معرفی
Jian Liu is an Associate Professor (Tenure) in Mechanical Engineering at the University of British Columbia's School of Engineering. He holds the prestigious position of Principal's Research Chair in Energy Storage Technologies and serves as a graduate student supervisor. His research focuses on advanced energy storage technologies with particular emphasis on next-generation battery systems.
Dr. Liu earned his academic credentials through an international journey: completing a B.Eng. in Metallic Materials Engineering at Sichuan University (2006), an M.Eng. in Materials Science and Engineering at University of Science and Technology Beijing (2009), and a Ph.D. in Materials Science at the University of Western Ontario (2013).
His research program spans several critical areas in energy storage, including Atomic/Molecular Layer Deposition (ALD/MLD) for creating precise nanomaterial coatings, surface/interface engineering in energy systems to prevent unwanted side reactions in batteries, development of electrode and electrolyte materials for beyond Li-ion batteries (particularly Na-ion systems), and fabrication of 3D microbatteries using advanced deposition techniques. His work addresses fundamental challenges in battery technology, such as dendrite formation, electrode degradation, and energy density limitations.
Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward addressing practical challenges in battery technology, with increasing focus on zinc-based systems, solid-state electrolytes, and sustainable materials. His research has evolved from fundamental nanofabrication techniques toward practical battery applications with emphasis on durability, safety, and manufacturing feasibility. The publications show a progression from lithium-ion systems toward next-generation chemistries including zinc-ion, sodium-ion, and tellurium-based batteries.
Dr. Liu has received significant recognition for his research contributions:
- NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship Award (2014-2016)
- PNNL Alternated-Sponsored Fellowship (2015-2016)
- Mitacs Elevate Postdoctoral Fellowship Award (2013-2014)
- Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad (2013)
As an educator, Dr. Liu teaches Material Science for Engineers (APSC 259) and Mechanics of Materials I (APSC 260). His research is supported through competitive funding mechanisms that have enabled his laboratory to pursue cutting-edge research in energy storage. He maintains an active collaboration network with national laboratories including Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he conducted postdoctoral research prior to joining UBC in January 2017.
Dr. Liu leads the Advanced Materials for Energy Storage Lab at UBC, which focuses on developing novel materials and fabrication techniques for next-generation energy storage systems. The lab combines advanced nanofabrication capabilities with comprehensive electrochemical characterization to bridge fundamental materials science with practical battery applications.
