Overview: Zhu's research group aims to understand, control and exploit the interfacial behaviors of soft materials including polymer, biopolymers, colloids and other interesting systems by using a set of novel experimental techniques. Extending from fundamental science to technical application, the interdisciplinary research focuses on structural and dynamical (diffusion and transport) of molecules at surface and interface with an emphasis on biolubrication, drug delivery, microfluidic device design and biomolecular engineering. We welcome broad collaborations with material scientists, physicists, chemists, biologists, medical doctors as well as chemical engineers.

The group uses a wide range of experimental techniques including interfacial force microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscope, molecular rheometer, atomic force microscope and a range of microscopes with particle tracking method for fast imaging analysis.