MOE Joint International Research Laboratory for Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering was officially established in October 2017 with the approval of an expert panel organized by the Ministry of Education of China.
The Laboratory was built upon two key existing platforms: the MOE Key Laboratory of Advanced Materials and the Program of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities for Structurally Controllable Molecular Engineering (the “111 Project” funded by MOE).
This integration of resources created a powerful international collaborative platform for cutting-edge research in molecular engineering.
The Laboratory aims to establish a world-class platform for cutting-edge research and talent development in structurally-controllable molecular systems. By collaborating with leading international universities and their key laboratories, the Laboratory integrates global scientific resources to:
Build an influential international research platform in structurally controllable molecular engineering;
Develop a world-class team of scientists and educators;
Create an elite training base for next-generation researchers.
Its missions contain:
Producing groundbreaking scientific achievements with international recognition;
Pioneering breakthroughs in fundamental disciplines;
Driving innovation at the frontiers of molecular science.
The Laboratory serves as:
A hub for global academic exchange and cooperation;
A catalyst for transformative discoveries in molecular design and engineering;
A bridge connecting China’s scientific community with international partners.
Its key features include:
Multinational collaborative network with top-tier institutions;
State-of-the-art facilities for molecular engineering research;
Interdisciplinary approach combining Chemistry, Materials Science, and Nanotechnology;
Strong emphasis on both fundamental research and practical applications.
Its research directions include:
1. Design and Construction of Structurally-Controllable Optoelectronic Molecules
Focus on the rational design and synthesis of molecular systems with precisely controlled architectures for optoelectronic applications;
Develop tailored molecular building blocks with customized photophysical/electronic properties;
Explores structure-property relationships in photoactive materials.
2. Interface Optoelectronic Analysis Methods and Instrumentation
Develop advanced characterization techniques for studying interfacial photoelectric phenomena;
Design innovative analytical devices for surface and interface analysis;
Create real-time monitoring methodologies for interfacial processes.
3. Computational Theory and Applications for Complex Systems and Functional Materials
Develop theoretical frameworks and simulation methods for complex molecular systems;
Apply multiscale modeling approaches to functional material design;
Bridge computational predictions with experimental validations.
The Laboratory is co-directed by the Chinese director: Prof. He Tian, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the international director: Prof. Itamar Willner, Member of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities.
The international advisory committee of the Laboratory is chaired by Prof. Bernard L. Feringa, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (2016). It comprises 60 appointed researchers, including 46 Chinese scholars and 14 international scholars.
The Laboratory has undertaken numerous prestigious research programs, including:
National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) Basic Science Center Projects;
International Cooperation and Exchange Programs;
Key R&D Projects from the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Its cutting-edge research has yielded high-impact publications in leading international journals (For example: Science, Nature, Cell, etc.) and multiple national and provincial/ministerial-level scientific awards.
The Laboratory has established itself as:
An internationally recognized hub for molecular engineering research;
A distinctive training center cultivating next-generation scientists;
A collaborative platform with significant global influence in the field.
