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chbeillinois.bsky.social
ChBE Illinois
@chbeillinois.bsky.social
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The official account of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
chbe.illinois.edu
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chbeillinois.bsky.social
ChBE prof Huimin Zhao was named to the 2025 Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researchers list, which recognizes scientists who have demonstrated exceptional influence, as reflected through multiple papers frequently cited by their peers during the last decade. chbe.illinois.edu/news/stories...
Zhao one of twelve Illinois scientists ranked among the world’s most influential
Zhao one of twelve Illinois scientists ranked among the world’s most influential
chbe.illinois.edu
November 14, 2025 at 5:56 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
A new study led by ChBE professor Xiao Su demonstrates a commercially viable method for extracting lithium from used battery waste, using an electrochemically driven recovery process.

news.illinois.edu/study-shows-...
Study shows new hope for commercially attractive lithium extraction from spent batteries – News Bureau
news.illinois.edu
November 13, 2025 at 4:34 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
Join us on Monday, November 17, at 3 pm in 217 Noyes for an alumni lecture presented by John Bartels. Bartels earned his BS from the department in 1989 and joined BP following his graduation. After 35 years with BP, he went on to launch Potential Energy LLC, his own consulting and coaching company.
Blue graphic featuring a photo of speaker John Bartels. The date and time of the event, as well as its location, are listed. A description of Bartel's background is also included on the post.
November 12, 2025 at 2:27 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
In this Q&A, ChBE assistant professor Theresa Schoetz discusses her research, a published article that has been recently recognized as the most cited in Electrochimica Acta and the challenges that she has faced in the field.

chbe.illinois.edu/news/stories...
Q&A with assistant professor Theresa Schoetz
Q&A with assistant professor Theresa Schoetz
chbe.illinois.edu
November 10, 2025 at 3:19 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
A new AI-powered tool called EZSpecificity combines enzyme-substrate docking data and a machine learning algorithm to predict the best pairing for making a desired product, with up to 91.7% accuracy. ChBE professor Huimin Zhao led the study.

chbe.illinois.edu/news/stories...
New AI tool helps match enzymes to substrates
New AI tool helps match enzymes to substrates
chbe.illinois.edu
October 16, 2025 at 2:06 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
Meet LassoESM, a lasso peptide-tailored protein language model developed by a team from the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. ChBE professor Diwakar Shukla, project co-leader, has provided valuable insights into machine learning knowledge.

chbe.illinois.edu/news/stories...
Learning the language of lasso peptides to improve peptide engineering
Learning the language of lasso peptides to improve peptide engineering
chbe.illinois.edu
October 8, 2025 at 1:29 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
Illinois researchers Alexa Kuenstler, Simon Rogers, Damien Guironnet and Antonia Statt are part of a four-year project selected for funding by the NSF DMREF program, to design polymers critical for next-gen computer chips.
NSF funds DMREF project to design polymers critical for next-gen computer chips
NSF funds DMREF project to design polymers critical for next-gen computer chips
chbe.illinois.edu
October 2, 2025 at 7:39 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
Professors Charles Sing (ChBE) and Cecilia Lea (MatSE) are part of a multi-institutional team working to create new, biological-based membranes that can be made without the use of toxins.

chbe.illinois.edu/news/stories...
Team awarded $2 million to develop new separation membranes inspired by biological cells
Team awarded $2 million to develop new separation membranes inspired by biological cells
chbe.illinois.edu
September 25, 2025 at 3:28 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
ChBE professor Deborah Leckband has been named a 2026 Fellow of the Biophysical Society for her "pathbreaking research in biophysics that has transformed our understanding of fundamental mechanisms of biomolecular mechanics and force transduction". Congratulations!

chbe.illinois.edu/news/stories...
Leckband named 2026 Fellow of the Biophysical Society
Leckband named 2026 Fellow of the Biophysical Society
chbe.illinois.edu
September 25, 2025 at 1:38 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
Congratulations to ChBE grad student Afia Subhani and Chemistry grad student Micah Robinson, recipients of the Gender Equity in the Chemical Sciences Inclusive Leadership Award. We couldn't be prouder of these students for modeling inclusive excellence on campus!
Photo of Gender Equity in the Chemical Sciences Inclusive Leadership Award recipients. ChBE grad student Afia Subhani is on the left, and Chemistry grad student Micah Robinson is on the right.
September 17, 2025 at 2:02 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
ChBE professor Ying Diao will lead a team of researchers who have received a $2M grant to revolutionize electronic and energy materials by advancing knowledge in the fields of semiconducting polymers, chirality-induced spin selectivity and electrocatalysis. chbe.illinois.edu/news/stories...
Inspired by nature: researchers receive $2M grant to develop chiral electronics
Inspired by nature: researchers receive $2M grant to develop chiral electronics
chbe.illinois.edu
September 12, 2025 at 12:41 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
ChBE professor Alexa Kuenstler has been recognized by the College of LAS as a Lincoln Excellence for Assistant Professors (LEAP) Scholar for her contributions in research and teaching. She is one of six professors who received the honor. Congratulations!

chbe.illinois.edu/news/stories...
Kuenstler named LEAP scholar for contributions in teaching and research
Kuenstler named LEAP scholar for contributions in teaching and research
chbe.illinois.edu
September 10, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Reposted by ChBE Illinois
profharley.bsky.social
New Opinion out today in @chicagotribune.com

"The Bio10 is an academic powerhouse."

"The health of our society depends on generations of young students equipped to embrace, and succeed in the face of, uncertainty."

www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/02/o...
Chicago Tribune Op-Ed, 9/2/2025: The health of our society depends on students equipped to embrace uncertainty
September 2, 2025 at 1:15 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
ChBE Illinois researchers have unveiled a new framework for understanding and controlling the behavior of granular hydrogels — microscopic gel particles that mimic living tissue — paving the way for designing better biomaterials.
chbe.illinois.edu/news/stories...
Illinois researchers unlock new insights into granular hydrogels for biomedical applications
Illinois researchers unlock new insights into granular hydrogels for biomedical applications
chbe.illinois.edu
August 29, 2025 at 9:10 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
ChBE Illinois is seeking an Office Support Associate to assist in the department's business and student services offices and provide backup to other positions. Come join our friendly, dedicated team! Deadline to apply: September 10, 2025.

illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
August 28, 2025 at 1:53 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
NSF has awarded $20M in Phase 2 funding to the Center for Single-Entity Nanochemistry and Nanocrystal Design. As part of the project, ChBE prof. Paul Kenis will help with experiments that highlight how individual nanocrystals behave.

chbe.illinois.edu/news/stories...
NSF funds Phase 2 of multi-institutional nanocrystal research center
NSF funds Phase 2 of multi-institutional nanocrystal research center
chbe.illinois.edu
August 19, 2025 at 2:30 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
With a new five-year, $15M award, the NSF has renewed its support of the Molecule Maker Lab Institute, which develops AI tools for discovery and synthesis of molecules for uses in medicine, energy, industry and more. chbe.illinois.edu/news/stories...

@moleculemaker.bsky.social
NSF reinvests in Molecule Maker Lab Institute, AI tools to solve chemistry’s challenges
NSF reinvests in Molecule Maker Lab Institute, AI tools to solve chemistry’s challenges
chbe.illinois.edu
July 29, 2025 at 4:10 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
A new spin on salad dressing 🥗 Researchers at Illinois have developed an innovative approach to addressing food waste and carbon emissions through the design of a catalyst for converting food waste-derived biocrude to sustainable aviation fuel.

chbe.illinois.edu/news/stories...
Illinois researchers pair nanocatalysts, food waste to reduce carbon emissions in aviation
Illinois researchers pair nanocatalysts, food waste to reduce carbon emissions in aviation
chbe.illinois.edu
July 9, 2025 at 2:35 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
ChBE professor Hong Yang has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, their highest professional award. RSC Fellows are recognized for their outstanding contributions to the chemical sciences. 🏆

chbe.illinois.edu/news/stories...
Yang named Royal Society of Chemistry Fellow
Yang named Royal Society of Chemistry Fellow
chbe.illinois.edu
July 2, 2025 at 4:49 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
Led by ChBE professor Huimin Zhao, a team of innovative researchers combined the use of AI and automated biology to improve the performance of two important industrial enzymes. chbe.illinois.edu/news/stories...
Self-driving lab: AI and automated biology combine to improve enzymes
Self-driving lab: AI and automated biology combine to improve enzymes
chbe.illinois.edu
July 2, 2025 at 2:05 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
Recycling reinvented!♻️A new study by prof. Baron Peters’ research group offers a model that addresses a key obstacle to efficient plastic recycling.

chbe.illinois.edu/news/stories...
Model tackles key obstacle to efficient plastic recycling
Model tackles key obstacle to efficient plastic recycling
chbe.illinois.edu
June 24, 2025 at 4:09 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
ChBE professor Paul Kenis has received the 2025 Carl Wagner Memorial Award from the Electrochemical Society, in recognition of excellence in research and teaching. 🔷🔶

chbe.illinois.edu/news/stories...
Kenis receives Carl Wagner Memorial Award
Kenis receives Carl Wagner Memorial Award
chbe.illinois.edu
June 12, 2025 at 4:48 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
Researchers at ChBE Illinois have found a path to perform efficient, sustainable enantiomer separations, of importance for drug screening and manufacturing, using planar chiral polymers and electrochemistry.
chbe.illinois.edu/news/stories...

@uofigrainger.bsky.social @lasillinois.bsky.social
Custom-designed polymers open new path to electrochemical separations for sustainable drug manufacturing
Custom-designed polymers open new path to electrochemical separations for sustainable drug manufacturing
chbe.illinois.edu
May 30, 2025 at 2:27 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
Congratulations to ChBE undergrad, Anggana Yudono! 🎊Yudono is one of the Gilman scholarship recipients and will have the opportunity to study in Denmark.

chbe.illinois.edu/news/stories...
ChBE Undergraduate Receives Gilman Scholarship
ChBE Undergraduate Receives Gilman Scholarship
chbe.illinois.edu
May 29, 2025 at 3:48 PM
chbeillinois.bsky.social
Congratulations to graduate student Génesis Ríos-Adorno in @profharley.bsky.social's lab who received an Outstanding Mentor award during the C2 awards ceremony on April 28. She is a mentor to ChBE undergraduate Stephenie Merchan, who nominated her for the award.
Génesis Ríos-Adorno poses with her award certificate in front of a C2 Chemical Sciences through community sign.
May 6, 2025 at 8:29 PM