Title: Liquid crystals of colloidal nanoplates

Speaker: Prof. Zhengdong Cheng (Dept. Chem. Eng. in Texas A&M University, USA)

Time: 13:00 – 13:45 ,Wednesday, Dec. 27th, 2017

Venue: Rm E209, Education building, GTIIT

Abstract: Colloidal anisotropic platelets are model systems for discotic liquid crystal investigation. We have systematically studied the ZrP monolayers due to the capability to control the size and surface chemistry. I will discuss our recent research on liquid crystal phase dynamics in colloidal discotic suspensions, particularly the controlled self-assembly under external fields, such as electric and magnetic field and temperature gradient. 

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Zhengdong Cheng received his Ph.D. in Physics from Princeton University, USA in 1999, M.S. from Institute of High Energy Physics (Beijing) in 1993, and B.S. from University of Science and Technology of China in 1990. He is a Professor in Chemical Engineering Department at Texas A&M University (TAMU) leading a group research into complex fluids and soft matter.  He focuses on the self-organization of intelligent colloids and anisotropic particles, the fabrication of photonic crystals and integrated photonic circuits, solar hydrogen production via water splitting, and the application of microfluidics to nano-encapsulation. The techniques developed are applicable to the modeling of phase transitions and liquid crystal materials, the engineering of nanocomposites and semiconductors of light, solar energy harvesting, and a wide range of therapeutic treatments. Dr. Cheng has authored and co-authored more than 100 textbooks, books, book chapters, and peer-reviewed journal articles. He has chaired and organized professional conferences, such as American Institute of Chemical Engineering national meetings, American Physics Society meetings, and the China Soft Matter Day Symposium. Dr. Cheng is the Associate Editor of the American Society of Gravity and Space Research Journal. He was awarded the William Keeler Memorial Award by the Dwight Look College of Engineering, TAMU in February 2015. In addition, he directed and participated in projects supported by the National Science Foundation, NASA, American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Funds, industrial, and TAMU as principal investigator (PI), co-PI, and senior personnel. During his 13-years at TAMU, he has taught more than 1000 students and trained more than 20 undergraduate students and over 20 graduate students to conduct leading-edge research. He served as proposal reviewer for DOE, NSF, and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).