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Youhong (Nancy) Guo headshot

Youhong (Nancy) Guo

Assistant Professor (as of January 1, 2025)
Kenan Laboratories 7C
ygnancy@mit.edu
N/A

Research Interest:
Materials science and engineering, Separation processes, Renewable energy harvesting and utilization, Advanced Manufacturing

Professional Background

Postdoc, Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology;
Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2021;
M.S.& B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of California San Diego, 2017, 2016

Research Synopsis

My research group focuses on developing structured polymeric materials with novel fabrication approaches for applications in energy, water, and environmental sustainability. By leveraging fundamental principles of polymer chemistry, chemical engineering, electrochemistry, and materials science, we design porous polymer networks with controlled functionalities and scale them in simple, green, and sustainable paths. We aim to gain mechanistic insight into chemistries and interactions among polymers, water, and gas molecules at the molecular level as well as structure-property-function relationships of polymers from microscopic to macroscopic scale.

Several important questions will be answered: How do functional groups on polymers interact with surrounding water and gas molecules? How do surface and structure properties tailor the liquid and gas transport? How to utilize those physical and chemical interactions to fabricate customized polymer networks with facile, zero-carbon routes?

Ultimately, the new materials developed, and insights gained in our group will drive forward the rational design of energy-efficient separation and decarbonization systems, which will pave the way for future cost-effective and environmentally friendly technologies with long-term potential to solve our contemporary global challenges, including water scarcity, climate change, and energy crisis.