National Taiwan University

Organic Polymer Materials and Devices (OPMD) Laboratory

Cheng-Liang Liu
http://homepage.ntu.edu.tw/~liucl/index.html

Research Field

Materials Engineering

Introduction

Cheng-Liang Liu is a Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at National Taiwan University. He received the B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering from National Taiwan University in 2002 and 2007, respectively. He then worked as visiting scientist at the University of Washington (USA) from 2005 to 2006, postdoctoral fellow at National Taiwan University from 2008 to 2010, Assistant Professor at Yamagata University (Japan) from 2010 to 2012, Assistant and Associate Professor at National Central University (Taiwan) from 2012 to 2020, before joining National Taiwan University in 2020. His research focuses on organic polymers and hybrid materials for electronic and energy applications, including transistors, memory devices, solar cells, and thermoelectric systems.

The Organic Polymer Materials and Devices (OPMD) Laboratory focuses on the research and development of organic and polymeric (opto)electronic materials and devices. Our work emphasizes a strong interdisciplinary approach, integrating chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, and electrical engineering. The research spans the full spectrum from the molecular design and synthesis of organic/polymeric materials to the fabrication and integration of functional devices, aiming to advance next-generation soft electronic and energy-related technologies.


Research Topics

1. Organic Thermoelectric Materials and Devices
This research focuses on the design and optimization of organic thermoelectric systems based on conjugated polymers. Key directions include:
(1) Molecular doping of conjugated polymers to regulate charge carrier concentration, energy levels, and transport properties, thereby enhancing electrical conductivity and thermoelectric performance.
(2) Polymer-based composite thermoelectrics, integrating functional nanomaterials (e.g., carbon nanotubes and inorganic nanostructures) to synergistically improve charge transport, mechanical flexibility, and device stability.

2. Ionic Thermoelectric Systems
This research explores gel-based  ion-driven thermoelectric energy conversion platforms with high Seebeck coefficients and flexibility. Major topics include:
(1) Thermogalvanic cells, utilizing redox-active electrolytes and polymer networks to achieve efficient thermal-to-electrical energy conversion.
(2) Thermally charged capacitors, focusing on ion diffusion and thermal polarization in soft materials to enable energy harvesting and storage functionalities.

 


Honor

2025    Qinglang·Chanda Chemical Chair, College of Engineering, National Taiwan University (台灣大學工學院 慶琅先生詮達化學講座)

2024 - now   NSTC 2030 Cross-Generation Young Scholars Program, International Outstanding Young Scholars) (second phase) 國科會2030 跨世代年輕學者方案-國際年輕傑出學者計畫 (第二期)

2024      The Chemical Scoiety of Japan (CSJ) Lectureship Award

2024      Excellent Polymer Research Award, The Polymer Society, Taipei (中華民國高分子學會 傑出高分子學術研究獎)

2023      The Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan (SCEJ) Award for Outstanding Asian Researcher and Engineer (日本化工學會傑出亞洲研究員暨工程師獎)

2022      Academic Award of College of Engineering, NTU (111年度台灣大學工學院學術勵進獎)

2022 - now  Associate Editor, Polym. J. (IF: 2.3; 53/94)

2022 - 2025 NSTC 2030 Cross-Generation Young Scholars Program, International Outstanding Young Scholars (國科會2030 跨世代年輕學者方案-國際年輕傑出學者計畫 )

2020       Ta-You Wu Memorial Award, Ministry of Science and Technology (科技部吳大猷先生紀念獎)

2020 - 2022  MOST Young Scholar Fellowship, Columbus Program (科技部年輕學者養成計畫-哥倫布計畫)

2020       National Central University (NCU) Outstanding Researcher Award (中央大學研究傑出獎)

2019       Excellent Young Researchers Award, Materials Research Society-Taiwan (MRS-T) (中國材料科學學會 優秀年輕學者獎)

2019 - 2022  Outstanding Young Scholar Research Project, Ministry of Science and Technology (科技部優秀年輕學者計畫)

2019       Excellent Young Polymer Technology Award, The Polymer Society, Taipei (中華民國高分子學會 傑出青年高分子科技獎) 

2019       National Central University (NCU) Outstanding Researcher Award (中央大學研究傑出獎)

2018       Excellent Young Researcher Award, The Electronics Devices and Materials Association (EDMA), Taiwan (台灣電子材料與元件協會 傑出青年獎)

2018       Academic Progressive Award for Young Scholar, Taiwanese Institute of Chemical Engineers (台灣化工學會 學術勵進獎)

2018 - now  Associate Editor, J. Taiwan. Inst. Chem. Eng. (IF: 5.5; 31/170)

2018       National Central University (NCU) Outstanding Researcher Award (中央大學研究傑出獎)

2018 - now  Co-PI, project promotion office for development of high-value added materials and technologies from waste and renewable resources in circular economy, Ministry of Science and Technology (科技部工程司循環材料之高值化專案計畫推動及管理辦公室 共同主持人)

2017       Young Scientist Award (Wiley Award) in IUMRS-ICAM 2017

(The 15th International Conference on Advanced Materials), Kyoto, Japan

2017       National Central University (NCU) Outstanding Researcher Award (中央大學研究傑出獎)

2016 - 2019  Outstanding Young Scholar Research Project, Ministry of Science and Technology (科技部優秀年輕學者計畫)

2016     Invited Lecturer from Young Scientists, 65th SPSJ Annual Meeting, Kobe (日本高分子年會國際年輕學者講座)


Educational Background

2002-2007 Ph.D. Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University

1998-2002 B.S. Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University 


Job Description

Interns will have the opportunity to participate in material design, device fabrication, and performance evaluation within an interdisciplinary research environment.

Preferred Intern Educational Level

Master’s or doctoral (Ph.D.) students in relevant fields.

Skill sets or Qualities

  1. Basic knowledge of materials science and polymer science
  2. Familiarity with laboratory practices in polymer synthesis and/or materials characterization
  3. Strong motivation for research in energy-related materials and devices
  4. Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a research team