Why did you decide on UD? With the significant investment the University has made in energy and environmental research, it is an exciting time to join UD.

Hometown: Jilin, China

Major areas of research/scholarship: Materials for energy, the environment and microelectronics

One of your biggest (academic) accomplishments: Seeing some of my inventions moving forward with commercial development, such as thin films of zeolite, a porous crystal that remains rigid in the presence of water, as a cheaper, environmentally safer coating for corrosion-proofing aluminum alloys used in commercial aircraft.

Current projects: Development of new catalysts and membranes to reduce the cost and improve the durability of fuel cells.

Greatest inspiration: Unique, simple and outside-the-box solutions to society-impacting energy and environmental problems.

What else should we know about you? I enjoy a daily long and quiet walk.