Join Prof. Ning Yan’s Lab at the University of Toronto. We’re seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to work on developing functional bio-based polymers. This 1-year appointment can be extended. Start immediately.
Requirements:
Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field
Strong background in polymer chemistry and materials characterization
Experience in biopolymer/material synthesis and modification, polymer/composite processing, and material characterization is highly desirable
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
To apply, please email your CV and research statement to Prof. Ning Yan at ning.yan@utoronto.ca. Please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
A new article out of a collaboration between Dr. Ning Yan and Dr. Jing Chen’s labs has been published in Small written by Xiaozhen Ma, Xiaolin Wang, Honglong Zhao, Xiaobo Xu, Minghui Cui, Nathan E. Stott, Peng Chen, Jin Zhu, Ning Yan, and Jing Chen.
In this work, high-performance, light-stimulation healable, and closed-loop recyclable covalent adaptable networks are successfully synthesized from natural lignin-based polyurethane (LPU) Zn2+ coordination structures (LPUxZy). Using an optimized LPU (LPU-20 with a tensile strength of 28.4 ± 3.5 MPa) as the matrix for Zn2+ coordination, LPUs with covalent adaptable coordination networks are obtained that have different amounts of Zn. When the feed amount of ZnCl2 is 9 wt%, the strength of LPU-20Z9 reaches 37.3 ± 3.1 MPa with a toughness of 175.4 ± 4.6 MJ m−3, which is 1.7 times of that of LPU-20. In addition, Zn2+ has a crucial catalytic effect on “dissociation mechanism” in the exchange reaction of LPU. Moreover, the Zn2+-based coordination bonds significantly enhance the photothermal conversion capability of lignin. The maximum surface temperature of LPU-20Z9 reaches 118 °C under the near-infrared illumination of 0.8 W m−2. This allows the LPU-20Z9 to self-heal within 10 min. Due to the catalytic effect of Zn2+, LPU-20Z9 can be degraded and recovered in ethanol completely. Through the investigation of the mechanisms for exchange reaction and the design of the closed-loop recycling method, this work is expected to provide insight into the development of novel LPUs with high-performance, light-stimulated heal ability, and closed-loop recyclability; which can be applied toward the expanded development of intelligent elastomers.
Congratulations Prof. Ning Yan on being elected a new Fellow for 2023!
The Canadian Academy of Engineering is the national institution through which individuals, who have made outstanding contributions to engineering in Canada, provide strategic advice on matters of critical importance to Canada and to Canadians. The CAE is an independent, self-governing, and non-profit organization established in 1987. Fellows of the CAE are nominated and elected by their peers, in view of their distinguished achievements and career-long service. Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Engineering are committed to ensuring that Canada’s engineering expertise and experience are applied to the benefit of all Canadians.
The Canadian Academy of Engineering works in close cooperation with other senior academies in Canada and internationally. The CAE is a founding member of the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA), and a member of the International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences (CAETS), which includes 31 national engineering academies around the world. The CAE is also a member of the Partnership Group for Science and Engineering (PAGSE), an association of more than 20 Canadian organizations in science and engineering, whose mandate is to educate and inform federal Parliamentarians, decision makers and other leaders of the importance and significance of Canadian research and innovation to economic development, and society as a whole.
“The election of these exceptional faculty and alumni to the Academy is an important recognition of their impact as engineering innovators, educators and leaders, both nationally and globally,” says U of T Engineering Dean Christopher Yip. “On behalf of the Faculty, congratulations to all our new CAE fellows.”
Yan Lab 