully monitored using the intrinsic abnormal visible emission at the clustering state, namely clusteroluminescence (CL).

	From the themed collection: Frontiers Emerging Investigator Series
	The article was first published on 30 Dec 2022
	Mater. Chem. Front., 2023, 7, 713-719
	https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01032A

My research interests

Key words: through-space interactions, clusteroluminescence, aggregation-induced emission

My research interests focus on the mechanistic study of clusteroluminescence (CL) which is the nonconventional luminescence at the clustering state from non-conjugated structures, with the goal of systematically studying the aggregate photophysics based on through-space interactions. Based on the new theories, we are committed to designing high-efficiency and long-wavelength luminogens with CL properties and developing their biological applications, such as bio-imaging and monitoring of biological processes.

10 Facts about me

I published my first academic article in J. Mater. Chem. C., published by the RSC.

An accomplishment I’m particularly proud of is having organized the 1st International Conference on Clusteroluminescence (ICC).

I am most passionate about my work in developing novel materials because I can create new things from nothing.

One of my dreams is to pursue pure and free academic research without external “noise”.

The motivation for my academic career is an irreparable Walkman in my childhood.

My favourite sport is swimming.

My favourite book is Ordinary World.

If I were not a scientist, I would be an aerospace engineer.

If I have a half-year holiday, I will go on a self-drive tour through Xinjiang and Tibet with my family.

The most important thing I learnt is self-discipline.

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Emerging Investigator: Xiaogang Liu at Singapore University of Technology and Design

27 Mar 2023

Emerging Investigator: Xiaogang Liu

Position Assistant Professor

Education 2010–2014 University of Cambridge Ph.D.

ORCID 0000-0002-2553-2068 Google Scholar

Read Xiaogang Liu’s Emerging Investigator Series article in Materials Chemistry Frontiers and learn more about him.


	The fluorescence quenching mechanism of tetrazine-functionalized fluorogenic labels with integrated π-conjugations: internal conversion to a dark state
	Tianruo Shen, Wenda Zhang, Priya Yadav, Xiao Wei Sun and Xiaogang Liu*
	We formalized a unique working mechanism – internal conversion to a dark state (ICDS) to rationalize the fluorogenicity of the tetrazine-fused fluorophores with integrated π-conjugations.

	From the themed collection: Frontiers Emerging Investigator Series
	The article was first published on 19 Jan 2023
	Mater. Chem. Front., 2023, 7, 1082-1092
	https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01264B

My research interests

Key words: dye chemistry, photochemistry, computational chemistry, fluorophores, fluorescent probes

We conduct both computational and experimental studies on fluorescent dyes and sensors. We use both “bottom-up” and “top-down” approaches to systematically summarize molecular design rules. In the “bottom-up” approach, we employ quantum chemical calculations and experimental characterizations to understand the molecular origins of a particular dye, before generalizing such knowledge to a wide range of compounds. In the “top-down” approach, we perform “data mining” in chemical databases and search patterns between molecular structures and their properties; subsequently, we validate these patterns using quantum chemical calculations, and thereby generate molecular design rules.

These rational molecular design rules enable us to develop novel fluorescent dyes and sensors with enhanced performance. A deep understanding of the structure–property relationships of fluorophores also permits us to reveal the photophysics and photochemistry of various fluorescent compounds.

Our research vision is to shift the chemistry of fluorophores from “trial-and-error” to molecular engineering, such that one gains the ultimate abilities to “design” tailored fluorescent properties to suit a given application.

10 Facts about me

An accomplishment I’m particularly proud of is the discovery of a new charge transfer mechanism (twisted intramolecular charge shuttle).

I am most passionate about my work in understanding the working mechanism of fluorescent compounds because it is fascinating to play with light at the molecular scale.

I published my first academic article on the invisibility cloak in 2010, as a research engineer. It teaches me the importance of teamwork. I have since switched my research directions several times, for curiosity and fun!

My biggest motivation to do research is to uncover the secrets of the natural world.

I advise my students to be critical about any views in the pursuit of science, including those from me.

If I were not a scientist, I would be a teacher. I enjoy teaching and interacting with students.

My passion besides work is reading and travel.

My favorite time of day is early morning at home, with the sunrise and music.

One thing I cannot live without is my family.

The most important thing I learned from my parents is caring for others.

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Emerging Investigator: Nan Jiang at the University of Illinois Chicago, USA

27 Mar 2023

Emerging Investigator: Nan Jiang

Position Associate Professor

Postdoc 2010–2015 Northwestern University (USA)

Education 2004–2010 Institute of Physics, CAS Ph.D.

2000–2004 University of Science and Technology of China B.Sc.

Website https://jiang.lab.uic.edu/

ORCID 0000-0002-4570-180X Google Scholar

Read Nan Jiang’s Emerging Investigator Series article in Materials Chemistry Frontiers and learn more about him.


	The selective blocking of potentially catalytically active sites on surface-supported iron oxide catalysts
	Dairong Liu, Linfei Li, Buddhika S. A. Gedara, Michael Trenary and Nan Jiang*
	Selective growth of Pd and Pt on the edges of Au(111) supported FeO islands was observed. The complicated interfaces formed in selective growth raise a platform for the research of edge involved catalytic reactions.

	From the themed collection: Frontiers Emerging Investigator Series
	The article was first published on 23 Dec 2022
	Mater. Chem. Front., 2023, 7, 476-482
	https://doi.org/10.1039/D2QM01025A

My research interests

Key words: scanning probe microscope, Raman spectroscopy, tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, nanoscience, nanomaterials

The goals of my research group are to develop and apply scanning probe-based nanotechnology, including scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) to provide angstrom-scale mechanistic insights for complex chemical systems. My research is at the interface of Chemistry and Materials Science and provides the needed information about environmental heterogeneity in complex chemical systems such as nanostructures on metal surfaces and the surfaces of two-dimensional (2D) materials. My group is uniquely positioned to characterize these systems both spatially and chemically using STM and TERS. With the optical set-up which I designed, my group is now able to: (1) observe weak vibrational modes that would be lost with less sensitive Raman techniques, (2) improve the signal-to-noise ratio for TERS to investigate subtle changes in molecular binding at the atomic level, and (3) achieve spatial resolution of TERS below 1 nm. These findings will guide the rational design of nanoscale systems.

10 Facts about me

I published my first academic article as an undergraduate research assistant at the University of Science and Technology of China.

An accomplishment I’m particularly proud of is developing a hybrid technique by combining scanning probe microscopy with optical spectroscopy to understand and predict the single-molecule processes at the angstrom scale.

I am most passionate about my work in pushing the spatial limit of chemical imaging because single-bond chemistry can be ultimately observed.

I have the highest respect for Prof. Richard P. Van Duyne. He was a role model and leader who asked hard questions and provided enthusiastic suggestions for paths forward while also appreciating each student or postdoc for who they were. Although Prof. Van Duyne passed away in 2019, his legacy lives on in the minds he molded where his passion for science lives on.

My favourite thing to do outside of work is traveling. I can explore the unknown world and learn more.

I chose chemistry as a career because chemistry can create new things.

A key experience in my education was having done multiple-major studies in multiple countries.

The biggest challenge for me is to convince others to believe in my crazy scientific proposals.

One thing that can make me happy for sure is visiting a new country (maybe a new planet in the future).

I advise my students to be valuable men, which is more important than just being successful men.

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Materials Chemistry Frontiers Blog

Archive for March, 2023

Emerging Investigator: Haoke Zhang at Zhejiang University, China

Emerging Investigator: Xiaogang Liu at Singapore University of Technology and Design

Emerging Investigator: Nan Jiang at the University of Illinois Chicago, USA

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