Research Overview

Our research focuses on advanced laser manufacturing, integrating the physics of fundamental laser–matter interactions with emerging digital fabrication technologies. We develop high-precision, scalable approaches that bridge materials science, photonics, and advanced engineering to solve critical global challenges in sustainability, healthcare, robotics, and energy storage.

Core Methodologies

1. Direct Laser Writing (DLW)

We investigate the fundamental physical interactions between lasers and target substrates to enable precise, programmable material modification, synthesis, and localized micro/nanoscale structuring. This work establishes robust, physics-informed strategies for next-generation additive and subtractive manufacturing across a wide range of functional materials.

2. Laser Printing & Guided Self-Assembly

We develop innovative laser-based deposition and digital transfer techniques for high-resolution material positioning. Key areas include:

  • Laser-Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT): Achieving highly controlled, maskless, and electroplating-based material transfer with high spatial resolution.
  • Laser-Guided Self-Assembly: Inducing physical and structural phase transitions to drive the autonomous rolling or structuring of thin films into functional 3D micro-rolls, swimmers, and microcilia arrays.

Application Frontiers

Wearable, Bio-Integrated Electronics & Smart Textiles

We utilize direct laser writing and laser-printed nanomaterials to develop skin-integrated electronics, smart textiles, and flexible circuits. These platforms support continuous non-invasive health monitoring, sports rehabilitation assessment, and human-machine interaction (HMI).

Publications:

  • X. Lu, H. Zhong, S. Chen, C. Yang, Y. Chen, Y. Pan, M. G. Li*; Recent Advances and Prospects in Skin Integrated Electronics: Flexible Sensing Systems for Robotics, Human Machine Interaction, and Health Monitoring. Advanced Materials, 2026, e73436.
  • R. Gong, Y. Chen, M. Kim, M. G. Li*; Direct Laser Writing of Functional Materials for Wearable Human Machine Interaction: Mechanisms, Materials, and Applications. Advanced Materials Technologies, 2026, e01560.
  • R. Gong, H. Zhong, M. G. Li*; KneeSense: A Smart-Textile Knee Brace for In Situ Form Assessment in Remote Training and Rehabilitation. Proceedings of the 3rd ACM Workshop on Smart Wearable Systems and Applications, 2025.
  • Y. Huang, H. Zhong, R. Yang, Y. Pan, J. Lin, C. K. W. Lee, S. Chen, M. Tan, X. Lu, W. Y. Poon, Q. Yuan, and M. G. Li*; Multifunctional Laser-induced Graphene Circuits and Laser-Printed Nanomaterials toward Non-Invasive Human Kidney Function Monitoring. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2024, 259, 116386.
  • Y. Huang, R. Yang, M. G. Li*; Recent Advances in Laser Manufacturing: Multifunctional Integrative Sensing Systems for Human Health and Gas Monitoring. Advanced Functional Materials, 2024, 34 (45), 2407503.
  • J. Lin, Z. Zhu, C. F. Cheung, F. Yan, G. Li*; Digital Manufacturing of Functional Materials for Wearable Electronics. Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 2020, 8, 10587–10603.

Advanced Droplet Transport & Micro-Actuators (Cilia & Swimmers)

By coupling laser engineering with superwetting, magnetic, or photothermal material responses, we manufacture bio-inspired microcilia arrays, untethered small-scale swimmers, and intelligent microheaters for dynamic droplet manipulation and environmental control.

Publications:

  • M. Tan, R. Gong, Y. Chen, M. Kim, X. Lu, H. Liu, R. Yang, Y. Xu, H. Zhong, M. G. Li*; Scalable Laser Manufacturing of High Aspect Ratio Superhydrophobic and Ferromagnetic Microcilia Arrays for Aqueous Droplet Transportation. Small Methods, 2025, 9 (11), 2500500.
  • Y. Chen, X. P. Lu, M. Kim, R. L. Yang, M. Tan, Q. Y. X. Yuan, W. Y. Poon, Y. H. T. Chan, M. G. Li*; Laser guided thin film self rolling for asymmetric small-scale swimmers. Rare Metals, 2025, 44 (8), 5607-5620.
  • Y. Chen, X. Lu, G. Ma, M. Kim, R. Yu, H. Zhong, Y. H. T. Chan, M. Tan, Y. Liu, M. G. Li*; One-Step Laser-Guided Fabrication of 3D Self-Assembled Graphene Micro-Rolls. ACS Nano, 2025, 19 (5), 5769–5780.
  • W. Y. Poon, H. Zhong, Y. Xu, M. Kim, J. Lin, R. Yang, K. W. Lee, Q. Yuan, M. G. Li*; Autonomous Robotic Ultrathin Laser Scribed Microheater for Effective Insect Control. Advanced Intelligent Systems, 2025, 7 (2), 2400324.
  • Y. Chen, M. Tan, R. Yang, C. K. W. Lee, H. Zhong, Y. Xu, Y. Huang, M. Tang, M. G. Li*; Laser Guided Self Assembly of Thin Films into Micro-Rolls. Advanced Functional Materials, 2024, 34 (19), 2400090.

Electrochemical Sensing & Point-of-Care Diagnostics

Our laser-fabricated material platforms enable highly selective, portable electrochemical sensors. These systems utilize specialized nano-skeletons and laser-induced surface modifications to achieve enzyme-free molecule screening, glucose tracking, and rapid biomarker detection.

Publications:

  • L. Jing, Y. Pan, Y. Huang, N. Xu, S. Chen, H. Zhong, Y. Chen, Y. H. T. Chan, M. G. Li*; Laser Engineered Ag Nanoparticle on Carbon Cloth Electrodes for Enzyme-Free Electrochemical $NAD^{+}$ Detection. Small, 2026, e73841.
  • S. Chen, Y. Pan, H. Zhong, M. Kim, C. K. W. Lee, X. Lu, Y. H. T. Chan, Y. Chen, M. G. Li*; Fabrication of $Cu_{x}O$ Nanoparticle Electrodes Via Electroplating-Based Laser Induced Transfer for Glucose Detection. Advanced Materials Technologies, 2026, e71038.
  • Y. Pan, X. Lu, R. Yu, L. Jing, Y. Xu, W. Y. Poon, H. Zhong, S. Chen, M. Duan, M. G. Li*; Superwetting, Self Sterilizing Cu/CuZn ZnO Grating via Laser Engineering for Advanced Droplet Sensing. Small, 2025, 21 (27), 2502976.
  • Y. Pan, R. Yu, Y. Jiang, H. Zhong, Q. Yuan, C. K. W. Lee, R. Yang, S. Chen, M. G. Li*; Heterogeneous CuxO Nano-Skeletons from Waste Electronics for Enhanced Glucose Detection. Nano-Micro Letters, 2024, 16 (1), 1-15.
  • Y. Huang, R. Yang, H. Zhong, C. K. W. Lee, Y. Pan, M. Tan, Y. Chen, N. Jiang, M. G. Li*; High Throughput Automatic Laser Printing Strategy toward Cost-effective Portable Integrated Urea Tele Monitoring System. Small Methods, 2023, 2301184.
  • H. Yu, H. Zhang, J. Li, Z. Zhao, M. Deng, Z. Ren, Z. Li, C. Xue, M. G. Li, Z. Chen*; Rapid and Unamplified Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA via CRISPR-Cas13a-Modified Solution-Gated Graphene Transistors. ACS Sensors, 2022, 7 (12), 3923–3932.
  • G. Li*, X. Mo, W.-C. Law, K. C. Chan*; Wearable Fluid Capture Devices for Electrochemical Sensing of Sweat. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2019, 11 (1), 238–243.

Solar Steam Generation & Evaporative Desalination

We design engineered photothermal and wetting-gradient interfaces for solar-driven desalination and atmospheric water harvesting. This line of work bridges laser-defined surface topographies with localized transport control in cellulose hydrogels, aerogels, and eco-friendly porous membranes.

Publications:

  • Y. Xu, H. Zhong, X. Lu, M. Tang, S. Chen, C. Yang, Y. Chen, M. Kim, Y. Liu, M. G. Li*; Electrical Impedance Tomography Monitoring of Salt Transportation in Cellulose Hydrogel for Solar-Driven Evaporative Desalination via Laser Defined Wettability. Advanced Functional Materials, 2025, 35 (23), 2425052.
  • M. Tang, R. Yang, J. Lin, X. Lu, C. K. W. Lee, Y. Xu, S. Chen, H. Zhong, Y. Pan, M. G. Li*; A solar-driven hygroscopic aerogel using electrical impedance tomography for exploiting differentiated photothermal interfaces. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2024, 497, 154880.
  • D. Xu, H. Zhong, M. G. Li, S. S. To, L. Lu*; Efficient plasmonic enhanced solar evaporation achieved by laser-assisted Cu/Graphene nanocomposite. Carbon, 2023, 204, 231-237.
  • Y. L. Wang, G. J. Li, K. C. Chan*; Cost-effective and eco-friendly laser-processed cotton paper for high-performance solar evaporation. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2020, 218, 110693.
  • G. Li, W. C. Law, K. C. Chan*; Floating, highly efficient, and scalable graphene membranes for seawater desalination using solar energy. Green Chemistry, 2018, 20 (16), 3689–3695.

Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) & In Situ Imaging

We bridge advanced laser manufacturing with electrical impedance computed imaging. By patterning precise electrode arrays (e.g., via laser-induced graphene), we construct portable EIT systems capable of mapping fluid pathways, water transportation, and salt crystallization profiles inside soft materials in real time.

Publications:

  • M. Tang, H. Zhong, X. Lu, R. Yang, C. K. W. Lee, Y. Pan, Y. Chen, M. G. Li*; In situ Electrical Impedance Tomography for Visualizing Water Transportation in Hygroscopic Aerogels. Advanced Science, 2024, 11 (29), 2402676.
  • H. Zhong, X. Lu, R. Yang, Y. Pan, J. Lin, M. Kim, S. Chen, M. G. Li*; Seeing Through Muddy Water: Laser Induced Graphene for Portable Tomography Imaging. Advanced Science, 2024, 11 (35), 2406905.
  • (See also: Xu et al., Advanced Functional Materials, 2025, listed under Solar Steam Generation).

Next-Generation Energy Storage & Perovskite Optoelectronics

We leverage laser engineering to manipulate micro/macroscale material architectures for advanced energy storage and energy harvesting. This includes single-step laser printing of integrated cathodes for high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries, separator modifications, and optimizing hybrid perovskite crystalline morphology for high-efficiency solar cells and synaptic phototransistors.

Publications:

  • R. Yang, Y. Chen, Y. Pan, M. Kim, H. Liu, C. K. W. Lee, Y. Huang, A. Tang, F. Tu, T. Li, M. G. Li*; Single-step laser-printed integrated sulfur cathode toward high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries. Nature Communications, 2025, 16 (1), 2386.
  • H. L. Loi, T. Wang, D. Liu, J. Cao, J. Zhuang, Z. Zhao, Y. Xu, M. G. Li, L. Li, T. Zhai, F. Yan*; Tin Based 2D/3D Perovskite Vertical Heterojunction for High Performance Synaptic Phototransistors. Advanced Functional Materials, 2025, 35 (24), 2422267.
  • C. Yan, Z. Jiang, C. Yang, X. Dong, S. Zhang, F. Tu, T. Li, M. G. Li, A. Tang*, H. Yang*; The important role of diatomite on multifunctional modified separator of Li-S battery. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2024, 495, 153826.
  • Y. Zhang, Y. Hua, G. Zhao, F. Tu, T. Li, M. G. Li, L. Fu, C. Yang, A. Tang*, H. Yang*; Separators Modified with Ultrathin Montmorillonite/Polymer Nanocoatings Achieve Dendrite-Free Lithium Deposition at High Current Densities. Nano Letters, 2024, 24 (29), 8834-8842.
  • J. Cao, C. Liu, Y. Xu, H. L. Loi, T. Wang, M. G. Li, L. Liu, F. Yan*; High Performance Ideal Bandgap Sn Pb Mixed Perovskite Solar Cells Achieved by MXene Passivation. Small, 2024, 20 (47), 2403920.
  • G. Li, X. Mo, W. C. Law, K. C. Chan*; 3D printed graphene/nickel electrodes for high areal capacitance electrochemical storage. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2019, 7 (8), 4055–4062.

Food 3D Printing, Digital Gastronomy & Thermal Comfort

We have pioneered digital manufacturing platforms that combine multi-material food extrusion with concurrent laser cooking and pattern design. Powered by generative AI architectures, this framework yields highly customizable culinary geometry and structural profiles. Parallel projects develop flexible origami Joule heaters and photothermal coatings for localized heat deployment and thermal regulation.

Publications & Intellectual Property:

  • C. K. W. Lee, Y. Xu, Q. Yuan, Y. H. Chan, W. Y. Poon, H. Zhong, S. Chen, M. G. Li*; Advanced 3D Food Printing with Simultaneous Cooking and Generative AI Design. Advanced Materials, 2025, 37 (13), 2408282.
  • Y. H. T. Chan, H. Zhong, Y. Xu, J. Lin, S. Chen, R. Yang, M. G. Li*; Portable Flexible Spherical Origami Joule Heaters with Aerogel Assembled Graphene Micro-Rolls. Advanced Materials Interfaces, 2025, 12 (5), 2400544.
  • Y. Xu, J. Lin, Y. Chen, H. Zhong, C. K. W. Lee, M. Tan, S. Chen, M. Kim, E. W. Y. Poon, T. Y. H. Chan, A. Q. Yuan, M. Tang, R. Yang, Y. Pan, Y. Fu, and M. G. Li*; Highly Efficient Cash Sterilization with Ultrafast and Flexible Joule Heating Strategy by Laser Patterning. Advanced Materials Interfaces, 2024, 2400045.
  • G. Li, K. W. Lee, Y. Xu, Q. Yuan, C. Mu; An Integrative System for Food 3D Printing and Multi-level Cooking. Patent, 2022.

Moisture Management, Surface Wetting & Antibacterial Materials

By manipulating surface micro-topographies via rapid laser texturing, we design custom self-cleaning, superhydrophobic, and moisture-managing coatings. These structures offer exceptional passive decontaminating and photothermal bactericidal properties ideal for healthcare and face mask technologies.

Publications:

  • H. Liu, M. Kim, Y. Xu, L. Jing, S. Chen, C. K. W. Lee, M. Tan, H. Zhong, M. G. Li*; Wettability Investigation of Laser-Crafted Antiwetting/Superwetting Surfaces on a Polyethylene-Painted Aluminum Plate for Moisture Management. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2025, 17 (20), 30267-30283.
  • H. Liu, H. Zhong, Q. Yuan, R. Yang, M. Kim, Y. H. T. Chan, S. Chen, J. Lin, M. G. Li*; Roll to Roll Manufacturing of Breathable Superhydrophobic Membranes. Small Methods, 2024, 8 (12), 2400038.
  • H. Zhong, Z. Zhu, P. You, J. Lin, C. F. Cheung, V. L. Lu, F. Yan, C. Y. Chan, G. Li*; Plasmonic and Superhydrophobic Self-Decontaminating N95 Respirators. ACS Nano, 2020, 14 (7), 8846–8854.
  • H. Zhong, Z. Zhu, J. Lin, C. F. Cheung, V. L. Lu, F. Yan, C. Y. Chan, G. Li*; Reusable and Recyclable Graphene Masks with Outstanding Superhydrophobic and Photothermal Performances. ACS Nano, 2020, 14 (5), 6213–6221.
  • N. Jiang, Y. Wang, K. C. Chan, C. Y. Chan, H. Sun, G. Li*; Additive Manufactured Graphene Coating with Synergistic Photothermal and Superhydrophobic Effects for Bactericidal Applications. Global Challenges, 2020, 4 (1), 1900054.

Advanced Lithography & Magnetic Patterning

In collaboration with functional polymer chemists, we utilize single-step block copolymer self-assembly paired with nanoimprint lithography to build ultra-fine, highly ordered FePt magnetic nanoparticle networks tailored for high-density bit-patterned storage media.

Publications:

  • J. Zhang, Y. Chen, G. Li, Z. Sun, Z. Meng*, W. Y. Wong*; Nanoimprint lithography-assisted block copolymer self-assembly for hyperfine fabrication of magnetic patterns based on L10-FePt nanoparticles. Science China Chemistry, 2025, 68 (5), 2027-2034.
  • J. Zhang, Y. Chen, M. G. Li, Z. Sun, Z. Meng*, W. Y. Wong*; Fabrication of Ultrafine L10-FePt-Based Magnetic Patterns Enabled by Single-Step Nanoimprint-Assisted Block Copolymer Self-Assembly. Nano Letters, 2024, 24 (45), 14373-14380.
  • Q. Dong, G. Li, C. L. Ho, M. Faisal, C. W. Leung, P. W. T. Pong, K. Liu, B. Z. Tang, W. Y. Wong*; A Polyferroplatinyne Precursor for the Rapid Fabrication of L10 FePt-type Bit Patterned Media by Nanoimprint Lithography. Advanced Materials, 2012, 24 (8), 1034.