Zhiqi (John) Hu

PROFILE:

• Ph.D. chemical engineer with proven research leadership experience in laboratory safety management, R&D strategic planning, technical support, design of experiment, quality improvement methodologies, process optimization, performance management, multitasking, and team building

• Demonstrate technical proficiency and in-depth understanding in chemical analysis (FTIR, GC, LC, MS, GPC, HPLC, NMR, DLS, UV-Vis), organic synthesis, thermal analysis (DSC, TGA), morphology analysis (AFM, SEM, TEM, XRD, GIWAXS, ToF-SIMS, optical profilometer), cleanroom facilities, and electrochemical device fabrication

• Adept in directing and conducting technical problem solving, analytical method development, and testing activities

• Well-developed skills in software (ChemCAD, Aspen, Matlab, SolidWorks, Visio, Excel, Word) and data analysis

• First-hand experience in SOP writing, equipment maintenance, user training, hazardous waste handling

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills. Enthusiastic, results-oriented, and team player EDUCATION:

Rice University, Houston, TX 08/2014 – 12/2019

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering

Dissertation: Molecular Engineering for Efficient and Mechanically Robust Polymer Solar Cells Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN 08/2010 – 06/2014 B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Double Major in Mathematics WORK EXPERIENCE:

Research Scientist Intern at Sekisui Specialty Chemicals, Houston, TX 06/2018 – 08/2018

• Designed and optimized DOE to produce high purity polyvinyl alcohol to meet industrial requirements

• Performed large scale polymer synthesis and separation for polyvinyl alcohol mixtures

• Characterized physical and chemical properties for PEG grafted polyvinyl alcohols. These allowed the screening of optimal reaction conditions and helped to establish efficacy of water-soluble packages

• Improved yield of PEG grafted polyvinyl alcohol from 82 % to 95 % by identifying dominating factors during polymer synthesis

• Optimized processing condition of PEG grafted polyvinyl alcohol film and enhanced mechanical stability by increasing breakdown elongational strain from 74 % to 120 % Teaching Assistant at Rice University, Houston, TX 09/2014 – 12/2017

• Designed experimental topics and set up experiments for undergraduate senior laboratory course

• Mentored 40 students each semester on safety issues that could occur in the laboratory and in real world industry

• Trained students on laboratory instruments to acquire and process experimental data

• Graded weekly lab reports, prelab quiz, and final poster presentations Homework Hotline Tutor at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN 01/2011 – 05/2012

• Assisted more than 300 high school students in Indiana with their homework problems on phone

• Set up review guidelines for mid-term and final exams to help them learn in an efficient approach RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:

Summary of research contributions: My research involves polymer synthesis and characterization, chemical analysis, thin film coating, interfacial chemistry, and solar cell device fabrication. A general objective is to acquire high efficiency and mechanically stable organic solar cells. In order to achieve the goal, a variety of polymers and small molecules were synthesized, characterized, mechanically analyzed and solution processed as active layer materials in organic solar cells. This research can also be applied in wearable and biocompatible electronics. Graduate Research Highlights, Rice University, Houston, TX 08/2014 – Present

• Designed and synthesized the first reported conjugated block copolymer with spacers to quantitatively analyze and clarify failure mechanism of charge separation in organic solar cells

• Separated and characterized polymers and small molecules by column purification and chromatography to determine mixture components

6100 Main St, Houston, TX, 77005

Phone: 812-***-**** Email: adfmb7@r.postjobfree.com

• Accomplished comprehensive analysis on morphology and crystallization of polymeric materials by small and wide angle X-ray scattering. This analysis points out direction toward structural engineering of light sensitive materials to achieve high efficiency solar cells

• Optimized thin film fabrication process and doubled the power conversion efficiency of polymer based solar cells from 5 % to 10 %

• Invented unique designs by incorporating elastomer networks through thiol-ene polymerization to improve mechanical strain of organic solar cell up to 20 % while maintain its electronic performance

• Conducted chemical analysis for samples provided by collaborators and generated detailed analysis report

• Led team-based project by designing and installing floating test instrument to analyze mechanical properties of polymer thin films

• Collaborated with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and developed charge transfer theories through density functional analysis as guidance of polymer active layer synthesis for high efficiency solar cells

• Collaborated with scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory to design and setup swelling analysis for block copolymer films

• Presented quarterly regular research updates before a discipline-rich audience, communicating analysis results to chemists, materials scientist, data scientist, and occasionally molecular biologists PUBLICATION & PATENT:

• “Network-Stabilized Bulk Heterojunction Organic Photovoltaics”, WO/2019/089776

• Hu, Sun, Lin, Jackson, Terlier, Owolabi, Mei, Li, Wang, Sidhik, Hao, Yao, Mohite, Verduzco. “Improved Mechanical Durability of High Performance OPVs Using Semi Interpenetrating Networks”, Adv. Opt. Mater., 2020, 2000516

• Mok, Hu (Co-first author), Sun, Barth, Munoz, Jackson, Terlier, Yager, Verduzco. “Network-Stabilized Bulk Heterojunction Organic Photovoltaics” Chem. Mater., 2018, 30 (22), pp 8314–8321 (Featured by Rice News)

• Hu, Jakowskij, Zheng, Collison, Strzalka, Sumpter, Verduzco “An Experimental and Computational Study of Donor-Linker-Acceptor Block Copolymers for Organic Photovoltaics”, J. Polym. Sci. B Polym. Phys., 2018, 56, pp 1135-1143 (Featured in Advanced Science News)

• Mei, Mah, Hu, Li, Terlier, Stein, Verduzco. “Rapid Processing of Bottlebrush Coatings through UV-Induced Crosslinking”, ACS Macro Lett., 2020, 9, 1135-1142

• Li, Park, Sarang, Mei, Tseng, Hu, Zhu, Li, Lutkenhaus, Verduzco. “Mixed Ionic-Electronic Conductive Redox Polymers for High-Performance Batteries”, Energ. Environ. Sci., 2020, Submitted

• Zhu, Hu, Li, Rogers, Barnes, Mei. Tseng, Sassi, Rahman, Ajayan, Verduzco. “Tensile Test of Imine-Linked Covalent Organic Framework Films on Water Surface”, In Revision CONFERENCES:

• Hu and Verduzco “Global Modern Photovoltaic Industry”, Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, TX, May 6, 2019

• Hu, Mok, Verduzco “Interpenetrating Thiol-ene Networks for Flexible Bulk-Heterojunction Organic Solar Cells”, American Institute of Chemical Engineering Conference Minneapolis, MN, November 2, 2017

• Hu, Jakowskij, Zheng, Collison, Strzalka, Sumpter and Verduzco “An Experimental and Computational Study of Donor-Linker-Acceptor Block Copolymers for Organic Photovoltaics”, Center of Nanophase Materials Science Conference, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Knoxville, TN, July 31, 2017

• Hu, Jakowski, Sumpter, Verduzco “Synthesis and Optoelectronic Properties for Conjugated Block Copolymer”, American Physical Society Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 15, 2017 LEADERSHIP & ACTIVITIES:

President of Rice Chinese Christian Fellowship 05/2016 – 10/2019

• Exercised major responsibilities and leadership by operating a 50-member campus organization

• Organized several citywide events including high school campus volunteer work and winter clothing donation

• Coordinated weekly group meeting and bible studies Mentor of REU and REEMS Research Program 06/2015 – 08/2019

• Trained 8 summer students from various universities on polymer research and lab safety

• Designed weekly research schedule and specified projects for summer students

• Proactively supported the program organizer by providing feedback for undergraduate research education

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