Meet the Researcher: Chunchun Ye

Spotlight on Chunchun Ye

What inspired you to pursue your current research area, and how did you become interested in membranes?

I’ve been aware of pressing environmental and energy challenges—such as water and air pollution, climate change, and our dependence on fossil fuels—since primary school. Seeing these issues highlighted regularly in the media and daily life made me want to contribute to sustainable solutions.

Membranes stood out to me because they offer scalable, energy-efficient approaches to tackling many of these problems. From carbon capture and clean energy to water purification and resource recovery, membranes play a crucial role. Recognising their potential to address global challenges inspired me to focus on developing advanced membrane materials and processes—contributing, I hope, to a greener future.

Can you explain your research in a way that someone outside your field might understand?

I design and create special materials full of tiny holes, then use them to make membranes—think of them as incredibly fine sieves. These membranes can separate mixtures at the molecular level. They’re useful in many areas: cleaning water, reducing pollution, improving batteries, and making industrial processes more efficient. By tailoring the pore structure, I can control what passes through and what stays behind—helping to solve real-world environmental and energy problems.

What key challenge does your research aim to solve, and why is it important?

A core challenge in membrane science is developing materials that can precisely separate specific molecules. This precision is essential to unlock the full potential of membrane processes, which are often much more energy-efficient than traditional methods.

Precise molecular separation is vital in technologies like water purification, gas separation, and energy storage. By advancing the design of functional materials, my research supports more practical and sustainable solutions for these critical areas.

Have you had any ‘eureka’ moments or small wins in the lab?

Yes—one particularly exciting moment was when I demonstrated highly selective separation using a polymer membrane I had designed. It solved a persistent challenge and confirmed that my materials concept worked in practice. It was a great reminder of why I love research: turning ideas into real-world results.

How does your project contribute to the wider goals of the SynHiSel programme?

My work directly supports SynHiSel’s mission by advancing the design of materials for high-performance, selective membrane separations. While I currently focus on polymer membranes for hydrocarbon separations, the strategies I develop are adaptable to a wide range of separation challenges across the programme.

By aligning my material design approach with SynHiSel’s broader objectives, I contribute to developing next-generation membranes that can help enable more sustainable and efficient chemical manufacturing.

What do you enjoy most about working within SynHiSel, and have any collaborations stood out?

What I value most about SynHiSel is its strong culture of cross-institutional collaboration. Workshops and events provide great opportunities to exchange ideas, tackle complex challenges, and benefit from diverse perspectives on membrane innovation.

One standout collaboration began at a 2023 SynHiSel meeting, where I identified strong synergy between Andrew Livingston’s group at QMUL and our materials design efforts in Edinburgh. This led to a joint project, supported by SynHiSel’s exchange funding. During a three-month visit to QMUL, we successfully validated a new material concept—work that eventually led to my joining Andrew’s group.

This kind of collaborative ecosystem, made possible through targeted funding and shared goals, has both accelerated my research and deepened my understanding of how to solve real-world separation problems.

Outside of the lab, what keeps you motivated or inspired during your research journey?

Hiking is a big source of inspiration for me. The UK has so many scenic trails, and I often turn to the outdoors when I need to recharge—especially during times of research setbacks or uncertainty.

Being in nature helps clear my mind, and observing the landscape gives me a fresh sense of perspective. I’ve even had unexpected insights from conversations with fellow hikers. Hiking reminds me to stay curious and humble—there’s always more to learn and discover. In that way, the journey through the mountains and the journey through research feel remarkably similar.