Ken Lau, Ph.D.
Ken Lau, Ph.D.
Ken Lau, Ph.D.
Chemical Engineering Professor and Department Head
Biography
Education:
Postdoctoral Associate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
B.Eng., Chemical Engineering, National University of Singapore
Impactful Research Areas:
Health
Biomedical
Sustainability
Sustainable Materials & Processes
Renewable Energy
Research Expertise:
Polymer Thin Films and Devices, Energy Capture, Energy Storage, Supercapacitors, Batteries, Interfacial Engineering, Surface Modification, Chemical Vapor Deposition
Research program focuses on chemical vapor deposition (CVD) approaches to create polymer thin films and coatings for applications in renewable energy (photovoltaics, supercapacitors, batteries), biomedicine (implants, hydrogels, smart release, biocompatibility), sensors (piezoresistivity), and surface/interfacial engineering (superhydrophilicity, superhydrophobicity, superomniphobicity, patterning, self-assembly). Research applies fundamental principles of chemical engineering thermodynamics, heterogeneous nucleation, and reaction kinetics to achieve unique polymer behavior and properties at the nanoscale and in confinement.
Honors and Awards:
DoEd GAANN Director (2019–2022)
NSF CAREER Award (2008)
Professional Memberships:
AIChE (American Institute of Chemical Engineers)
ACS (American Chemical Society)
MRS (Materials Research Society)
Sigma Xi