Nano-confined interfaces have received growing attention in recent years, with a wide range of applications including artificial ion channels, water desalination, osmotic energy conversion, and electrical energy storage. New phenomena occur and new physics is expected when solid-liquid interfaces are under nanoscale confinement. My research projects include divalent ion transport in artificial ion channels and nanofluidic battery for lithium storage. By taking advantage of precision definition of geometry from top-down nanofabrication, I have designed and built nanofluidic devices with well-defined structures and highly controllable materials. Utilizing these nano devices, I explored the fundamental physics of ion transport in aqueous system with potential applications in artificial protein channels and water desalination. I also investigated electrochemical lithium insertion under nano-confinement for electrical energy storage with electrolytes dissolved in organic solvents.
Thesis Advisor: Mark Reed