Representative research projects as first author:
Project 1: Bio-inspired mechanochromisms via strain-dependent cracks and folds
Four types of mechanochromic devices based on a film- substrate bilayer system was developed. They can change the transparency, fluorescent intensity, fluorescent color and reveal and hide patterns, respectively. The cracks and folds on the film layer can be reversibly generated as stretched. The cracks can act as ‘gates’ to adjust the exposure area of the underneath functional substrate; while the folds with excellent light scattering properties can alter the overall transparency. (Nature Communications 2016, 7:11802.) https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms11802
Project 2: Moisture responsive wrinkling surfaces with tunable dynamics
Three moisture responsive wrinkle device with different dynamics were fabricated based on PVA-PDMS structure. In first sample, the opaque and moisture stable wrinkles can be rapidly and reversibly generated as moisturized. In second sample, during moisturization, the wrinkles can also be initially gexnerated followed by rewinding to flattened surface. In third sample, the wrinkles generated by moisture can keep stable in following moisturizing/drying circle. This system can be applied as anti-counterfeit tab, a “erase after read” device, water indicator, anti-glare surface, and optical diffusor. (Advanced Materials 2017, 29, 1700828. Highlighted in frontpiece) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adma.201700828
Project 3: Dynamic multifunctional devices enabled by ultrathin metal nanocoatings with optical/photothermal and morphological versatility
With the combination of multiscale hierarchical architecture, ultrathin metal nanocoatings with high optical, photothermal tunability and morphological versatility, and surface and interface engineering, a set of multifunctional devices with multi-stimuli responsiveness was fabricated. These devices can adapt to external stimuli with reversible and instantaneous responses in optical signals, which include strain-regulated light-scattering properties, photothermal responsive wrinkled surface coupled with moisture-responsive structural color, and mechanically controllable light-shielding properties. The structural designs that rationally overlay micro-/nanostructured ultrathin nanocoatings with other elements are the key to realize this advanced system. (PNAS 2022, 119 (4), e2118991119) https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2118991119
Project 4: Efficient Mechanoluminescent Elastomers as Stretching/Strain Sensor
A unique Sr3Al2O6:Eu3+ exhibiting highly efficient photoluminescence and mechanoluminescence (ML) was embedded into PDMS. By combining the wavelength selectivity of photoluminescence and dynamic stress response of ML, Sr3Al2O6:Eu3+ enables the design a dual-responsive anticounterfeiting flexible device activated by either UV or mechanics, and a comprehensive stretching/strain sensor capable of sensing both strain level and stretching states. (Advanced Functional Materials 2018, 28, 1803168.) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adfm.201803168
Project 5: Multi-stimuli responsive chromism with tailorable mechanochromic sensitivity
A 3D integration strategy was proposed to rationally assemble various chromic materials, light shielding layers, and stretchable substrate into a set of multi-stimuli responsive (MSR) devices equipped with thermo-/photochromic properties and tunable mechanochromic sensitivity, which can be applied as wearable motion/environmental monitoring chromic device. (Materials Horizons 2020, 7, 164-172.) https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2020/mh/c9mh00851a
Project 6: Dynamic Thermal Radiation Modulators via Mechanically Tunable Surface Emissivity
A rigid film and a substrate with mismatched thermal emissivity combined with a stretchable heater was fabricated for a new dynamic thermal modulator, whose thermal emissivity can be modulating the strain-dependent crack open width. The system features low working temperature, broad emissivity modulation, observing angle independence, excellent reversibility, response rate and sensitivity, feasibility for multiplexing, and autonomous actuation. The design can be applied for thermographic-based finger motion sensing, information encryption, multiplexing display, and thermal camouflage. (Materials Today 2021, 45, 44-53 Highlighted in inner cover) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369702120304491
Project 7: Smart laser-writable micropatterns with multi-scale photo/moisture reconstructible structure
We report a laser-writable micropatterned system with three distinct moisture responsive dynamics, including (1) moisture erasable and laser re-writable wrinkles; (2) moisture driven reversible wrinkles; (3) moisture resistant wrinkles, which are realized by a photo/moisture reconstructible multi-scale film-substrate bilayer structure. This programmable system can be applied in information encryption/recording and as a moisture responsive electrical switch. (Advanced Functional Materials 2020, 31, 2009481.) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adfm.202009481
Project 8: Tailoring multi-stimuli responsive micropatterns activated by various mechanical modes.
We report a versatile wrinkle based micropatterned system activated by various mechanical methods, including vertical press or scratch, stretch-and-release, bend, or analogous magneto-mechanical and electro-mechanical modes. This dynamic system can be leveraged into multiple applications: (1) moisture erasable highly sensitive pressure responsive devices; (2) moisture erasable scratching/magneto-mechanical re-writable tablets; (3) electro-mechanical controllable smart windows; (4) information recording/encryption devices. (Advanced Functional Materials 2021, 31, 2100612.) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adfm.202100612
Project 9: Wrinkle-driven Tubular Structure for Adaptive 3D Stretchable Electronics
A 3D tubular wrinkled geometry was fabricated from the strain relaxation of a 2D film-substrate precursor. The system exhibits a unique 3D shape adaptivity that a uniaxial strain can drive an angular tube opening/folding, inspiring the development of a strain sensor having dual-level sensitivities and a tactile responsive artificial mimosa device. Also, the customized electrode patterns can be pre-coated on the 2D precursor followed by released to the tubular geometry. Thus, a wearable stretchable tactile switch and a stretchable tubular supercapacitor with dual stimuli-responsiveness were also fabricated. (Materials Horizons 2020, 7, 2368-2377) https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2020/mh/d0mh00593b
Publications (Google scholar page: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=usxHj7EAAAAJ&hl=en):
(ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Songshan-Zeng-2/research )
After joining MUST: (#: Co-first authors made equal contribution) (*:corresponding author)
1. Zeng, S.; Smith, A.; Shen, K.; Sun, L*. Smart soft materials with multi-scale architecture and dynamic surface topographies. Account of Materials Research, 2022, 3, 11, 1115–1126
2. Cai, F.; Yang, B.; Yu, M.; Zeng, S.; Yu, H. *; Photocontrollable liquid-crystalline block copolymers: design, photo-directed self-assembly and applications. Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 2023,11, 3180-3196
3. Hou, Z. #; Zeng, S.#*; Shen, K.; Healey, P.; Schipper, Holly.; Zhang, L.; Zhang, M.; Jones, M.; Sun, L.*; Interactive Deformable Electroluminescent Devices Enabled by an Adaptable Hydrogel System with Optical/Photothermal/Mechanical Tunability. Materials Horizons 2023 10, 5931-5941.
4. Bodin, J. N., Shen, K., Zeng, S., Sun, L. Expanding Horizons: Diverse Applications of Rubbers and Elastomers in Emerging Technologies. Rubber Chemistry and Technology, 2024, 97(2), 93-117.
5. Tong, M., Kuang, S., Wang, Q., Li, X., Yu, H., Zeng, S. #, & Yu, X#. Dual cross-linked cellulose-based hydrogel for dendrites-inhibited flexible zinc-ion energy storage devices with ultra-long cycles and high energy density. Carbohydrate Polymers, 2024, 122444.
Representative Published Publications (before join MUST): (#: Co-first authors made equal contribution)
4. Zeng, S.; Zhang, D.; Huang, W.; Wang, Z.; Freire, S.; Yu, X.; Smith, A.; Huang, E.; Nguon, H.; Sun, L. Bio-inspired Sensitive and Reversible Mechanochromisms via Strain-dependent Cracks and Folds. Nature Communications 2016, 7:11802. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11802.
5. Zeng, S.; Yang, Z.; Hou, Z.; Park, C.; Jones, M.; Ding, H.; Shen, K.; Smith, A.; Wang, B.; Jiang, H.; Sun, L. Dynamic multi-functional devices enabled by ultrathin metal nanocoatings with optical/photothermal and morphological versatility. PNAS 2022, 119 (4), e2118991119.
6. Zeng, S.; Li, R.; Freire, S.; Garbellotto, V.; Huang, E.; Smith, A.; Hu, C.; Tait, W.; Bian, Z.; Zheng, G.; Zhang, D.; Sun, L. Moisture-Responsive Wrinkling Surfaces with Tunable Dynamics. Advanced Materials 2017, 29, 1700828.
7. Zeng, S.#; Shen, K.#; Liu, Y.; Chooi, A.; Smith, A.; Zhai, S.; Chen, Z.; Sun, L. Dynamic Thermal Radiation Modulators via Mechanically Tunable Surface Emissivity. Materials Today 2021, 45, 44-53
8. Zeng, S.; Li, R.; Tait, W.; Zhang, M.; Zhu, M.; Chov, N.; Xu, G.; Zhang, D.; Sun, L. Spontaneous Formation of Wrinkle-driven Tubular Structure as a Versatile Platform for Adaptive 3D Stretchable Electronics. Materials Horizons 2020, 7, 2368-2377.
9. Zeng, S.; Sun, H.; Park, C.; Zhang, M.; Zhu, M.; Chov, N.; Li, E.; Smith, A.; Xu, G.; Li, S.; Hou, Z.; Li, Y.; Wang, B.; Zhang, D.; Sun, L. Multi-stimuli responsive chromism with tailorable mechanochromic sensitivity for versatile interactive sensing under ambient conditions. Materials Horizons 2020, 7,164-172.
10. Zeng, S.; Liu, Y.; Li, S.; Shen, K.; Hou, Z.; Chooi, A.; Smith, Andrew.; Chen, Z.; Sun, L. Smart laser-writable micropatterns with multi-scale photo/moisture reconstructible structure. Advanced Functional Materials 2020, 31, 2009481
11. Zeng, S.; Shen, K.; Li, S.; Li, R.; Hou, Z.; Zhang, X.; Tait, W.; Kajiwara, T.; Takahara, A.; Smith, A.; Jones, M.; Zhang, D.; Sun, L. Tailoring multi-stimuli responsive micropatterns activated by various mechanical modes. Advanced Functional Materials 2021, 31, 2100612.
12. Zeng, S.; Wang, S.; Xiao, M.; Han, D.; Meng, Y. Preparation and Properties of Biodegradable Blend Containing Poly (propylene carbonate) and Starch Acetate with Different Degrees of Substitution. Carbohydrate Polymers 2011, 86, 1260-1265.
13. Zeng, S.; Hou, Z.; So, C.; Wai, H.; Jang, D.; Lai, W.; Sun, L.; Gao, Z. (2022). Simultaneously stiffening and toughening epoxy by urea treated hydroxylated halloysite nanotubes. Polymer 2022, 256, 125194.
14. Zeng, S.; Reyes, C.; Liu, J.; Rodgers, P. A.; Wentworth, S. H.; Sun, L. Facile Hydroxylation of Halloysite Nanotubes for Epoxy Nanocomposite Applications. Polymer 2014, 55, 6519-6528.
15. Wu, C.#; Zeng, S.#; Wang, Z.; Wang, F.; Zhou, H.; Zhang, J.; Ci, Z.; L Sun. Efficient Mechanoluminescent Elastomers for Dual‐Responsive Anticounterfeiting Device and Stretching/Strain Sensor with Multimode Sensibility. Advanced Functional Materials 2018, 28, 1803168.
16. Mao, Z.#; Zeng, S. #; Shen, K.; Chooi, A.; Simth, A.; Jones, M.; Zhou, Y.; Liu, X.; Sun, L. Dynamic Mechanochromic Optics with Tunable Strain Sensitivity for Strain Responsive Digit Display. Advanced Optical Materials 2020, 8, 2001472
17. Xu, Y. #; Zeng, S.#; Xian, W.; Lin, L.; Ding, H.; Liu, J.; Xiao, M.; Wang, S.; Li, Y.; Meng, Y.; Sun, L. Transparency Change Mechanochromism Based on a Robust PDMS-Hydrogel Bilayer Structure. Macromolecular Rapid Communication 2021, 42, 2000446.
18. Jiang, Y.#; Zeng, S. #; Yao, Y.; Xu, S.; Dong, Q.; Chen, P.; Wang, Z.; Zhang, M.; Zhu, M.; Xu, G; and Zeng, H. Dynamic Optics with Transparency and Color Changes under Ambient Conditions. Polymers 2019,11(1), p.103.
19. Smith, A. T.; Shen, K.; Hou, Z.; Zeng, S.; Jin, J.; Ning, C.; Zhao, Y.; Sun, L. Dual Photo‐and Mechanochromisms of Graphitic Carbon Nitride/Polyvinyl Alcohol Film. Advanced Functional Materials, 2022, 32, 2110285
20. Zhang, B.; Liu, J.; Ren, M.; Wu, C.; Moran, T. J.; Zeng, S.; Chavez, S. E.; Hou, Z.; Li, Z.; LaChance, A. M.; Jow, T. R.; Huey, B. D.; Cao, Y.; Sun, L. Reviving the “Schottky” Barrier for Flexible Polymer Dielectrics with a Superior 2D Nanoassembly Coating. Advanced Materials 2021, 33, 2101374.
21. Jia, L.; Zeng, S.; Ding, H.; Smith, A. T.; LaChance, A. M.; Farooqui, M.; Ma, J.; Gao, D.; Sun, L.; Leather-Based Multi-Stimuli Responsive Chromisms. Advanced Functional Materials 2021, 31, 2104427.
22. Sun, Y.; Liu, S.; Sun, L.; Wu, S.; Hu, G.; Pang, X.; Smith, A.; Hu, C.; Zeng, S.; Wang, W.; Liu, Y.; Zheng, M.; Ultralong lifetime and efficient room temperature phosphorescent carbon dots through multiconfinement structure design. Nature Communications 2020, 11, 5591.
23. Chen, S.; Zeng, S.; Liu, S.; Liu, H.; Zheng, R.; White, K. L.; Smith, A.T.; Liu, L.; Sun, L. A biomimetic interface with high adhesion, tailorable modulus for on-skin sensors and low-power actuators. Chemistry of Materials 2019, 31, 21, 8708–8716
24. Ding, F.; Liu, J.; Zeng, S.; Xia, Y.; Wells, K.; Nieh, M.; Sun, L. Biomimetic Nanocoatings with Exceptional Mechanical, Barrier, and Flame-retardant Properties from Large-scale One-step Coassembly. Science Advances 2017, 3(7), p.e1701212.
25. Ma, Z.; Zhou, J.; Zhang, J.; Zeng, S.; Zhou, H.; Smith, A. T.; Wang, W.; Sun, L.; Wang, Z. Mechanics Induced Triple-mode Anticounterfeiting and Moving Tactile Sensing by Simultaneously Utilizing Instantaneous and Persistent Mechanoluminescence. Materials Horizons 2019, 6, 2003-2008
Other Published Publications:
26. Smith, A. T.; Liu, X.; Ding, H.; Zeng, S.; Williams, B. L.; Lachance, A. M.; Park, C.; Gitman, P. A.; Kokkula, A.; Huang, X.; Suib, S. L.; Zeng, H.; Tan, T.; Sun, L. Tailoring Defects in Photocatalysts by Engineering Solvent Interactions for Highly Active and Responsive Color Switching. Advanced Optical Materials 2021, 9, 2101115.
27. Ding, F.; Ding, H.; Shen, Z.; Qian, L.; Ouyang, J.; Zeng, S.; Seery, T. A. P.; Li, J.; Wu, G.; Chavez, S. E.; Smith, A. T.; Liu, L.; Li, Y.; Sun, L. Super Stretchable and Compressible Hydrogels Inspired by Hook-and-Loop Fasteners. Langmuir 2021, 37(25), 7760-7770.
28. Ding, H.; Khan, S. T.; Zeng, S.; Sun, L. Exfoliation of Nanosized α-Zirconium Phosphate in Methanol. Inorganic Chemistry 2021, 60, 11, 8276–8284
29. Hu, M.; Gao, Y.; Jiang, Y.; Zeng, H.; Zeng, S.; Zhu, M.; Sun, L. High-performance strain sensors based on bilayer carbon black/PDMS hybrids. Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials 2021, 4, 514–520
30. Zhang, S.; Liu, Q.; Yang, Y.; Zhang, H.; Liu, J.; Zeng, S.; LaChance, M. A.; Barret, T. A.; Sun, L. An efficient method to prepare aluminosilicate nanoscrolls under mild conditions. Chemical Communications 2021, 57, 789-792
31. Smith, A.T.; Ding, H.; Gorski, A.; Zhang, M.; Gitman, P.A.; Park, C.; Hao, Z.; Jiang, Y.; Williams, B.L.; Zeng, S.; Kokkula, A.; Yu, Q.; Ding, G.; Zeng, H.; Sun, L.; Multi-color Reversible Photochromisms via Tunable Light-Dependent Responses. Matter 2020, 2(3),680-696
32. Su, X.; Li, H.; Lai, X.; Zheng, L.; Chen, Z.; Zeng, S.; Shen, K., Sun, L; Zeng, X. Bio-Inspired Superhydrophobic Thermochromic Films with Robust Healability. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2020, 12, 12, 14578–14587
33. Xu, Y.; Lin, L.; Zeng, S.; Liu, J.; Xiao, M.; Wang, S.; Sun, L. Synthesis of Polylactide Nanocomposites Using α-Zirconium Phosphate Nanosheets Supported Zinc Catalyst via in situ Polymerization. ACS Applied Polymer Materials 2019, 1,6,1382-1389
34. Smith, A. T.; LaChance, A. M.; Zeng, S.; Liu, B.; Sun, L. Synthesis, properties, and applications of graphene oxide/reduced graphene oxide and their nanocomposites. Nano Materials Science 2019, 1(1), 31-47.
35. Wang, Z., Zeng, S., Joshi, G.N., Smith, A.T., Zeng, H., Wei, Z., Yu, X., Pokhrel, M., Mao, Y., Wang, W. and Sun, L., 2019. Design and Fabrication of Highly Photoluminescent Carbon-Incorporated Silica from Rice Husk Biomass. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 2019, 58, 11, 4688–4694
36. Chen, S.; Liu, H.; Liu, S.; Wang, P.; Zeng, S.; Sun, L.; Liu, L. Transparent and Waterproof Ionic Liquid-Based Fibers for Highly Durable Multifunctional Sensors and Strain-Insensitive Stretchable Conductors. ACS applied materials & interfaces 2017,10 (4), 4305-4314
37. Wang, Z.; Zeng, S.; Li, Y.; Wang, W.; Zhang, Z.; Zeng, H.; Wang, W.; Sun, L. Luminescence Mechanism of Carbon-Incorporated Silica Nanoparticles Derived from Rice Husk Biomass. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 2017, 56 (20), 5906-5912
38. Wang, Z.; Zeng, S.; Yu, J.; Ji, X.; Zeng, H.; Xin, S.; Sun, L. Size/morphology Induced Tunable Luminescence in Upconversion Crystals: Ultra-strong Single-band Emission and Underlying Mechanisms. Nanoscale 2015,7, 9552-9557.
39. Huang, X.; Zeng, S.; Liu, J.; He, T.; Sun, L.; Xu, D.; Wu, J. A High-Performance Electrospun Poly (propylene carbonate)/poly (vinylidene fluoride) Gel Polymer Electrolyte for Lithium Ion Batteries. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C 2015, 119, 27882−27891.
40. Luo, G.; Liu, W.; Zeng, S.; Zhang, C.; Yu, X.; Fang, Y.; Sun, L. Hierarchal Mesoporous SnO2@C@TiO2 Nanochains for Anode Material of Lithium-ion Batteries with Excellent Cycling Stability. Electrochimica Acta 2015, 184, 219-225.
41. Luo, G.; Lu, Y.; Zeng, S.; Zhong, S.; Yu, X.; Fang, Y.; Sun, L. Synthesis of rGO-Fe3O4-SnO2-C Quaternary Hybrid Mesoporous Nanosheets as A High-performance Anode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries. Electrochimica Acta 2015, 182, 715-722.
42. Huang, W.; Zeng, S.; Liu, J.; Sun, L. Bi-axially Oriented Polystyrene/ montmorillonite Nanocomposite Films. RSC Advances 2015, 5, 58191-58198.
43. Xiao, M.; Huang, M.; Zeng, S.; Han, D.; Wang, S.; Sun, L.; Meng, Y. Sulfur@ graphene Oxide Core–shell Particles as a Rechargeable Lithium–sulfur Battery Cathode Material with High Cycling Stability and Capacity. RSC Advances 2013, 3, 4914-4916.
Patents applications:
1. Sun, L.; Zeng, S.; Zhang, D. Stimuli Responsive Materials, Methods of Making, and Methods of Use Thereof. U.S. Patent No. 10,828,876. (Approved non-provisional patent)
2. Sun, L.; Zeng, S.; Zhang, D. Moisture Responsive Materials and Methods of Making. U.S. Patent No. 10,950,146. (Approved non-provisional patent)
3. Sun, L.; Zeng, S.; Shen, K. Stretchable thermal radiation modulation system via mechanically tunable surface emissivity. U.S. Patent No. 11,718,078 (Approved non-provisional patent)
4. Sun, L.; Zeng, S.; Zhang, D.; Li, R. Shape adaptive wrinkle-driven 3D tubular structure for stretchable interactive electronics U.S. Patent No. US 11,752,745 (Approved non-provisional patent)
5. Sun, L.; Zeng, S.; Chen, Z.; Liu, Y. Method of Forming Micro-patterned Surface Using Dynamic Laser on Multi-scale Opto and Moisture Responsive Structure and a Multi-layer Film Useful in Such Method. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/089,746, application date: October 09, 2020. (Converting into non-provisional patent)
6. Sun, L.; Zeng, S. Multi-responsive Chromic Systems Made by 3D Integration and Multi-responsive devices. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/772,800