Boxin Zhao

Boxin Zhao is a Chemical Engineering Associate Professor and a member of the Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology at the University of Waterloo.

His research focuses on biomimicry, which involves biological systems such as lotus leaves, gecko adhesive pads, mussel adhesive plaque and biofilms. Professor Zhao is particularly interested in the adhesion phenomena at the micro and nano scale and the implication that this has on chemical, mechanical and biomedical applications.

Effective adhesion between similar or dissimilar material components has become one of the most critical prerequisites for advanced manufacturing at ever-smaller scales. As a result, Professor Zhao is concentrating on the optimization of polymer characteristics. Due to its long-chain structure, allowing it to absorb a large amount of mechanical energy, polymers can be readily filled with components such as nanoparticles and nanowires.

Professor Zhao is currently leading a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Strategic Project. The project aims to develop a robust polymer that sticks to nearly any surface. The material actually conducts and transfers electrical current, unlike conventional glues and plastics that generally insulate. The polymer will highly benefit the electronics manufacturing industry, as it has the potential to eliminate the use of the toxic metal solder that is currently used in electronic devices.

Professor Zhao is also studying reversible adhesive properties of gecko footpads. He has conducted theoretical and experimental investigation into the adhesion and friction forces that characterize the gecko’s foot hairs and developed a Johnson-Kendall-Roberts friction model to interpret the dynamic behaviour. This biomimetic research has applications in biomedicine as the adhesive can be used as an alternative to stitches, as well as a reconstructive material to reduce scarring when treating burn and cancer patients.

• Surface Science and Bionanomaterials
• Adhesives and Coatings
• Biomimetic Micro- and Nano- Fabrication
• Nanotechnology
• Biomechanics
• Biolubrication
• Polymer Science
• Hydrogels
• Interfacial Phenomena
• Colloids and Porous Media
• Micro- and Nano- Tribology
• Bionanomaterials
• Soft Interfaces
• Biomimetic Adhesion
• Bio-integrated Devices
• Nanoparticles Synthesis
• Interfacial Materials Engineering
• Biomimicry
• Biomimetic Materials and Devices
• Multifunctional Polymers and Nanocomposites
• Biopolymer and Healthcare Materials
• Advanced Coating and Adhesive Bonding Technology
• Additive Manufacturing
• Nanotechnology

• 2004, Doctorate, Chemical Engineering, McMaster University
• 1999, Master's, Institute of Chemical Metallurgy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing
• 1996, Bachelor's, Mineral Engineering, Central South University

• 2008 - Present, Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo

• 2007-2008, IMMS (the Institute for Multiscale Materials Studies) Research Fellow, an Honorary Position held Jointly at University of California at Santa Barbara and the Los Alamos National Research Laboratory

• 2005 - 2008, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Materials Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California at Santa Barbara, USA

• 2005-2007, NSERC (National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada) Postdoctoral Fellowship, Canada

• 2005, Visiting Scientist, Australia Pulp and Paper Institute, Monash University, Australia

• 2004 - 2005, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Chemical Engineering, Pulp and Paper Research Center, McMaster University, Canada

• 2001 - 2003, Clifton W. Sherman Graduate Scholarship for Doctoral Study in Science and Engineering, McMaster University, Canada

• 1999, Masters Thesis Award for Best Dissertations, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

• 1996, IET (International Engineering Technology Inc., USA) Scholarship (20 out of 10000), Central South University of Technology, China

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