MBSE (Materials and Biomaterials Science and Engineering)

Professor Chin's studies have focused on the application of polymer physics, microfabrication and engineering principles to biological systems. The application of the theory and tools from engineering in his work has initiated many innovative and productive research projects. These studies have brought us a better understanding of natural phenomena from the unique perspective of engineering. Professor Chin's current research plans include:

• Intracellular Ca2+ signaling in acute pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Applications of microfabrication techniques to study microenvironment effects on stem cell differentiation
• Spontaneous polymer gel assembly in aqueous environment Intracellular and intercellular signaling in unicellular phytoplankton cells

• Mechanics in biology
• Biomechanics, Mechanobiology and signaling in Chlamydomonas cilia
• Phototaxis in algae
• Biofluids and Biothermodynamics
• Multicellular motility and mechanics
• Statistical physics of active systems
• Biophysic

• Electrochemical energy conversion and storage (e.g., fuel cells and batteries)
• Next generation non-volatile memory (e.g., resistive switching memory)
• Electrochemical nano-patterning
• Nanoscale electrochemistry
• Nanoscale material interface and surface phenomena
• Scanning probe microscopy based observations

• We integrate our proficiency in controlled inorganic nanomaterial synthesis, interface engineering, organic synthesis, and 3D printing within a unified framework. 
• Our main goal is to create new material platforms that can change one type of energy or force into another effectively. This is important for batteries, fuel cells, and making chemicals with renewable energy. It's also crucial for applications like robots, sensors in biology, and artificial intelligence, among other uses.

Tissue engineering is a sub/cross discipline that focuses on the design, development and maintenance of tissue products that are used for repairing, improving or restoring tissue function. This field is still in its infancy, and many problems and challenges exist that have yet to be overcome before safe, high-quality engineered tissue products are available in the marketplace. Therefore, my research focuses on:

• Deriving and characterizing pure populations from stem cells in vitro
• Comparing the function of such cells with mature cells derived in vivo
• Using these cells towards regenerative medicine applications
• Tissue engineering and cell therapy approaches
• Cardiovascular cell lineage, but plan to expand into other cell systems long-term

Thermal and electrokinetic transport processes with applications in:

• Thermal management
• Energy storage
• Water purification
• Advanced manufacturing

• Biomolecular materials (design of materials synthesis, assembly, processing and physical optimization strategies based on examples from nature)
• Physical science and engineering of polymers and liquid crystals (structure-property-processing relationships)