Speaker

Jianjun Wang

Time

2025.03.26 16:00-17:30

Abstract

Ice formation plays a fundamental role in natural and technological processes, profoundly influencing climate dynamics, weather patterns, environmental systems, and industrial applications. Given its broad significance, understanding the mechanisms of ice formation and developing effective regulatory strategies remain critical scientific and technological challenges.

In this report, leveraging the boundary effects of nanoparticles on critical ice nuclei, the transient and stochastic existence of nano-scale critical ice nuclei was experimentally detected for the first time. This discovery elucidated the formation mechanism of critical ice nuclei and validated the applicability of classical nucleation theory at the atomic scale.

Inspired by rime ice, a novel anti-icing coating with ultra-low ice adhesion was developed by incorporating ice-nucleating nanoparticles on the surface, facilitating ice crystal growth away from the substrate. This breakthrough overcame the mechanical limitations of conventional superhydrophobic anti-icing coatings. Furthermore, a molecular mechanism was proposed to achieve efficient ice control by ensuring complete spreading of ice-controlling materials at the ice-water interface.

Additionally, a series of ice-controlling cryopreservation materials with both hydrophilic and ice-philic properties were designed and applied to the cryopreservation of oocytes and hematopoietic stem cells. This approach eliminated the dependence on toxic small molecules such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in conventional cryopreservation reagents, significantly improving post-thaw cell viability and functionality.

Bio

Prof. Jianjun Wang has been the principal investigator for several key research projects, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China’s Distinguished Young Scholars Fund and Major Research Plan. Over the past five years, he has published numerous papers as a corresponding author in prestigious journals such as Nature, Science Advances, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, PNAS, and Journal of the American Chemical Society. He has filed 19 PCT international patent applications, which have entered seven countries including the United States. He has also been granted 53 Chinese invention patents, with some having been successfully transferred. The research achievements of Professor Jianjun Wang have been highlighted by Nature, Nature Reviews Materials, and the BBC. He has been invited multiple times to deliver keynote or plenary speeches at major international conferences, such as the Gordon Research Conferences in the USA. His contributions have been recognized through awards including the Ninth Overseas Chinese Contribution Award and the First Prize of Beijing Natural Science Award (first-ranked among five recipients).