Zhifang Sun (D3 : at that time), Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, received “Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad 2018”

Zhifang Sun (D3 : at that time), Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, received “Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad 2018”.

This award was established by the China Scholarship Council (CSC), and is considered to be one of the highest awards given by the Chinese government to graduate students studying aboard. Recipients of this award will receive a certificate and 6,000 US dollars granted by CSC.

<About awarded research>
Soft matters are materials that can be easily deformed, including colloids, molecular assemblies, gels, polymers, biological materials, etc. They are becoming interdisplinary frontiers, which require fundamental knowledge on physics, chemistry and biology. In my previous research, I particularly focused on 3 topics based on advanced soft matters: molecular self-assembly, hydrogels and aerogels. First, I designed and synthesized a series of short peptides that can self-assemble in water into nanofibers, which can be used in biosensors, drugs and energy electrodes. Second, I synthesized several natural biopolymer based hydrogels and synthetic polymer hydrogels as stimuli-responsive, moldable objects and light-fueled soft robots. Finally, I newly discovered a nanolaminate aerogel with surprisingly high strength and elasticity that can be used as high-performance thermal insulators.

<Comments>
It is my great honor to receive this award. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Prof. Dr. Takuzo Aida, Dr. Yasuhiro Ishida and also our lab colleagues for all of their supports. I will devote myself to studying and deepening my research.