Empowering Children to Become Passionate Learners of Tomorrow
LFIS Research Center
What Our Science Center Believes In
Vision Statement
Accelerating scientific discovery and technological innovation in the academic and industrial sectors that improve the livelihood of the society and the environment through collaborative research, training, and outreach in both fundamental and applied interdisciplinary sciences.
Mission Statement
To become an interdisciplinary science laboratory driven by curiosity, creativity, responsibility, honesty, and competence to:
Expand the envelope of knowledge by consistently producing high-quality scientific journals.
Assist the industry in the development of new technologies in the field of functional materials.
Provide advanced training program to the lab users so they are capable of solving problems via standardized or out-of-the-box approaches.
Support high-school or university students in their thesis projects under the guidance of the researchers in collaboration with their teachers or professors.
Inspire the general public about science through hands-on science classes, camps, clubs, and workshops.
Research Focus
Soft Multi-Functional Electronics
Soft multi-functional electronics refer to flexible devices with unusual properties that allow for novel unconventional applications. One of the strategies to achieve this is to combine materials with strong synergy between each other that allows for new functions to emerge. In our lab, we explore and develop new technologies based on molecular conductors due to their versatility, tunability, and ease of processing. For example, a simple device that is electrochromic and at the same time has rectifying properties has been demonstrated in our lab for flexible smart display applications. The lab is equipped with automated data acquisition and control systems, basic electronics such as current sources, nanovoltmeters, source meters, function generators, amplifiers, impedance analyzers, temperature controllers, and basic cryogenics measurement setup for measurements down to ~80 K. Prototyping facilities are also established including 3D printers, laser cutter, and basic machining tools.
Bio-Inspired Materials
The fabric of life is full of deep secrets that drive beautiful processes behind some of the most resilient, functional, and efficient organisms, ecosystem, and materials. Often such properties are strongly tied to their functional requirement in nature. Some of the most water-repellent materials have been observed in the wings and feet of insects; also in plant leaves. In these cases, nanofibers that exhibit hydrophobicity are the key. Likewise, nanostructures have been observed in spider silk that renders them one of the toughest materials in nature. In our lab, we seek to understand the mechanism that allows certain special properties to occur in biological systems. This would allow us to mimic nature, process natural materials for technologies, and hopefully replicate the bio-inspired process via synthetic routes for improved customizability, reproducibility, and efficiency. Special focus is given to exploring the synthesis and self-assemblies of nanoparticles and advanced processing of silk-based materials.
Environmental Sciences
It is more important now than ever to take action against the environmental problems of this era. Climate change, plastic waste, air/water/soil pollution are highly complicated problems that require massive collaborative efforts between various fields of studies and institutions. In our lab, we work with our partners in academia and industry to explore greener solutions to some of these problems. One of the initiatives is to develop green and circular processes in the manufacturing of Black Soldier Fly–based products with applications in agricultural, food technology, and biomedical fields. On top of developing green alternatives to existing commercial products using Black Soldier Fly-based materials, we are also interested in finding new approaches to reduce and/or to recycle waste streams into value-added products.
Applied Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence concerns with the mimicry of human intelligence by means of computational techniques. Computer software and machines integrated with artificial intelligence are robust as they are able to learn from the environments to adapt to evolving situations. This opens up new venues in many different fields. In our center, we apply artificial intelligence systems to empower us to problem-solve and discover new science in a way that complements the conventional and traditional scientific methods. This includes approaches that involves computer-vision and machine learning to reveal hidden insights in materials and biological systems.
Outreach
The Science Center in Emmerich inspires everyone to love science. From tutoring to high level research, we have a variety of programs for all age groups. We want to ensure the best science tutoring, that not only helps with their academic scores, but also demonstrate everyday science through our mini experiments. We enhance science learning by doing visual and hands-on science demonstrations to our students. The center offers exciting programs for kids, such as Awesome Science Camp and Extracurricular Science Clubs. Our outreach extends to the field of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Math, Engineering and Automation.
Collaboration and Training
As apart of our Education Center, doing research is also one of our priorities. The Science Center explores multiple areas, including the properties and function of spider silk, along with extended topics of bio-inspired materials, self assembly of nano-particles, organic conductors and organic electronics. The center welcomes students and faculties from universities to carry out their thesis projects. High school and college students, who are enthusiastic about science research, are encouraged to apply an internship.
Being involved in our research activities will provide experience with data acquisition competence, advanced data analysis techniques and automation skills that are valuable for their school projects. We also provide the best personal mentors and research instructors to guide them through the experiments and one-on-one discussion to sharpen their critical thinking skills and curiosity as future researchers. These mentors are specialized in each field of science, from biology, chemistry and physics. By guiding and familiarizing our students with research methodologies and experiments, our program will prepare both our high school and college students with the mindset to step forward into a higher education in undergraduate or graduate school.
Awesome Science Camp
Our Awesome Science program strives to inspire the students and public audience about science. Our hands-on science class is designed to allow the students to do scientific experiments in a fun, engaging, and safe environment under professional guidance. We encourage the students to get messy with science, explore their curiosity and test different ideas in our programs.
Science Club
Our Science Club program offers a chance to bringing science to our students, schools, parties and even events out of town. We want to let our students know that learning science can be done not only in a laboratory, but rather it can be brought anywhere we want. The experiments that we deliver is not only practical, but also safe and fun to do.