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Bengt Lundqvists minne: He will study microdroplet chemistry at Stanford

Penghui Ding Photo: private
Penghui Ding
Photo: private

Penghui Ding is one of the receivers of the Bengt Lundqvist postdoctoral grant 2024. 

Penghui Ding holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Chemistry and a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering and Technology, both from China. He left China in September 2019 to pursue PhD studies at Linköping University.

He received his PhD in Applied Physics in March this year. His research focused on organic materials-based electrochemical flow cells for energy applications, such as electrolyzers and flow batteries. His thesis can be found here: Organic Materials-based Electrochemical Flow Cells for Energy Applications (2024).

The postdoctoral grant from the Bengt Lundqvists minne foundation will fund his research project at Stanford University, USA.

What will you do in your project?

– I will explore the use of aqueous microdroplet interfaces to enhance reaction kinetics for green chemical synthesis, biological systems, and even in studies on the origin of life.

What are your hopes for this research in the future?

– One possible application is the large-scale chemical production for sustainable technologies, such as hydrogen fuel cell trucks and grid-scale batteries, using green and cheap water microdroplets without complicated and expensive reactors. In the long term, it might lead to a detailed understanding of our body and how life began on Earth.

Why did you choose to go to Stanford University?

– Stanford University is one of the world’s leading research universities. Prof. Richard N. Zare, the host for my postdoc training at Stanford University, is one of the most active groups working on microdroplet chemistry. Prof. Zare also has some connections with the Swedish chemistry community: he has honorary doctorates from Uppsala University (2000) and Chalmers Institute of Technology (2007) and is a foreign member of the Swedish Royal Academy of Engineering Sciences, IVA.

How long will you be at Stanford?

– I will probably spend two years in Prof. Zare’s lab.

What does the money from Bengt Lundqvists minne mean to you?

– I must say a big thank you to Bengt Lundqvist minne because it is not easy to find money to support someone receiving postdoc training in an emerging subject which is different from the previous PhD studies!

The Bengt Lundqvists minne foundation annually awards scholarships in the field of chemistry. These scholarships are given to two postdoctoral researchers who plan to conduct research outside of Sweden. A group of scholarships are also awarded to other research exchanges that take place abroad, to teachers, and to activities “that promote youth education in the field of chemistry.” Read more about the Foundation and its scholarships here.