Yi-Xin Liu

Department of Macromolecular Science
Fudan University
Chemistry Bldg. Room B3083, 2005 Songhu Rd.
Shanghai 200438, China
Office: +86-21-31242883
Mobile: +86-18117210989
Email: lyx@fudan.edu.cn
Research Group Homepage: http://www.yxliu.group

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Research Interests

  • Multiscale computer simulations and theoretical studies of complex fluids, e.g. block copolymers, polymer brushes, polyelectrolytes, and biological macromolecules in bulk and under confinements, and directed self-assembly of block copolymers (DSA).

  • Numerical algorithms for field-theoretic simulations, molecular dynamics simulations, Monte-Carlo simulations, and phase field simulations.

  • Thin and ultrathin film polymer crystallization.

Research Experience

Associate Professor, 2019 - present
Lecturer, 2012 - 2018
Fudan University, Department of Macromolecular Science

  • Directed self-assembly of block copolymers under soft confinements: nanostructures design and the mechanism of defect removal.

  • Developing highly efficient numerical algorithms for computing self-assembly of block copolymers in bulk and under soft confinements based on polymer theoretic-field simulations.

Visiting Researcher, 2014 - 2016
University of California, Santa Barbara, Materials Research Laboratory

  • Conducted complex Langevin field-theoretic simulations of polymeric materials under thermal fluctuations.

  • Developed a density functional model for polymeric systems under thermal fluctuations.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, 2009 - 2012
Fudan University, Department of Macromolecular Science

  • Developed high performance numerical methods for studying the equilibrium phase separation structures of charged block copolymers.

  • Performed Monte Carlo simulations on the nucleation and growth process in thickening of monolayer poly(ethylene oxide) crystals in ultrathin films.

Ph.D. Candidate, 2004 - 2009
Peking University, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering

  • Conducted phase field simulations on morphological evolution of monolayer poly(ethylene oxide) crystals.

  • Carried out experimental studies on the nucleation, growth, thickening, and melting of monolayer poly(ethylene oxide) crystals in ultrathin films using in-situ atomic force microscopy.

Undergraduate Student, 2003 - 2004
Nanjing University, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

  • Synthesized three amphiphilic ligands and their complexes with Cu^2+.

  • Computed surface properties of supported catalysts using Gaussian 98.

Education

PhD in Polymer Chemistry and Physics, 2004-2009
Peking University, Beijing, China
Disertation: Phase Selection Pathways and Morphological Evolution in Polymer Crystallization: An Experimental and Theoretical Study on Low Molecular Weight Poly(ethylene oxide) Fractions
Advisor: Prof. Er-Qiang Chen

BS in Chemistry, 2000-2004
Nanjing University, Nanjing

Research Grants

  • General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC): Exploration and Design of Nontrivial Mesostructures of Polymeric Materials under Complex Conditions. PI, No. 21873021, 744K RMB (110K USD) 2019.1-2022.12.

  • Shanghai Pujiang Program: Exploring Novel Nanostructures Through Mircophase Separation of Block Copolymers under Soft Confinements. PI, No. 18PJ1401200, 200K RMB (30K USD), 2018.7-2020.7

  • Young Scientists Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC): Computer Simulation Study of Pattern Formation in Ultrathin Film Polymer Crystallization. PI, No. 21004013, 180K RMB (28K USD) 2011.1-2013.12.

  • Shanghai Postdoctoral Scientific Program: Computer Simulation Study of Ordered Structures Self-Assembled from Concentrated Solutions of Weakly Charged Block Copolymers. PI, No. 11R21411400, 40K (6K USD) 2011.1-2011.12.

Publications

Please visit my publication list.

Honors and Awards

  • Scholarship awarded by China Scholar Council, 2014-2015

  • Dongkong Scholarship for Graduates, Peking University, 2008

  • Student Award of Merit, Peking University, 2008

  • Renming Scholarship, Nanjing University, 2000-2003

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • Member: American Physical Society

  • Reviewer: Polymer, Review of Scientific Instruments, Chinese Physics B

Teaching Experience

Instructor: Polymer Physics, 2014, 2017-2023
Fudan University, Department of Macromolecular Science
Core undergraduate course, 30+ students, 15-week, 3-credit. Co-instructors: Prof. Hong-Dong Zhang and Prof. Jian-Feng Li.

Instructor: Introduction to Polymeric Materials, 2016-2023
Fudan University, Department of Macromolecular Science
Undergraduate course, 20+ students, 15-week, 2-credit. Co-instructor: Prof. Jia Guo.

Instructor: Quantitative Chemical Analysis Experiments, 2006, 2007
Peking University, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering
Undergraduate experimental course, 17 students, 15-week, 2-credit.

Computational Experience

  • Julia, Python, C/C++, Parallel Programming (MPI, GPU/CUDA), Matlab, HTML/CSS, LaTeX.

  • Familiar with Linux, FluxML, SciML, Tensorflow, Numpy/Scipy, FFTW, Armadillo, blitz++.

  • Open source projects: Please visit the software list.

Technical Experience

TEM Administrator, 2009 - 2012
Fudan University, Department of Macromolecular Science

  • Assisted the engineer from FEI company to install and test FEI Technai G2 20 Twin with cryo, low dose, and 3D tomography.

  • Wrote the lab manual for operating TEM.

SAXS Administrator, 2008 - 2009
Peking University, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering

  • Assisted the engineer from Anton Paar company to install and test SAXSess.

  • Developed software toolkits to analyze SAXS curves.

AFM Administrator, 2006 - 2009
Peking University, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering

  • Developed a user management system for controlling AFM.

  • Developed software toolkits to analyze AFM images.

  • Trained more than 20 users, including faculties, staffs, and graduate students.