Sustainable Nano-Materials and Environmental Applications Laboratory
Research Field
Prof. Yao-Tung Lin is a Lifetime Distinguished Professor in the Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences at National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) and Director of the Environmental Nano-Materials Research Laboratory. He also serves as Director of the Taiwan National Science and Technology Office for Net-Zero Emission (T-STONE), where he contributes to the formulation and implementation of Taiwan’s national net-zero and sustainability strategies.
Prof. Lin’s research is highly interdisciplinary, operating at the interface of environmental engineering, materials science, and the circular economy. His core research areas include:
- Advanced Materials
Valorization of agro-fishery and biomass waste into high-value functional materials for environmental, energy, and biomedical applications.
- Process Engineering and AI Integration
Application of artificial intelligence and data-driven approaches to optimize material synthesis, process efficiency, and functional performance.
- Green Manufacturing and Environmental Remediation
Development of sustainable manufacturing pathways and advanced technologies for soil and water remediation, supporting low-carbon and resource-efficient systems.
By integrating fundamental science with practical engineering solutions, Prof. Lin’s work directly contributes to the 2050 Net-Zero transition. He is deeply committed to cultivating the next generation of global scientists and engineers, having mentored numerous students who have received international recognition, including awards from the AWMA and national innovation programs. Through this internship program, Prof. Lin welcomes motivated international students to engage in hands-on research training, advanced material characterization, and interdisciplinary collaboration, providing a strong foundation for future careers in green technology and sustainable development.
The Environmental Nano-Materials Research Laboratory offers a cutting-edge research environment that integrates material synthesis, characterization, and environmental applications. Our key features include:
- Advanced Synthesis & Analysis:
The lab is equipped with a wide range of facilities for synthesizing polymer-based, inorganic, and hybrid nanomaterials. We possess robust in-house capabilities for organic and inorganic chemical analysis, enabling systematic exploration from material design to application.
- State-of-the-Art Nanoscale Analysis:
A major highlight is our advanced micro-analysis capacity. Through our collaboration with the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC), students gain access to synchrotron-based techniques for high-resolution investigations of material morphology and structure–function relationships.
- Global Research Community:
We cultivate a vibrant, multicultural environment. Our dynamic team comprises members from Asia, Africa, the United States, and the European Union. This diversity encourages cross-cultural exchange and prepares interns for success in the global scientific arena.
1. Green Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials
- Eco-Friendly Synthesis
Design and green synthesis of low-toxicity, bio-based, and waste-derived nanomaterials for environmental and sustainability-oriented applications.
- Advanced Characterization and Nano-Scale Imaging
Application of synchrotron-based analytical techniques and three-dimensional nano-scale imaging to elucidate material morphology, interfacial interactions, and bacteria–material inactivation mechanisms.
- Colloid and Surface Chemistry
Fundamental investigation of nanoparticle stability, transport, aggregation, and adsorption behaviors in complex environmental systems.
2. Circular Economy and Net-Zero Technologies
- Waste Valorization
Conversion of agricultural residues and industrial by-products into high-value functional materials to enhance resource efficiency and circularity.
- Carbon Sequestration and Soil Carbon Persistence
Investigation of soil carbon dynamics, stabilization mechanisms, and long-term carbon storage pathways contributing to global carbon neutrality.
- Nano-Particle Recovery and Separation
Development and optimization of technologies for the separation, recovery, and classification of nano-sized particles in environmental and industrial processes.
3. Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control
- Soil and Groundwater Restoration
Analysis of contaminant fate and transport, coupled with the development of nano-enabled remediation strategies for contaminated sites.
- Pollution Control Systems
Design, evaluation, and optimization of advanced engineering systems for air pollution control and solid waste treatment.
- Ecological Restoration
Integrated, material-based approaches for environmental risk reduction and the restoration of ecological balance.
4. Environmental Governance and Policy
- Law and Policy Interface
Integration of environmental law, regulatory frameworks, and governance mechanisms with technological innovation to support sustainable environmental management.
2025
- National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Future Tech Award
- "Glory of Taiwan" First Prize, 31st National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC) User Meeting
- Best Paper Award, 118th AWMA Annual Conference
- Excellent Award, 14th Asia-Pacific Chitin and Chitosan Symposium (14th APCCS 2025)
- High-Value Award for Prospective Green Materials (Student Supervision), 2025 Net-Zero Emission Technology International Competition
- Best Student Oral Presentation Award, 7th International Conference on Advances in Civil and Ecological Engineering Research (ACEER 2025)
- International Conference for Sustainable Environmental Technologies (ICSET 2025) Awards:
- Best Collaborative Scientific Paper
- Overall Best Oral Presentation
- Best Oral Presentation in Zero Hunger Technology and Sustainable Supply Chain
2024
- 21st National Innovation Award, Academic Innovation Award
- First Place, Doctoral Student Poster Competition, 117th AWMA Annual Conference
- Best Doctoral Dissertation Award, Taiwan Association of Environmental and Resource Economics (TAERE)
- Best Paper Award, 6th International Conference on Advances in Civil and Ecological Engineering Research (ACEER)
- 36th Annual Conference of the Chinese Institute of Environmental Engineering (CIEE) Awards:
- Distinguished Doctoral Dissertation Award
- Excellent Paper Award (Waste Treatment Technology Symposium)
- Outstanding Poster Award (Environmental Engineering Practice Symposium)
- Excellent Oral Presentation Award (Environmental Engineering Practice Symposium)
2023
- 20th National Innovation Award, Academic Innovation Award
- National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Future Tech Award
- Second Place, Oral Presentation, ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meeting
- Outstanding Thesis Award, Department of Law (LL.M.), National Chung Hsing University
2022
- 19th National Innovation Award, Academic Innovation Award
- National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Future Tech Award
- Academic Award, The Taiwan Agricultural Society
- Grand Prize, 3rd CH Biotech Innovation Award
- Outstanding Award, Innovative Teaching and Problem-Based Learning Program, National Chung Hsing University
- 115th AWMA Annual Conference Awards:
- First Place, Master Student Poster Competition
- Third Place, Doctoral Student Poster Competition
- Best Oral Presentation Award, 2022 International Conference on Environmental Quality Concern, Control and Conservation
- National Chung Hsing University Technology Paper Awards:
- First Place
- Honorable Mention
- Honorable Mention, Heavy Metals and Health Poster Competition, Precision Environmental Medicine Symposium
2021
- 18th National Innovation Award, Academic Innovation Advancement Award (Renewal)
- Undergraduate Student Research Creativity Award, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC)
- Creative Report Award, CH Biotech Innovation Award
- 33rd Annual Conference of the Chinese Institute of Environmental Engineering (CIEE) Awards:
- First, Second, and Third Place, Master–Doctoral Joint Paper Competition
- Best Paper Award, Undergraduate Project Paper Competition
- Distinguished Advisor Award for Outstanding Paper Supervision
- Ching-En Green Tech Thesis Award
- Advanced Chemistry Knowledge-Action Integrated Conference Awards:
- Second Place, Physical Chemistry & Applied Chemistry Group
- Honorable Mention, Physical Chemistry & Applied Chemistry Group
- Honorable Mention, Organic Chemistry & Chemical Materials Group
- Cross-Strait Carbon Materials & Taiwan Carbon Materials Conference Awards:
- Honorable Mention, Oral Competition
- Honorable Mention, Poster Competition
- Outstanding Award, Integrated Curriculum Program, National Chung Hsing University
- Outstanding Award, Faculty Professional Learning Community Program, National Chung Hsing University
2020
- Technology Transfer and Collaboration Award, Taipei Biotechnology Awards
- 17th National Innovation Award, Academic Innovation Advancement Award (Renewal)
- Best Paper Award, Doctoral Student Poster Competition, 113th AWMA Annual Conference
- Best Popularity Award in Biological Science, 26th National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC) User Meeting
- 32nd Annual Conference of the Chinese Institute of Environmental Engineering (CIEE) Awards:
- First Place, PhD Student Paper Competition
- First Place, Undergraduate Project Paper Competition
- Ching-En Green Tech Thesis Award
- Exemplary Faculty and Student Award, Digital Teaching Program, National Chung Hsing University
2023 – LL.M., School of Law, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan
2004 – Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, USA
1992 – M.S. in Civil Engineering (Environmental Concentration), University of Delaware, USA
1986 – B.S. in Civil Engineering, National Central University, Taiwan