Title: Drops of Innovation: Bringing Physics to Sustainable Chemical Engineering
Speaker: Prof. Steven Wang (City University of Hong Kong)
Invited by: Researcher Xiao Jing
Time: August 31, 2026 (Monday), 09:00 AM
Venue: Meeting Room 105 of the Shaw Engineering Building
Organizer: School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Abstract:
This seminar explores groundbreaking advances at the intersection of interfacial physics and sustainability. Three revolutionary systems are unveiled: Droplet mops that remove surface contaminants with 99.9% efficiency using raindrop‑sized impacts, slashing water use by 90% for solar farm cleaning; A self‑sufficient air‑to‑fertilizer system combining fog harvesting and droplet‑based nitrogen synthesis, boosting crop yields without freshwater or chemical inputs; and An electricity‑free air‑to‑hydrogen technology leveraging radiative cooling and photocatalysis to produce green H₂ from atmospheric moisture. Together, these innovations harness nonlinear fluid dynamics, spectral engineering, and environmental resource harvesting to address water scarcity, food security, and clean energy, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Biography:
Prof. Steven Wang serves as the Dean of Engineering at City University of Hong Kong. He earned his Ph.D. from Monash University and his Bachelor of Engineering from The University of Melbourne. Professor Steven Wang’s research expertise lies at the synergistic domains of interface engineering and heat‑and‑mass transfer, with a specific focus on transformative impacts for energy systems. His research elucidates complex physical phenomena occurring at phase boundaries to foster innovations in energy conversion, storage, and sustainability. Prof. Wang’s academic influence is reflected by his publications in high‑impact journals, including Nature, Nature Physics, Nature Sustainability, Nature Chemical Engineering, Nature Energy, Nature Synthesis, Nature Communications, PNAS, and Science Advances.
Announced by School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering