Education

Research Description

Dr. Liu leads an energy conversion, storage, and management research group focusing on developing computational and experimental tools for understanding nanoscale thermal transport, probing new transport phenomena in micro/nano-scale structures, and applying the results to design thermal management and energy conversion/storage systems with nano-engineered functional materials. He is currently working on (1) developing ultrafast laser-based pump-probe system for characterizing thermal and elastic properties of materials (e.g. TDTR, TRMOKE, Raman); (2) developing numerical simulation tools for understanding energy transport mechanisms in soft matters and hybrid materials (e.g. moledular dynamics, density functional theory, lattice dynamics); (3) establishing novel functional thermal materials, especially soft materials and hybrid materials. Those materials serve as elementary building blocks for thermal management and energy conversion/storage devices and systems with enhanced performance.

Publications

Role of angular bending freedom in regulating thermal transport in polymers

Subramanyan, H., Zhang, W., He, J., Kim, K., Li, X., & Liu, J. (2019), JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS, 125(9). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5086176

Role of radiation in heat transfer from nanoparticles to gas media in photothermal measurements

Li, Y., Zhou, J., Li, B., & Liu, J. (2019), INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MODERN PHYSICS C, 30(4). https://doi.org/10.1142/S0129183119500244

Strain effects on the anisotropic thermal transport in crystalline polyethylene

He, J. X., Kim, K., Wang, Y. C., & Liu, J. (2018), Applied Physics Letters, 112(5). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5010986

Analytical and numerical investigation on a new compact thermoelectric generator

Ming, T. Z., Yang, W., Huang, X. M., Wu, Y. J., Li, X. H., & Liu, J. (2017), Energy Conversion and Management, 132, 261–271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2016.11.043

Solution-processed Cu2Se nanocrystal films with bulk-like thermoelectric performance

Forster, J. D., Lynch, J. J., Coates, N. E., Liu, J., Jang, H. J., Zaia, E., … Urban, J. J. (2017), Scientific Reports, 7. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-02944-1

Thermoelectric transport in hybrid materials incorporating metallic nanowires in polymer matrix

Liu, B., Lu, T. Y., Wang, B., Liu, J., Nakayama, T., Zhou, J., & Li, B. W. (2017), Applied Physics Letters, 110(11). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4978602

Anisotropic thermal transport in thermoelectric composites of conjugated polyelectrolytes/single-walled carbon nanotubes

Mai, C. K., Liu, J., Evans, C. M., Segalman, R. A., Chabinyc, M. L., Gahill, D. G., & Bazan, G. C. (2016), Macromolecules, 49(13), 4957–4963. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.6b00546

Electrochemical effects in thermoelectric polymers

Chang W., F. H., Liu J., E. C., Russ B., P. B., Patel S., C. M., & R., S. (2016), ACS Macro Letters, 5, 455–459.

Electrochemical effects in thermoelectric polymers

Chang, W. B., Fang, H. Y., Liu, J., Evans, C. M., Russ, B., Popere, B. C., … Segalman, R. A. (2016), ACS Macro Letters, 5(4), 455–459. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmacrolett.6b00054

Harvesting waste heat in unipolar ion conducting polymers

Chang, W. B., Evans, C. M., Popere, B. C., Russ, B. M., Liu, J., Newman, J., & Segalman, R. A. (2016), ACS Macro Letters, 5(1), 94–98. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmacrolett.5b00829

View all publications via NC State Libraries

Grants

Travel Support for Student Participation at the 2019 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (ASME-IMECE) Society-wide Micro and Nano Technology Forum

National Science Foundation (NSF)(11/01/19 - 4/30/20)

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Travel Support for Student Participation at the 2019 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (ASME-IMECE) Society-wide Micro and Nano Technology Forum

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

Start Date: 11/01/19

End Date: 4/30/20

Abstract

Part of the mission of the NSF, and in particular the Engineering Directorate, is to attract young talented researchers and to mentor them for a career in science and engineering. In the spirit of this mission, this proposal seeks NSF travel funding for 43 students and postdocs to attend the 2019 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE) in Salt Lake City, UT so they can present their research at the society-wide micro-nano poster forum. The ASME Society-Wide Micro and Nano Technology Forum (Topic 17-15) focuses on new developments in the field of micro and nanoengineering and sciences. As co-chairs of this productive gathering, we value the chance to support these upcoming researchers as they showcase their scientific accomplishments, interact with their peers and extend their network within the broader academic community. This support will create future career opportunities for students and postdoctoral researchers such as faculty and researcher appointments and positions within industry. Priority will be given to student participants who are women or who come from underrepresented groups, and to undergraduate students, so as to promote diverse participation at the ASME conference, in the short term, and in STEM fields, more long term.

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Fundamental Studies on the Thermal Spin-Transfer-Torque: Towards the Next Generation Nonvolatile Memory for Space Exploration

NCSU NC Space Grant Consortium(7/01/18 - 5/31/19)

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Fundamental Studies on the Thermal Spin-Transfer-Torque: Towards the Next Generation Nonvolatile Memory for Space Exploration

Sponsor: NCSU NC Space Grant Consortium

Start Date: 7/01/18

End Date: 5/31/19

Abstract

The space exploration capability, especially for imaging missions, greatly depends on the performance of onboard memory system. The next-generation memory chip for space missions requires larger data capacity and higher data density with lower power consumption and shorter access time. One promising candidate is the spin-transfer-torque (STT) based spintronic memory device. The objective of this program is to: (1) experimentally study the mechanism of the novel thermal-induced STT and demonstrate the ability to locally manipulate a memory bit; (2) train undergraduate and graduate students with the fundamental knowledge and technical skills in this area; and (3) collect preliminary experimental data for NASA fellowship and grants.

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