Professor Aiping Yu honoured by the Royal Society of Canada
Professor Aiping Yu was recently inducted as a new member of the 2023 class of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) College. The RSC acknowledges individuals who have demonstrated outstanding academic, research, or artistic achievements. The RSC identifies and honours such leaders whose work creates a better future in Canada and globally. It also provides guidance to the government and encourages a culture of knowledge and innovation in collaboration with other national academies worldwide.
Yu was recognized for her significant contributions to groundbreaking research in the field of Chemical Engineering. Yu has expertise in working with nanomaterials such as graphene, MXene, MOF and more.
“It’s an honour to be recognized for my contributions to research in my field,” says Yu.
In recent years Yu has also focused on developing a new 2D material called MXene. Yu, Director of the Applied Carbon Nanotechnology Laboratory, discovered that modified Mxene has improved surface area and electrical and thermal conductivity for battery applications in energy storage systems.
Working with this advanced material also impacts Yu’s research in polymer composites. The increased electric connectivity leads to significant improvement in the properties of polymer components in terms of electrical activity as well as thermal conductivity. Mxene also has applications in EMI shielding and the new method to produce it makes it less expensive than graphene, and more cost-effective for industry.
Her research aligns succinctly with the RSC criteria of creating a better future in Canada and globally. Yu’s work with graphene and Mxene will have a huge impact on the plastic industry by potentially helping plastic manufacturers enhance the properties of polymers to better satisfy the demand for improved plastic consumer products.
Yu anticipates increased industrial collaboration as an impact of this novel research. She was honoured in 2022 with the Rutherford Medal in Chemistry by the RSC and is also a University Research Chair.
The RSC Celebration of Excellence and Engagement Conference will be held at the University of Waterloo in November when the official induction ceremonies will take place.