Professor at East China University of Science and Technology, China
Siyao Li is a distinguished chemical engineer with a focus on membrane technology, materials science, and liquid/gas separations. Holding a PhD from Imperial College London (2022) under the mentorship of Andrew Livingston and Suzana P. Nunes, he is currently an Associate Professor at East China University of Science and Technology. His research spans ultrathin polyamide membranes, polymeric materials for separation processes, and the development of sustainable technologies for environmental and industrial applications. His work has been published in top journals such as Science and Nature. 🌱🧪
Publication Profile :
Scopus
Orcid
Educational Background 🎓
🎓 PhD in Chemical Engineering | Imperial College London, UK (2018-2022)
Advisor: Prof. Andrew Livingston | Mentor: Prof. Suzana P. Nunes
Project: Investigation of Ultrathin Polyamide Nanofilms Incorporating Novel Amines for Liquid Separations
🎓 MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering | Imperial College London, UK (2017-2018)
Advisor: Prof. Bradley Ladewig
Project: Covalent Organic Frameworks as Low-Energy CO2 Adsorbents for Mixed Matrix Membranes
🎓 BEng in Chemical Engineering and Technology | Tianjin University, China (2013-2017)
GPA: 3.82/4 | Ranking: Top 4%
Professional Experience 💼
🔬 East China University of Science and Technology — Professor (2024-Present)
🔬 East China University of Science and Technology — Associate Professor (2023-2024)
🔬 Exponent Science and Technology Consulting Co. Ltd — Associate (2022-2023)
🧑🏫 Imperial College London — Teaching Assistant (2019-2021)
💼 Exxon Mobil Corporation — Summer Intern (2017)
💨 Vestas Wind Systems A/S — Intern (2017)
Research Interests 🔬
🔬 Polymeric Membranes for Separations: Development of hydrophobic polyamide membranes for crude oil separation and novel molecular sieving techniques.
💡 Nanotechnology & Material Science: Synthesis of advanced materials like covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and integration into mixed matrix membranes for enhanced gas and liquid separations.
🌍 Sustainable Separation Technologies: Focus on low-energy, high-efficiency methods for CO2 capture and energy-efficient separation processes.
Awards & Honors 🏆
🏆 Full PhD Scholarship (2018-2022) | Excellent Graduate of Imperial College London (2017) | Excellent Student Awards (Top 5%) for 3 years (2014-2016)
Publications 📚
- S. Li, R. Dong, V. E. Musteata, J. Kim, N. D. Rangnekar, J. R. Johnson, S. Chisca, B. A. McCool, S. P. Nunes, Z. Jiang*, A. G. Livingston*, “Hydrophobic Polyamide Nanofilms Provide Rapid Transport for Crude Oil Separation,” Science, 2022, 377, 1555-1561.
- S. Li, N. Prasetya, B. Ladewig*, “Investigation of Azo-COP-2 as a Photoresponsive Low-Energy CO2 Adsorbent and Porous Filler in Mixed Matrix Membranes for CO2/N2 Separation,” Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 2019, 58(23), 9959-9969.
- Z. Jiang, R. Dong, A. M. Evans, N. Biere, M. A. Ebrahim, S. Li, D. Anselmetti, W. R. Dichtel, A. G. Livingston*, “Aligned Macrocycle Pores in Ultrathin Films for Accurate Molecular Sieving,” Nature, 2022, 609, 58-64.
- W. Xu, Y. Wang*, Y. Wu, F. Xu, K. Qu, L. Dai, J. Wang, J. Wu, L. Lei, S. Li, Z. Xu*, “Sub-2-nm Channels within Covalent Triazine Framework Enable Fast Proton-Selective Transport in Flow Battery Membrane,” Adv. Func. Mater., 2023, 2300138.
- L. Dai, S. Pang, S. Li, Z. Yi, K. Qu, Y. Wang, Y. Wu, S. Li, L. Lei, K. Huang, X. Guo, Z. Xu*, “Freestanding Two-Dimensional Nanofluidic Membranes Modulated by Zwitterionic Polyelectrolyte for Mono-/Di-Valent Ion Selectivity Transport,” J. Membr. Sci., 2023, 677: 121321.