Research
MAIN ACTIVITIES
We are developing a new听in-situ听spectroscopy tool to observe the birth of morphology: the phase transition during molecular aggregation process. In many systems, molecules self-assemble in ordered fashion such as fibers, helical coils and crystals etc. and manifest interesting properties collectively. One therefore says that morphology is the origin of life and function. The first step of these morphology formation, so-called nucleation, occurs at nano-meter scale and stochastically both in time and space. This stochastic nature has prevented scientists from experimentally observing the event for long time, although understanding this process is critical for rationally designing drugs and materials. We will tackle this problem based on single molecule spectroscopy type approach to achieve the first real-time experimental observation of nucleation, 鈥渢he birth of morphology鈥�.
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Development of Single crystal nucleation spectroscopy (SCNS)
Selected publications:
In situ optical Spectroscopy of Crystallization: One crystal nucleation at a time, PNAS, 2022, 119 (16) e2122990119 ()
The effect of salt additive on glycine crystallization pathway revealed by studying one crystal nucleation at a time. PNAS, 2025, 122 (10) e2419638122 ()
In situ Raman microspectroscopy
Selected publications:
- Combined in vitro and in vivo investigation of barite microcrystals in Spirogyra (Zygnematophyceae, Charophyta), Journal of Plant Physiology, 2022, 276, 153769 ()
- Beauty and Complexity of Calcium Carbonate Precipitation: Optical Microscopy and in situ Raman Microspectroscopy Observation, Crystal Growth and Design, 2025, 25 (2), 210-224 ()
Time-resolved dynamic light scattering
Selected publications:
- Towards time resolved dynamic light scatterng microscopy: Retrieving particle size distributions at high temporal resolutions, Review of Scientific instruments, 2023, 94, 083101 ()
- Binning method for artifact-free time-tag based correlation function calculations, Optics Letters, 2024, 49, 16, 4569-4572 ()