Yun Liu | Polymer weatherability | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Research Awards

Ms. Yun Liu | Polymer weatherability | Research Excellence Award 

Beihua University | China

Ms. Yun Liu is an emerging researcher specializing in wood protection, modification technologies, and the environmental durability of bio-based materials. His work centers on understanding the fundamental mechanisms that govern the degradation, transformation, and performance evolution of wood when exposed to natural weathering environments. With a strong academic foundation in materials and chemical engineering, his research contributes valuable scientific insights into the stabilization and performance enhancement of lignocellulosic materials, an area of increasing global relevance as industries move toward sustainable and renewable alternatives to synthetic materials. His primary research investigates the dynamic weathering behavior of heat-treated wood, emphasizing the interconnected pathways through which physical appearance, chemical composition, and microstructural features evolve under environmental stressors. One of his notable contributions is the systematic correlation of surface characteristics—such as color, gloss, and texture—with their underlying chemical transitions, including lignin decomposition, extractive migration, and the evolution of functional groups. This integrated approach advances the understanding of how thermal modification influences the degradation trajectory of lignin, demonstrating that heat treatment does more than slow the rate of degradation; it fundamentally alters the mechanism by which lignin breaks down. This discovery provides a scientific explanation for the enhanced color stability and early-stage weathering resistance observed in thermally modified woods. His published work in peer-reviewed international journals highlights a commitment to experimental rigor, employing advanced characterization techniques such as FTIR spectroscopy, SEM imaging, chromaticity analysis, and chemical component quantification. These methods enable detailed mapping of the relationship between environmental exposure and molecular-level changes, ultimately guiding the development of more robust, weather-resistant wooden materials. Beyond analyzing degradation mechanisms, his research proposes targeted modification strategies designed to enhance wood durability. These include optimizing heat-treatment conditions, protecting susceptible chemical domains, and designing surface treatments that mitigate photodegradation and moisture-induced deterioration. His contributions offer practical benefits for architectural materials, outdoor applications, sustainable construction, and eco-friendly product design. Collectively, his research advances scientific understanding of wood-weathering processes, supports the development of durable bio-based materials, and contributes to the broader goals of sustainable materials science. His work demonstrates both academic merit and real-world relevance, positioning him as a valuable contributor to ongoing innovations in wood science and environmental materials engineering.

 Profile: Orcid

Featured Publication

Liu, Y., Gao, C., Wang, Q., Hadili, B., Miao, Y., Cui, X., & Matsumura, J. (2025). Dynamic weathering behavior of heat-treated Chinese fir: Surface properties, chemical composition, and microstructure. Polymers, 17(23), 3143. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17233143

Tiezhen Ren | Advanced Materials Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Research Awards

Prof. Tiezhen Ren | Advanced Materials Engineering | Research Excellence Award

Xinjiang university | China

Prof. Dr. Tie-Zhen Ren is a distinguished Professor at the School of Chemical Engineering, Xinjiang University, China. She obtained her Ph.D. in Inorganic Materials Chemistry from the University of Namur (FUNDP), Belgium, where she completed a thesis on hierarchically nanoporous functional materials under the supervision of Prof. Bao-Lian Su. Prior to her doctorate, she studied Polymer Engineering at Tianjin Institute of Technology and later pursued graduate studies in Plant Protection at Anhui Agricultural University. Her academic career includes serving as a Professor at Hebei University of Technology (2007–2021), conducting postdoctoral research at Stockholm University in Sweden, and working as a visiting researcher at the City College of New York. Prof. Ren’s research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of nanostructured materials, mesoporous silica and metal oxide systems, photocatalysis, environmental materials, crystalline porous germanium oxides, catalyst development, and biomass-derived functional materials. She has extensive experience with advanced characterization techniques such as TEM, SEM-EDX, XRD, FT-IR, and electrochemical systems, and actively teaches courses such as General Chemistry, Chemical Engineering Principles, Catalysis, and Technical English. Prof. Ren has been the recipient of numerous prestigious honors, including the China National Scholarship for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad, the Tianchi Talent Leader Award, and the Tianjin Natural Science Award. She has led multiple national and international research projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Ministry of Education, and Xinjiang Autonomous Region, focusing on photocatalysis, nanocatalyst design, biomass valorization, and environmental remediation. She has authored and co-authored more than 80 peer-reviewed scientific publications across high-impact journals and continues to contribute to research in sustainable chemistry, catalysis, and materials science. She is fluent in English and Chinese and has basic proficiency in French.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Huang, S., Zhang, H., Zhang, T., Li, C., Ren, T., & He, Z. (2025). High‐efficiency exfoliation of atomically‐thin non‐Van der Waals quasicrystal nanosheets with enhanced electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction performance. Small Methods. https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202501162

Song, Z.-H., Muhammad, I., Ren, T.-Z., Abulizi, A., Okitsu, K., Li, H.-R., & Zhang, X.-J. (2025, March 27). Preparation of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles via fluidized roasting and their application in the pyrolysis of spent mulching film for hydrocarbon production. ACS Sustainable Resource Management. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssusresmgt.4c00436

Han, J., Sun, L., Ulbricht, M., Fischer, L., Zhang, G., Gao, W., Lv, L., Ren, T., Liu, X., & Ren, Z. (2025). Sulfite enhanced permanganate/Fe(II) moderate oxidation coagulation for the treatment of algae-laden water: Performance and mechanisms. Chemical Engineering Journal. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2024.159084

Fu, H., Bai, H., Abulizi, A., Okitsu, K., Maeda, Y., Ren, T., & Wang, S. (2024). Surfactant-enhanced ZnOₓ/CaO catalytic activity for ultrasound-assisted biodiesel production from waste cooking oil. Reaction Chemistry & Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RE00306J

Cui, M.-J., Li, S.-S., Ren, T., Abulizi, A., & Nulahong, A.-S. (2024). Boosting BaTi₄O₉ photocatalytic H₂ evolution activity by functionalized CuNi alloy. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphotochem.2024.115834

Cui, M.-J., Muhammad, I., Feng, J., & Ren, T. (2024). Isopropanol assisted preparation of α–Al₂O₃ nanoparticles and its surface charge investigation. Solid State Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2024.107706