Di Gao

 

Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering

1235 Benedum Hall

412-624-8488, 9639(fax)

gaod@engr.pitt.edu

http://www.engr.pitt.edu/chemical/facstaff/gao.html

 

 

Di Gao’s research focuses on the synthesis, assembly, and characterization of novel nanostructures, as well as the integration of these nanostructures into functional devices and systems for biomedical and environmental applications. His group is particularly interested in developing artificial materials and systems that mimic the biological counterparts produced by nature. By understanding and learning the strategies that nature uses in the hierarchical assembly of nanoscale and microscale structures, his group develops biomimetic materials with attractive physical and chemical properties that far exceed current technological materials. Applications include superhydrophobic materials with self-cleaning properties for green construction, dry adhesives, implantable medical devices with improved biocompatibility, energy-harvesting systems, and biochemical and environmental sensors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) “Lotus leaf”-mimetic superhydrophobic surfaces consisting of nanowires on microscale islands. (b) A droplet of water on the surfaces shown in (a) with a contact angle of 160º. (c) “Gecko foot”-mimetic dry adhesive consisting of nanowire arrays that can adhere to almost any surface by van der Waals forces. (d) Nanoporous silicon with sub-10 nm pores. Scale bars are 10 mm, 2 mm, 5 mm, and 1 mm (200 nm inset) from (a) to (d) respectively.