Current students

Abstract

The past decade has witnessed the tremendous power of systems and synthetic biology in the creation of genetic parts, devices, and systems, which helps understand complex biological systems.  However, its potential for real-world applications has not been fully exploited. One of its promising applications is the construction of programmable cells that integrate multiple environmental signals and implement synthetic control over biological processes. My research interests are focused on developing microbes and microbiota that can process multiple input signals and generate user-defined outputs. Specifically, I aim to build genetic programs to control various bacterial processes such as gene expression, chemical reactions, and evolution. I will present published and unpublished results of my selected research projects by discussing the potential and challenges of systems and synthetic biology to address global problems, including plastic and agricultural waste issues, non-invasive diagnostics and disease treatment using smart probiotics and microbiota engineering, sustainable bioproduction, and biocontainment of genetically engineered microbes.

Biomass plays a key role in capturing and storing solar energy on Earth. It is estimated that up to 8,500 exjoules (×10¹⁸ joules) of solar energy are captured and stored globally each year through biomass, which is about 10-15 times the current global energy consumption (580 exajoules). This presentation provides an overview of the availability of biomass and organic solid waste resources globally, as well as in Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, and introduces hydrothermal technologies and their applications in the transformation of biomass and organic solid waste. During these transformations, water is used as a reaction medium, solvent, reactant, or catalyst. Hydrothermal technology is especially suitable for the resource utilization of high-moisture biomass and biowaste (such as food waste, sewage sludge, manure slurry, microalgae, etc.), as it eliminates the costly dehydration/drying process (which is essential for other thermochemical processes like combustion, pyrolysis, and gasification). This presentation summarizes Professor Xu's team's past research achievements in various hydrothermal technology development, including methanol aqueous phase reforming (APR) for hydrogen production, biomass hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) to produce water-charcoal, hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass waste (HTL) to produce biocrude oil, and supercritical water gasification (SCWG) of aqueous biomass (sugars) to produce green hydrogen. Professor Xu will also share his experience in scaling HTL technology to 6 kg/h and 100 kg/h, as well as ongoing commercialization efforts, including building pilot units with a daily throughput of 10 tons and demonstration units with a daily throughput of 100 tons.

Microfluidic - Assisted Engineering of Structured Liquid-State Soft Materials and Hierarchical Cryogel Architectures

Effects of Metal Ion Exposure on Cell Behaviour

Abstract

This seminar will introduce CirkArena, and the role of global research engagement in advancing circular economy innovation. Drawing on MMV and CirkArena’s work in circular economy, waste valorization, sustainable materials and advanced production systems, Madeline Leahy will discuss how international partnerships among researchers, universities, research organizations, and industry can help translate ideas into collaborative projects with practical impact.  The seminar will highlight strategies for building trusted partnerships, expanding research networks and connecting technical innovation wit global sustainability goals.

Thesis Proposal Title: Surface Engineered Delignified Porous Wood as a Tunable Platform  for Wastewater Treatment

Biomimetic Hydrogels: Design Strategies and Transformative Applications in Biomedicine

Abstract
Driven by the growing need for clean and sustainable energy sources, a number of carbon-neutral energy conversion technologies have been extensively explored over recent years, which include photo- and electrocatalytic water-splitting systems, fuel cells, and metal ion batteries. In particular, water electrolysis, consisting of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), is considered a promising and efficient way to produce a clean energy carrier, hydrogen, to meet such energy demands. Green hydrogen produced by renewable-energy-powered water electrolysis could help resolve the energy crisis and cut our carbon footprint at the same time.

Abstract: Dehumidification accounts for a substantial fraction of energy use and associated emissions in air‑conditioning systems, representing roughly 53% of energy‑related air conditioning emissions on a global average. Vapor-selective membranes, which preferentially transport water molecules while blocking the transport of other gases, have emerged as a promising alternative technology for the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry, even being ranked as a top alternative technology by the US Department of Energy. Over the past 20 years, the field has seen a significant amount of research interest in the development of high-performance membrane materials and synthesis procedures. However, translation of these materials advances into practical HVAC systems has largely relied on idealized thermodynamic system models, with a notable lack in experimental demonstration. As a result, a disconnect persists between membrane material development, component-level limitations, and realistic system and process design. This seminar presents our ongoing work aimed at bridging this gap by explicitly linking real membrane properties to component sizing, operating constraints, and system‑level efficiency. The broader goal of this research is to establish a holistic framework that integrates materials, components, and system design to clarify tradeoffs, define benchmark performance targets, and guide future research and development towards the broader adoption of high-efficiency, membrane-based HVAC technologies.

Porous media form the backbone of electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies, governing transport, reaction access, and overall efficiency in redox flow batteries, electrolyzers, and fuel cells. Despite their central role, most porous electrodes and transport layers have changed little over decades, relying on randomized architectures that constrain performance, durability, and cost. Dr. van der Heijden’s research group reimagines porous media as engineered components, structures that can be deliberately designed rather than inherited. By integrating pore‑scale modeling, operando imaging, computational optimization, and advanced manufacturing, the group uncovers fundamental structure–performance relationships and develops new architectures that reduce transport losses. This talk highlights how tailored porous microstructures can enable more efficient, robust, and scalable electrochemical devices.