Youngjoo Lee

Post-doctoral Scholar
Email: lee34@seas.upenn.edu
Google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=G1rYg8wAAAAJ&hl=ko

220 S 33rd St
Towne 347
Philadelphia, PA, 19104

Bio

  • Since September 2024: Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania
  • 2024: Ph.D. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
  • 2019: M. S. Energy Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
  • 2016: B. S. Energy Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea

Research Overview

Research Interest

The potential applications of membrane technology are vast and diverse. Membranes, for instance, offer a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-based thermal separation methods (e.g., distillation) and can enhance the performance of electrochemical devices (e.g., electrodialysis, rechargeable battery) via selective transport of molecules of interest. My research interests are elucidating the transport mechanisms of different substances in membranes, with a particular emphasis on the separation of organic solvent mixtures and organic/aqueous solutions containing ions through membrane technology.

Current Research

My current research aims to understand the fundamentals in permeation behaviors of ions in ion exchange membranes (e.g., anion exchange membrane, cation exchange membrane). Insights into the physicochemical interactions between ions and membranes, as well as the transport of ions within membrane structures, will facilitate the rational design of membrane materials and separation processes in the future.

Past Research

Prior to joining Professor Osuji’s lab, I earned my Ph. D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, under the supervision of Professor Ryan P. Lively. During my Ph. D. studies, my research focused on developing a predictive framework capable of rapidly estimating the separation of any organic solvent mixture via any linear polymer membrane.