Yuzhan Li
Tel: (515) 509-0922
Email: yuzhanli23@gmail.com
Address: 3480 Granada Ave #228, Santa Clara, CA 95051
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering | Iowa State University, Ames, IA 05/2014
Thesis: Synthesis and Characterization of Liquid Crystalline Epoxy Resins
B.S. in Macromolecule Materials and Engineering | Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 06/2009
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Staff Scientist | Washington State University, Pullman, WA 05/2014 – Present¬
• Developed and led a project funded by U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the development of printed organic thin-film transistors using high mobility conjugated liquid crystalline polymers.
• Developed and led a project funded by WSU commercialization gap funding for the development of smart shape-changing foams and fibers for textile and footwear materials.
• Led a project funded by NSF Center for Bioplastics and Biocomposites for developing bio-based reactive diluents to replace styrene in vinyl ester and unsaturated polyester resins.
• Developed polymer resin formulations for extrusion-based and light-based 3D/4D printing.
Visiting Scholar | Washington State University, Pullman, WA 08/2013-05/2014
• Designed and synthesized a multi-functional liquid crystalline epoxy network that responded to various stimuli including heat and UV light.
• Led a project funded by Air Force Office of Scientific Research for the development of novel liquid crystalline epoxy resins.
• Developed a liquid crystalline epoxy resin with controlled molecular orientation through thermomagnetic processing.
Research Assistant | Iowa State University, Ames, IA 08/2010 – 07/2013
• Synthesized novel epoxy resins by incorporating a liquid crystalline phase and investigated their structural, thermal, and mechanical properties using various experimental techniques.
• Investigated the effect of liquid crystalline phase formation on reaction kinetics of the resin.
• Tailored the performance of the resin using a magnetic field to control molecular orientation.
SKILLS
• Organic synthesis: Design basic synthesis route, synthesize and purify final products
• Structure Analysis: FT-IR, NMR, GC-MS, HPLC, UV-Vis, 1D-XRD, 2D-XRD, SEM, TEM
• Thermal Analysis: DSC, Modulated DSC, Rheology, DMA, TMA, TGA
• Mechanical Analysis: Universal mechanical testing, Nanoindentation
• Polymer Processing: Injection molding, Film blown molding
PATENTS AND DISCLOSURES
1. Y. Li, M. R. Kessler, O. Rios, “Stimuli-responsive Liquid Crystalline Networks” U.S. Patent Application Number 15/409,717. Publication number US 20170240811 A1. Publication date 08/24/2017.
2. Y. Li, M. R. Kessler, O. Rios, A. Johs, “3D Printable Liquid Crystalline Elastomers with Tunable Shape Memory Behavior and Bio-derived Renditions” U.S. Patent Application Number 15/091,182. Publication number US20160289491 A1. Publication date Oct 6, 2016.
3. Y. Li, M. R. Kessler, O. Rios, “Multifunctional Liquid Crystalline Networks” Invention Disclosure, Washington State University Office of Commercialization, Case No. 1619, November 4, 2015. Provisional application filed on January 19, 2016, and assigned serial number 62/280,189.
4. Y. Li, M. R. Kessler, O. Rios, A. Johs “Controlled Shape Memory Behaviors of a Smectic Main-chain Liquid Crystalline Elastomer” Invention Disclosure, Washington State University Office of Commercialization, Case No. 1538, March 10, 2015. Provisional application filed on April 6, 2015, and assigned serial number 62/143,691.
GRANTS AND CONTRACTS DEVELOPED
1. M. R. Kessler, Y. Li, “Shape Changing Smart Materials”, Washington State University Commercialization Gap Funding, January 2017-Janurary 2018, $50,000.
2. Y. Li, “High Mobility Conjugated Polymers with Magnetic Field-responsive Liquid Crystals as Side Chains”, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 04/01/2017-09/30/2018, $104,962.
PUBLICATIONS
1. Y. Zhang, Y. Li, VK. Thakur, L. Wang, J. Gu, Z. Gao, B. Fan, Q. Wu, M. R. Kessler, “Bio-Based Reactive Diluents as Sustainable Replacement for Styrene in MAESO Resin”, RSC Advances, 2018, Accepted.
2. Y. Zhang, Y. Li, VK. Thakur, Z. Gao, J. Gu, M. R. Kessler, “High Performance Thermosets with Tailored Properties Derived from Methacrylated Eugenol and Epoxy-Based Vinyl Ester”, Polymer International, 2018, Accepted.
3. T. Liu, C. Hao, L, Wang, Y. Li, W. Liu, J, Xin, J, Zhang, “Eugenol-derived Biobased Epoxy: Shape Memory, Repairing and Recyclability”, Macromolecules, 2017, 50(21), 8588-8597.
4. Y. Zhang, VK. Thakur, Y. Li, T. F. Garrison, Z. Gao, M. R. Kessler, “Soybean Oil-based Thermosetting Resins with Methacrylated Vanillyl Alcohol as Bio-based, Low Viscosity Comonomer”, Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, 2017, DOI: 10.1002/mame.201700278.
5. Y. Zhang, Y. Li, L. Wang, Z. Gao, M. R. Kessler, “Synthesis and Characterization of Methacrylated Eugenol as a Sustainable Reactive Diluent for a Maleinated Acrylated Epoxidized Soybean Oil Resin”, ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 2017, 5(10), 8876-8883.
6. Y. Li, Y. Zhang, O. Rios, J. K. Keum, M. R. Kessler, “Photo-responsive Liquid Crystalline Epoxy Networks with Exchangeable Disulfide Bonds”, RSC Advances, 2017,7, 37248-37254.
7. Y. Li, Y. Zhang, O. Rios, J. K. Keum, M. R. Kessler, “Liquid Crystalline Epoxy Networks with Exchangeable Disulfide Bonds”, Soft Matter, 2017, 13, 5021-5027.
8. VK. Thakur, Y. Li, H. Wu, M. R. Kessler, “Synthesis, characterization, and functionalization of zirconium tungstate (ZrW2O8) nano-rods for advanced polymer nanocomposites”, Polymers for Advanced Technologies, 2017, 28, 1375-1381.
9. B. Wang, F. Lu, F. Xu, Y. Li, M. R. Kessler, “Synthesis of renewable isosorbide-based monomer and preparation of the corresponding thermosets”, Chinese Chemical Letters, 2016, 27(6), 875-878.
10. Y. Li, O. Rios, J. K. Keum, J. Chen, M. R. Kessler, “Photoresponsive Liquid Crystalline Epoxy Networks with Shape Memory Behavior and Dynamic Ester Bonds”, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2016, 8(24), 15750-15757.
11. B. Wang, K. Mireles, M. Rock, Y. Li, VK. Thakur, D. Gao, M. R. Kessler, “Synthesis and Preparation of Bio-Based ROMP Thermosets from Functionalized Renewable Isosorbide Derivative”, Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics, 2016, 217(7), 871-879.
12. Y. Li, C. Pruitt, O. Rios, L. Wei, M. Rock, J. K. Keum, A. G. McDonald, M. R. Kessler, “Controlled Shape Memory Behavior of a Smectic Main-chain Liquid Crystalline Elastomer”, Macromolecules, 2015, 48(9), 2864-2874. (Featured on front cover of Volume 48, Issue 9)
13. Y. Li, O. Rios, M. R. Kessler, “Thermomagnetic Processing of Liquid Crystalline Epoxy Resins and Their Mechanical Characterization using Nanoindentation”, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2014, 6(21), 19456-19464.
14. C. Zhang, Y. Li, R. Chen, M. R. Kessler, “Polyurethanes from Solvent-Free Vegetable Oil Based Polyols”, ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 2014, 2(10), 2465-2476.
15. Y. Li, M. R. Kessler, “Creep-resistant Behavior of Self-reinforcing Liquid Crystalline Epoxy Resins”, Polymer, 2014, 8(10), 2021-2027.
16. Y. Li, M. R. Kessler, “Cure Kinetics of Liquid Crystalline Epoxy Resins Based on Biphenyl Mesogen”, Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 2014, 117(1), 481-488.
17. Y. Li, M. R. Kessler, “Liquid Crystalline Epoxy Resin Based on Biphenyl Mesogen: Effect of Magnetic Field Orientation during Cure”, Polymer, 2013, 54(21), 5741-5746.
18. Y. Li, P. Badrinarayana, M. R. Kessler, “Liquid Crystalline Epoxy Resin Based on Biphenyl Mesogen: Thermal Characterization”, Polymer, 2013, 54(12), 3017-3025.
BOOK CHAPTERS
1. Y. Li, M. R. Kessler: “Liquid crystalline epoxy resins” in Liquid Crystalline Polymers: Volume 1 – Structure and Chemistry, V. Kumar, M. R. Kessler, eds., Springer, 2016, 1-17 (ISBN 978-3-31922893-8) (DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-22894-5_1).
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS & INVITED SEMINAR PRESENTATIONS
1. Y. Li, M. R. Kessler, “Photo-responsive Liquid Crystalline Epoxy Networks with Shape Memory Behavior and Dynamic Ester Bonds” Mach Conference 2017, April 05, 2017, Annapolis, MD.
2. M. R. Kessler, Y. Li, “Multi-functional liquid crystalline epoxy networks” 2016 International Confederation for Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry Congress (ICTAC 2016), August 14-19, 2016, Orlando, FL.
3. Y. Li, “Photo-responsive Liquid Crystalline Epoxy Networks with Shape Memory Behavior and Dynamic Ester Bonds” Washington State University, Materials Science and Engineering Program Colloquia, March 11, 2016, Pullman, WA.
4. M. R. Kessler, Y. Li, “Multi-functional Liquid Crystalline Epoxy Networks” Golden Gate Polymer Forum Dinner Lecture, January 19, 2016, Mountain View, CA.
5. Y. Li, M. R. Kessler, “Nano-Zirconium Tungstate Reinforced Liquid Crystalline Thermosetting Composites with Near Zero Thermal Expansion”, Air Force Office of Scientific Research Low Density Materials Program Review, May. 6, 2015, Arlington, VA.
6. Y. Li, M. R. Kessler, “Thermal analysis and structure characterization of liquid crystalline epoxy resins cured in a magnetic field”, Proceedings of the North American Thermal Analysis Society Annual Conference (NATAS 2013), Aug. 4-7, 2013, Bowling Green, KY.
7. Y. Li, M. R. Kessler, P. Badrinarayanan, “Thermal characterization of liquid crystalline epoxy resins”, Proceedings of the North American Thermal Analysis Society Annual Conference (NATAS 2011), Aug. 7-10, 2011, Des Moines, IA.
EDITORIALSHIP
1. Polymers (Editorial board member, 2017-present)
2. Henry Journal of Nanoscience, Nanomedicine & Nanobiology (Editorial board member, 2016-present)
3. Gavin Journal Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology (Editorial board member, 2016-present)
REVIEWER EXPERIENCE
1. ACS Macro Letters (1 manuscript)
2. Advanced Materials (1 manuscript)
3. Carbohydrate Polymers (1 manuscript)
4. Cogent Chemistry (1 manuscript)
5. Engineering Structures and Technologies (1 manuscript)
6. Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology (2 manuscripts)
7. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (1 manuscript)
8. Journal of Applied Polymer Science (12 manuscripts)
9. Journal of Biobased Materials and Bioenergy (1 manuscript)
10. Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society (2 manuscripts)
11. Journal of Physical Chemistry (1 manuscript)
12. Journal of Polymer Science Part B Polymer Physics (2 manuscripts)
13. Journal of Nanomaterials (1 manuscript)
14. Materials Express (11 manuscripts)
15. PLOS ONE (3 manuscripts)
16. Polymer (2 manuscripts)
17. Progress in Organic Coatings (3 manuscripts)
18. U.S. Army Research Office (1 proposal)
19. Vacuum (5 manuscripts)
PRESS RELEASES & MEDIA FEATURES
1. R&D Magazine, “Thermomagnetic processing method provides path to new materials,” Nov. 7, 2014.
2. Cosmetics Business, “Morphing plastic remembers shape” July. 12, 2015.
3. EurekAlert! U.S. Department of Energy Science News, “Shape-shifting plastic” May. 20, 2015.
4. Materials Today, “New smart material shows off its abilities” July. 07, 2016.
5. Popular Science, “Watch This Material Assemble and Disassemble Itself” June. 30, 2016.
