Prof. Jiun-Tai ChenTaiwan
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
| 2024 to present | | Dean, College of Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University |
| 2021 to present | | Distinguished Professor, Department of Applied Chemistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University |
| 2008 - 2010 | | Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas, Austin |
| 2003 - 2008 | | Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst |
| 2021 - 2024 | | Associate Dean, College of Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University |
| 2021 - 2024 | | Director, Degree Program of Science, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University |
| 2025 | | Outstanding Polymer Application Award, The Polymer Society, Taipei |
| 2025 | | National Innovation Award, Research Center for Biotechnology and Medicine Policy |
| 2023 | | Outstanding Research Award, National Science and Technology Council |
Polymer Chemistry, Polymer Physics, Polymer Nanomaterials, Conducting Polymers
Self-healing Materials, Wearable Electronics, Responsive Materials for Anti-Counterfeiting Applications
Jiun-Tai Chen joined Prof. Thomas Russell’s group in 2003 and obtained his Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering in 2008 from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He then worked as a postdoctoral fellow with Prof. Paul F. Barbara at the Center for Nano- and Molecular Science and Technology, University of Texas at Austin. In 2010, he joined the Department of Applied Chemistry at NCTU as an assistant professor and was promoted to associate professor in 2013 and full professor in 2016.
Upcycling Recycled PET into Multifunctional TPEE Fibers and Films: From Reversible Sensing to Dynamic Anticounterfeiting and Self-Healing Electronics
TBA TBA
Green and Sustainable Polymer Materials/TBA
Plastic debris has emerged as a significant environmental challenge, accumulating in landfills and marine ecosystems. Upcycling plastic waste into high-value functional materials represents a promising strategy toward sustainable materials development. In this work, we present a comprehensive approach for transforming recycled polyethylene terephthalate (r-PET) into multifunctional thermoplastic polyester elastomers (TPEE, PBT-co-PTMEG) through esterification and condensation polymerization. These upcycled TPEE materials can be fabricated into aligned fibrous membranes using electrospinning, exhibiting excellent stretchability, flexibility, and durability compared to commercial counterparts.
Beyond structural applications, the upcycled TPEE serves as a versatile platform for smart and sustainable devices. By incorporating photoresponsive molecules such as spiropyran and azopolymers via layer-by-layer assembly, the resulting materials demonstrate reversible colorimetric responses to light and pH stimuli, enabling dynamic sensing and environmental monitoring. Furthermore, inspired by natural color-changing systems such as Hibiscus mutabilis, wavelength-selective spiropyran systems enable orthogonal optical switching, allowing dynamic anticounterfeiting and photoswitchable conductivity.
Importantly, by integrating functional nanomaterials such as MXene multilayers and photoresponsive polymer networks, the upcycled TPEE systems exhibit multifunctional properties including conductivity, strain sensing, self-healing, and photo-induced solid-to-liquid transitions for structural repair. These photo-healable fibers and stretchable electronic platforms demonstrate the potential for sustainable wearable electronics.
This work highlights a sustainable pathway to convert plastic waste into high-performance smart materials, bridging green polymer upcycling with advanced applications in sensing, anticounterfeiting, and adaptive electronics.