Orlin D. Velev

Orlin D. Velev is the S. Frank and Doris Culberson Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering at North Carolina State University (NC State), part of the College of Engineering. His research focuses on colloid science, soft materials engineering, nanotechnology, and sustainable nanocomposites. He leads the Velev Lab, pioneering innovations in self-propelling microdevices, environmentally benign nanomaterials, and responsive materials for energy and biomedical applications.

Velev's academic journey includes a PhD in Physical Chemistry from Sofia University (1999), followed by M.S. and B.Tech degrees in Chemical Engineering from NC State. His work bridges chemistry, physics, and biology, with notable contributions to microfluidics, colloidal assembly, and battery technologies. He has supervised numerous graduate and undergraduate students, fostering interdisciplinary research and innovation.

Key research areas include:

• Directed assembly of colloids using external fields
• Self-propelling microbots and active particles
• Sustainable biopolymer composites (e.g., lignin-based nanoparticles)
• Soft robotic components and smart materials
• Biodegradable electronics and energy storage solutions

Honors include the Braskem Award, AIChE’s Andreas Acrivos Award, and multiple fellowships. His lab’s recent advancements include osmotic-capillary wearable patches for sweat analysis and high-performance lithium-sulfur battery separators using soft dendritic colloids.

Velev collaborates extensively, with projects funded by NSF, industry partnerships, and federal grants. His work emphasizes translating fundamental science into real-world applications, such as biodegradable packaging, microplastic remediation, and wearable health monitoring devices.