Mass transport at the sub-nanometre scale, including selective transport of gases, liquids and ions, plays a key role in systems such as catalysis, energy generation and storage, chemical sensing and molecular separation. Highly efficient biological channels in living organisms have inspired the design of artificial channels with similar, or even higher, mass transport efficiency, which can be used at a much larger scale.

In this seminar, I will introduce synthetic-nanomaterials-enabled channels in the platforms of well-defined nanopores, 1D nanotubes and 2D nanochannels, and discuss their channel architecture design and membrane or device fabrication, leveraging interdisciplinary principles that combine Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, and Chemical Engineering. The lecture will also delve into fundamental mechanisms of sub-nanometer confined mass transport and their relationships with the structure–property–performance. Practical aspects of these channels will be presented, including my own research findings, with a specific focus on 2D nanochannels and their applications in separation membranes. Lastly, the lecture will offer perspectives on the promising potential of these artificial channels in advancing next-generation sustainable technologies across a broad range of fields, including energy, environment, and healthcare.

Bio

Dr. Jie Shen has been a postdoctoral researcher at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) since 2018. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at Nanjing Tech University from 2013 to 2018 and was a visiting researcher in Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley from 2017 to 2018. His current research focuses on 2D materials and nanoporous membranes for energy-efficient separation, clean water production, carbon capture, and renewable energy. He is the recipient of the 2023 North American Membrane Society (NAMS) Young Membrane Scientist Award and the 2023 European Membrane Society (EMS) Conference Fee Award for Young Academics.He has been recognized as one of the Global Top 2% Most-Cited Scientists by Stanford University and Elsevier (2023 & 2022). Jie serves as a youth editorial member for journals such as The Innovation, Nano Research Energy, and Sustainable Horizons.