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Past Members

Get to know the individuals who have been members of the Lei Zhu Group at Case School of Engineering in the past, as well as their respective research focuses and employment.

PhD Students 

  • Dr. Lu Sun, Synthesis and Self-Assembly of Biodegradable Polylactide Containing Block Copolymers, 11/2002 – 04/2007, currently ConocoPhillips/Lubrizol Specialty Product, Inc., Oklahoma
  • Dr. Jianjun Miao, Supramolecular Self-Assembly of Discotic Liquid Crystalline Supermolecules, 11/2003 – 08/2009, currently Specialty Materials, New Jersey
  • Dr. Fangxiao Guan, Confined Ferroelectric Properties in Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-Based Random Copolymers and Graft Copolymers for Electric Energy Storage Applications, 11/2006 – 08/2010, currently Align Technology, San Jose, CA
  • Dr. Weiqiang Cao, Synthesis of Amphiphilic Biodegradable Dendrimer-Like Star Polymers for Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy, 11/2006 – 08/2011, currently Momentive Performance Materials Shanghai, China
  • Dr. Lianyun Yang, Novel Ferroelectric Behavior in Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene)-Based Random Copolymers, 08/09-04/15, currently Tremco, Inc., Beachwood, OH
  • Dr. Saide Tang, Self-Assembly of Polymer Brush-Grafted Silica Nanoparticles, 08/10-12/15, currently Colgate Palmolive Research Center, Piscataway, NJ
  • Dr. Imre Treufeld, I. Polymer Films for High Temperature Capacitor Applications; II. Differential Electrochemical Mass Spectrometer, 10/12-08/16, currently Academic training
  • Dr. Guoqiang Zhang, The Synthesis and Electrical Properties of Functional Polymer Nanocomposites, 05/12-08/17, currently Laird Technologies, Inc., Cleveland, OH
  • Dr. Zhongbo Zhang, Understanding Ferroelectricity in Nylon Homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers, 01/13-03/19, currently Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL
  • Dr. Xinyue Chen, Understanding Loss Mechanisms and Enhancing Dielectric Properties of Multilayer Polymer Films for Capacitor Applications, 08/15-05/20, currently Applied Materials, Sunnyvale, CA. 
  • Dr. Guanchun Rui, Electrostriction-Enhanced Piezoelectricity in Ferroelectric Polymers, 08/18-05/23, currently Arkema, The Pennsylvania State University, PA.
  • Dr. Tianxiong Ju, Enhancing Dielectric Properties of Multilayer Polymer Films for Next-generation Capacitor Applications, 08/17-08/23, currently Product Safety Engineer II, CFA group, Cleveland, OH.
  • Dr. Qiong Li, Crystalline Structure-Dielectric and Ferroelectric Properties of Barium Titanate Nanocrystals using the Polymer Nanocomposite Approach, 08/15-11/23, currently Elucida Oncology, Inc., Monmouth Junction, NJ.

MS Students

  • Yuxiu Liu, Organic/Inorganic Composite Materials for High Temperature PEM Fuel Cells, 08/02 – 08/05, currently works at Univ. of Rochester/GM Electrochemical Energy Research Lab.
  • Brian Elolampi, Design, Fabrication and Analysis of a Planarized Micro Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell, 08/04 – 03/06, currently works as an Sr. Process Development Engineer at MC10.
  • Qingmeng Tang, Polymer/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites for Multilayer Coextrusion, 01/12-12/13
  • Nasly Jimenez, Multilayered Polymer Actuators, 10/12-02/14
  • Michelle Song, Multilayer Dielectric Films, 01/14-12/14
  • Jung-Kai Tseng, Enhanced Dielectric Properties of Multilayer Capacitor Films via Interfacial Polarization, 08/09-12/15
  • Peng Peng, Preparation and Characterization of Polymer/Ferroelectric Ceramic Particle Composites for Electroactive Actuation, 01/14-10/15
  • Minghuan Wang, Structure-Electric Property Relationship in Nylon-12 or Nylon-11 Based PEBAX for Electroactive Applications, 09/16-10/18
  • Lingyu Yang, In-situ Synthesis of Well-defined Silver Nanoparticles in Water Soluble Polymer Matrix, 09/17-05/19
  • Yichun Yuan, Optimized Synthesis of SO2-PIM for Potential Applications in Flexible Electronic Devices, 09/17-05/19
  • Haoyang Qi, Piezoelectric Elastomers, 09/18-09/20
  • Michael Chen, Dielectric Properties of BOPEN films, 08/21-08/22
  • Jiazhen Liu, Study on Dielectric Insulation Properties of Biaxially Oriented Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Films, 08/22-08/23

Visiting Scholars, Visiting Students and Postdocs

  • Prof. Qiaolong Yuan (East China University of Science and Technology), Wheat Gluten/Natural Clay Nanocomposites, 03/04 - 8/04
  • Prof. Xiuling Zhu (Dalian University of Science and Technology), 1) Organic/Inorganic Composite PEM Fuel Cells and 2) Planarized Micro Fuel Cells, 08/05-08/06
  • Dr. Li Cui, 1) Synthesis of Novel Asymmetric Discotic Liquid Crystals and 2) Molecular and Nanocomposite for High Energy Density Capacitors, 06/04-09/06 (currently at Saint-Gobain, Shanghai)
  • Dr. Zhongzhe Yuan, Molecular and Nanocomposites for High Energy Density Capacitors, 09/06-11/07 (currently at Mitsubishi Corp.)
  • Dr. Dunliang Jian, Molecular and Nanocomposites for High Energy Density Capacitors, 03/07-12/07 (currently at Shanghai University)
  • Dr. Jing Wang, Polymer-Ceramic Nanocomposites for High power Capacitors, 09/07-08/30/09
  • Prof. Mingwang Pan (Hebei University of Technology), Core-Shell PVDF Nanoparticles, 08/09-08/10
  • Dr. Bing Guan, Polymer Janus Particles and Their Self-Assembly, 10/01/09-09/30/11 (currently at Sabic Plastics)
  • Prof. Longxiang Tang (Hefei University of Technology), Polymer Nanocomposites for Electric Energy Storage, 12/09-12/10
  • Mr. Ganji Zhong (Sichuan University), Electrospinning of PVDF/PSF Blends, 10/08-11/10
  • Dr. Xiaoliang Wei, Polymer Nanocomposite Multilayer Films as Active Materials, 02/10-03/11 (currently at PNNL)
  • Prof. Fafu Yang (Fujian Normal University), Synthesis of discotic liquid crystalline molecules, 07/10-01/11
  • Mr. Run Su, Mixed polymer brushes, 09/10-09/11 (currently at DuPont Shanghai)
  • Prof. Zaijun Lu (Shandong University), Polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cells, 01/11-01/12
  • Prof. Aixiang Li (Shandong University of Science and Technology), Polymer Nanocomposite Multilayer Films as Active Materials, 09/11-08/12 and 02/14-07/14
  • Prof. Juan Chen (Jinan University), Polymer/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites, 02/12-08/12
  • Prof. Ruifang Guan (Jinan University), PVDF-g-PS Graft Copolymers, 05/12-08/12
  • Dr. Daxuan Dong, High Energy Density Nanodielectrics for Commercial Pulsed Power Applications, 02/12-06/13
  • Dr. Feng Laughlin, Composite nanoparticle latexes via seeded emulsion polymerization, 09/12-10/13
  • Prof. Haiquan Wang (Weifang University of Technology), Silver Nanoparticle Nanodielectrics, 11/12-04/13
  • Prof. Huili Ding (Hebei University of Technology), Polymer/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites, 12/12-11/13
  • Prof. Elshad Allakhyarov (Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf and Joint Institute for High Temperatures, Russian Academy of Sciences), Theoretical Aspects of Polymer Dielectrics, 03/13- 12/13, 03/15-09/15, 01/18-present
  • Mr. Worarin Meesorn, Electrospun SEBS nanofibers for deformable electrodes, 01/14-03/14
  • Mr. Jianchuan Wang, Nonlinear dielectric properties of PVDF and copolymers, 09/13-09/14
  • Mr. Junji Wei, Dielectric properties of dipolar glasses, 09/13-09/14
  • Prof. Jun Lei, Polymer nanocomposites for actuation, 08/14-08/15
  • Dr. Yufeng Zhu, High polarization ferroelectric liquid crystalline polymers, 10/14-09/16
  • Mr. Zhe Liu, High dielectric constant elastomers, 11/14-10/15
  • Ms. Yue Li, Effects of biaxial stretching on dielectric properties of polymer films, 12/14-11/16
  • Dr. Bing Qin, Nanoparticles for lubrication applications, 06/15-05/16
  • Prof. Guo Yao, Polymer/graphene oxide nanocomposites, 06/15-05/16 Zhu CV, 3/31/2018 4
  • Prof. Guo Jiang, Polymer/graphene nanocomposites, 06/15-05/16
  • Prof. Yuanming Zhang, 09/15-03/16
  • Mr. Zhongqiang Zhao, High dielectric constant polymers in GHz range, 11/15-12/16
  • Mr. Leipeng Liu, High dielectric constant elastomers, 10/16-10/17
  • Ms. Yanfei Huang, Multilayer film-foam electrets, 10/16-10/18
  • Dr. Huadong Huang, High temperature multilayer films for electric vehicles, 08/16-08/17
  • Dr. Xiying Dai, Piezoelectric PVDF, 01/18-01/19
  • Dr. Xiao Wei, Thermal conduction PVDF, 09/18-09/19
  • Dr. Xin Huang, Dielectric Ceramics, 10/18-10/19
  • Prof. Ling Weng, Dielectric Composite Materials, 10/18-10/19
  • Prof. Yongfang Yang, Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Materials, 07/18-07-19
  • Prof. Wei Yang, Metallic Materials, 08/18-08/20
  • Prof. Jintang Li, Piezoelectric MOFs, 11/19-11/20 
  • Dr. Licong Kang, Magnetic Nanomaterials, 01/20-01/21
  • Dr. Zhiwen Zhu, Piezoelectric Polymers, 10/19-10/21

High School Teachers

  • Dr. Richard Wilson (07/2005 - 08/2005, Somers High School, CT
  • Mr. Robert Pirrie (07/2006 - 08/2006, E. O. Smith High School, CT)
  • Mrs. Jeannette Martus (07/2007 - 08/2007, E. O. Smith High School, CT)

Undergraduate Students

  • Alyssa Wiley, Lafayette College, Block Copolymer/Clay Nanocomposites, 06/03 - 08/03
  • Adam Mayernick, University of Rochester, Synthesis of Biodegradable ABC Triblock Copolymers, 06/04 - 08/04
  • Henry Lau, Columbia University, Synthesis and Characterization of Coil-Coil-Sphere Triblock Copolymers, 06/04 - 08/04
  • Steven Viel, Bucknell University, “Mechanical Property of Wheat Gluten/Clay Nanocomposites,” (co-advise with Richard Parnas), 06/04 - 08/04
  • Jorge E. Ginorio, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto Universitario Mayagüez, “Synthesis and Characterization of Well-defined Polylactide Block Copolymers and Their Stereocomplexes,” 06/05 - 08/05
  • Amanda Feldman, Western New England College, Dielectric Breakdown Properties of P(VDFHFP)/SiO2 Nanocomposites, 06/06-08/06
  • Christine Ricci, Smith College, Synthesis and Characterization of Asymmetric Heme Discotic Molecules, 06/06-07/06 and 06/08-08/08
  • Ethan Ertel, Morphology of PEO/Organoclay Nanocomposites, 08/03-12/03
  • Phillip Baker, Single-walled Carbon Nanotube/RNA Interactions, 01/04-05/04
  • Jeffrey P. Collet, Synthesis of Mixed Discotic Star Molecules, 09/04-12/04
  • Masarath Ghiasuddin, RNA Degradation in Single-walled Carbon Nanotube/RNA Complex, 09/04- 12/04
  • Janet Grezlik, Synthesis of Discotic Phthalocyanine Supermolecules, 01/05-05/05
  • Brian R. Fuller, Construction of a Preparative Scale GPC, 08/05-12/05
  • Josh Sherwood, Synthesis of Triphenylene-C60 Dyad Molecules, 08/05-12/05
  • Michael J. Heinzer, Jr, Silica-based High Temperature PEM Fuel Cells, 08/05-12/05
  • Jennifer Cileli, 1) Single Crystals from Biodegradable Polylactide Stereocomplexes, 08/05-05/06; 2) Synthesis of C60-Triphenylene Dyad Molecules, 01/06-05/06
  • Matthew Morin, Micro Fuel Cells, 01/07-05/07
  • James Steffes, Asymmetric Heme molecules, 01/07-05/07
  • Jason White and Alison Chen, Grafting PET from Magdiite Nanoclays, 01/07-05/07
  • Jennifer Lucatino, Miscibility study of PEO, PLLA and PDLA Blends, 08/07-05/08
  • Nathan Barlow, DNA-POSS Bionanomaterials for Gene Delivery, 01/08-08/08
  • Michaël Prévost, University of Rouen, French trainee student, Synthesis and Characterization of Triphenylene Lipids and Triphenylene- C60 Dyad Molecules, 04/03/05-08/02/05
  • Simon Wong, Cornell University, Design and Fabrication of Planarized Micro Fuel Cells, 05/06-08/06
  • Chad Houghton, Penn State University at Eric, Homogeneous Crystallization of PEO in Electrospun PS/PEO Nanofibers, 05/09-07/09
  • Neville Green, City College at New York, CUNY, NY, Synthesis of Polymer Brushes on BaTiO3 Nanoparticles and their Polymer Nanocomposites, 05/10-07/10
  • Gloria Boxell, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, IN, Dielectric Properties of Poly(vinylidene fluoride)/Polysulfone Multilayer Films, 05/10-07/10
  • Melanie Hutnick, New Jersey College, NJ, Dielectric Properties of Poly(vinylidene fluoride)/Polysulfone Multilayer Films, 05/11-07/11
  • Andy Gong, University of Michigan, MI, Ferroelectric Properties of P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE)-g-PS(14%) Graft Copolymers, 06/11-08/11
  • Myela Paige, University of Maryland, Electroactive TPU Elastomers, 06/12-08/12
  • Andy Gong, University of Michigan, MI, Electroactive TPU Elastomers, 07/12-08/12
  • Emanuel Zlibut, Fisk University, TN, Polymer/Silver Nanoparticle Composites, 07/13-08/13
  • Brady Tyburski, Central Michigan University, MI, Relaxor Ferroelectric P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE) Terpolymers, 06/14-08/14
  • Rhett Thompson, Central Michigan University, MI, Novel Ferroelectric Nylons, 06/15-08/15 and 06/16-08/16
  • Karl Codweis, Le Moyne College, PA, Polymer Nanodielectrics, 06/15-08/15
  • Joseph Müller, Stony Brook University, NY, Electrostriction from Pebax Elastomer, 06/17-08/17
  • Curtis Obert, Electrospinning of PVDF/PAN Blend Nanofibers, 09/09-12/09
  • Mao-Sheng (Allen) Lu, Seeded Emulsion Polymerization of PVDF/PS Core-Shell Latexes, 12/09- 07/11
  • Shawn Rupp, Electrospinning of PVDF/PSF Blend Nanofibers, 01/10-04/10
  • Julia Lai, Dielectric Properties of PVDF/PSF Multilayer Films, 01/10-04/10
  • Craig Lewis, Dielectric Properties of PVDF/PMMA Blend Films, 09/10-present
  • Anise Grant, Mixed Polymer Brushes, 09/11-present
  • Yuan Yao, Ferroelectric Property of P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE)-g-PS(14%) Graft Copolymers, 09/11- present
  • Yixin Feng, Dielectric Properties of PVDF/PSF Multilayer Films, 09/11-12/11
  • Henry Brown, Ferroelectric Properties of Polymer Blends, 01/13-05/13
  • Neil He, Polymer/Silver Nanoparticle Composites, 09/13-12/13
  • Michelle Song, Multilayer dielectric films, 09/13-12/13
  • Stephen Rodriguez, Comparison of breakdown strength of multilayer and blend films, 01/14-05/14
  • Jielei Li, Polymer dielectric elastomers, 01/14-05/14
  • Maren Waldner, Ferroelectric nylons, 09/14-12/14
  • Anthony Fernando, Breakdown strength of multilayer films, 01/15-05/15
  • Jiawen Wang, Lifetime study of multilayer films, 09/15-03/16
  • Colby Saxton, Ferroelectric property of nylons, 09/15-12/15
  • Leticia Dornfeld, Ferroelectric nylons, 01/16-05/16
  • Jeehoon Bae, Ferroelectric nylons, 09/16-12/16
  • Drake Cai, Piezoelectric Pebax, 01/18-05/18
  • Brian Yu, Multilayer Lifetime, 08/20-12/20

High School Students

  • Jonathan Rodriguez, High temperature multilayer system, 07/2011-08/2011; 07/2012-08/2012
  • Grace Gilson, Multilayer Lifetime and Breakdown Properties, 05/21-