![Jin Li BEng PhD](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/9287?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Jin Li
(he/him)
BEng PhD
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Teams and roles for Jin Li
Senior Lecturer in Soft Matter and Microfluidic Engineering
Overview
I am director of the Applied Microfluidic Laboratory and Complex Nanofluid Engineering Group at Cardiff University. My research brings together droplet microfluidics, soft matter, engineering biology, biophysics and microrobotics to create programmable artificial cells, biohybrid materials and autonomous microsystems.
I have built a substantial externally funded research portfolio. I have led, co-led, hosted or contributed to projects representing more than £3.6 million in directly attributed funding, alongside major European consortia with a combined value exceeding £6 million. As principal investigator, I have secured support from the EIC Pathfinder programme, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, the Royal Society, and EPSRC impact funding. I also serve as co-PI and project deputy on the BBSRC Engineering Biology Mission Award.
My research has produced 17 publications in leading journals, including Nature Communications, Advanced Science, Lab on a Chip, Device, and Communications Chemistry. These outputs span artificial cells, mechanosensitive membrane proteins, 3D-printed microfluidics, droplet materials and biomedical engineering.
My international network is reflected in 20+ invited talks since 2023, delivered across the UK, Europe and China. I collaborate with researchers in engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine and industry, creating an interdisciplinary environment for ambitious doctoral research.
I welcome motivated PhD students and postdoctoral researchers interested in artificial cells, living machines, microfluidics, soft microrobots, organoid engineering, active matter and intelligent autonomous microsystems. Students and ECRs joining my group will gain experience in droplet-based materials, high-resolution 3D printing, microfluidic device design, Multiphysics numerical modelling, lipid membranes, synthetic biology and their translational research. They will join a growing international team and contribute to connected projects addressing healthcare, sustainability, agriculture and advanced manufacturing, with strong opportunities for publication, collaboration and professional development.
Publication
2026
- Wang, Z. et al., 2026. Integrated liquid metal microfluidic (ILMM) platform for efficient and low-cost bio-impedance analysis. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical 466 140359. (10.1016/j.snb.2026.140359)
- Xu, D. et al. 2026. Biomimetic hierarchical scaffold with Zn2+/Mg2+ dual-ion synergistic release for sequential immunomodulation to enhance bone regeneration. Chemical Engineering Journal 545 179660. (10.1016/j.cej.2026.179660)
- Wen, J. et al., 2026. Quartz crystal microbalance-based point-of-care testing systems: principles, device design, and applications. Analytical Chemistry 98 (28), pp.20688-20708. (10.1021/acs.analchem.6c01802)
- Xu, W. et al. 2026. Influence of consumer attitudes and social interactions in electric vehicle purchasing: integrating agent-based modelling and machine learning. IMA Journal of Management Mathematics 37 (2), pp.533-561. dpaf019. (10.1093/imaman/dpaf019)
- Feng, X. et al., 2026. Dual-stimuli magnetic drug nanoparticles for chemoimmunotherapy: Magnetically driven, charge-reversal enhanced tumour penetration and pH-triggered drug release. Chemical Engineering Journal 532 174177. (10.1016/j.cej.2026.174177)
- Wei, H. et al., 2026. A dual-drug delivery hydrogel platform based on hollow calcium carbonate nanoparticles for enhanced multimodal tumor therapy. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 703 (Part 1) 139110. (10.1016/j.jcis.2025.139110)
- Shen, Y. et al., 2026. Designing and integrating microfluidic electrodes for biosensing and micromanipulation. Device 4 100964. (10.1016/j.device.2025.100964)
2025
- Xu, W. et al. 2025. Impacts of consumers' heterogeneity on decision-making in electric vehicle adoption: An integrated model.. Sustainability 17 , pp.1-25. 4981. (10.3390/su17114981)
2024
- Silver, K. L. et al. 2024. 3D-printed microfluidic-microwave device for droplet network formation and characterisation. Lab on a Chip 24 , pp.5101-5112. (10.1039/D4LC00387J)
- Dimitriou, P. et al. 2024. Manipulation of encapsulated artificial phospholipid membranes using sub-micellar lysolipid concentrations. Communications Chemistry 7 (1) 120. (10.1038/s42004-024-01209-z)
- Dimitriou, P. et al. 2024. Label-free volumetric imaging of synthetic cell chassis using optical coherence tomography. Presented at: Cardiff University Engineering Research Conference 2023 Cardiff, UK 12-14 July 2023. Published in: Spezi, E. and Bray, M. eds. Proceedings of the Cardif University Engineering Research Conference. Cardiff: Cardiff University Press. , pp.15-18. (10.18573/conf1.e)
- Silver, K. et al. 2024. Microwave resonator-based microfluidic sensors fabricated using 3D-printing technology. Presented at: Cardiff University Engineering Research Conference 2023 Cardiff, UK 12-14 July 2023. Published in: Spezi, E. and Bray, M. eds. Proceedings of the Cardiff University Engineering Research Conference 2023. Cardiff: Cardiff University Press. , pp.109-112. (10.18573/conf1.z)
- Schneider, J. J. et al., 2024. Percolation breakdown in binary and ternary monodisperse and polydisperse systems of spherical particles. Presented at: Italian Workshop on Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation Venice 6-8 September 2023. Published in: Villani, M. , Cagnoni, S. and Serra, R. eds. Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation. WIVACE 2023. Vol. 1977.Communications in Computer and Information Science Cham, Switzerland: Springer. , pp.161-174. (10.1007/978-3-031-57430-6_13)
- Schneider, J. J. et al., 2024. Kauffman Model with spatially separated ligation and cleavage reactions. Presented at: Italian Workshop on Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation Venice 6-8 September 2023. Published in: Villani, M. , Cagnoni, S. and Serra, R. eds. Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation. WIVACE 2023. Vol. 1977.Communications in Computer and Information Science Cham, Switzerland: Springer. , pp.141-160. (10.1007/978-3-031-57430-6_12)
2023
- Matuttis, H. et al., 2023. Computational investigation of the clustering of droplets in widening pipe geometries. Presented at: WIVACE 2022, XVI International Workshop on Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation Gaeta, Italy 14-16 September 2022. Published in: De Stefano, C. , Fontanella, F. and Vanneschi, L. eds. WIVACE 2022. Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation. Vol. 1780.Communications in Computer and Information Science Cham, Switzerland: Springer. , pp.82-93. (10.1007/978-3-031-31183-3_7)
- Schneider, J. J. et al., 2023. Network creation during agglomeration processes of polydisperse and monodisperse systems of droplets. Communications in Computer and Information Science 1780 , pp.94-106. (10.1007/978-3-031-31183-3_8)
- Schneider, J. J. et al., 2023. Artificial chemistry performed in an agglomeration of droplets with restricted molecule transfer. Presented at: WIVACE 2022, XVI International Workshop on Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation Gaeta, Italy 14-16 September 2022. Published in: De Stefano, C. , Fontanella, F. and Vanneschi, L. eds. WIVACE 2022. Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation.. Vol. 1780.Communications in Computer and Information Science Cham, Switzerland: Springer. , pp.107-118. (10.1007/978-3-031-31183-3_9)
- Moukachar, A. et al. 2023. Development and evaluation of a low‐cost lego 3d bioprinter: from building‐blocks to building blocks of life. Advanced Materials Technologies 8 (6) 2100868. (10.1002/admt.202100868)
- Schneider, J. J. et al., 2023. Geometric restrictions to the agglomeration of spherical particles. Presented at: Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation 15th Italian Workshop, WIVACE 2021, Winterthur, Switzerland, Winterthur, Switzerland 15-17 September 2021. Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation 15th Italian Workshop, WIVACE 2021, Winterthur, Switzerland, September 15–17, 2021, Revised Selected Papers. Vol. 1722.Springer. , pp.72-84. (10.1007/978-3-031-23929-8_7)
- Schneider, J. J. et al., 2023. Obstacles on the pathway towards chemical programmability using agglomerations of droplets. Presented at: Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation 15th Italian Workshop, WIVACE 2021 Winterthur, Switzerland 15-17 September 2021. Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation 15th Italian Workshop, WIVACE 2021, Winterthur, Switzerland, September 15–17, 2021, Revised Selected Papers. Vol. 1722.Springer. , pp.35-50. (10.1007/978-3-031-23929-8_4)
2022
- Schneider, J. J. et al., 2022. Paths in a network of polydisperse spherical droplets. Presented at: ALIFE 2022: The 2022 Conference on Artificial Life Online 18-22 July 2022. The 2022 Conference on Artificial Life Proceedings. MIT Press. (10.1162/isal_a_00502)
- Li, J. et al. 2022. Building programmable multicompartment artificial cells incorporating remotely activated protein channels using microfluidics and acoustic levitation. Nature Communications 13 (1) 4125. (10.1038/s41467-022-31898-w)
- Dimitriou, P. et al. 2022. Active content release from synthetic cell interior towards a novel drug delivery method. Presented at: MicroTAS 2022 Hangzhou, China 23-27 October 2022.
- Dimitriou, P. et al. 2022. Droplet incubator: a new droplet-based model to investigate living cell-synthetic cell interactions. Presented at: MicroTAS 2022 Hangzhou, China 23-27 October 2022.
- Li, J. , Dimitriou, P. and Barrow, D. 2022. Acoustic levitation of complex emulsions and hierarchical soft matter constructs. Presented at: MicroTAS 2022 Hangzhou, China 23-27 October 2022.
2021
- Dimitriou, P. et al. 2021. Droplet microfluidics for tumor drug-related studies and programmable artificial cells. Global Challenges 5 (7) 2000123. (10.1002/gch2.202000123)
- Schneider, J. J. et al., 2021. Influence of the geometry on the agglomeration of a polydisperse binary system of spherical particles. Presented at: ALIFE 2021: The 2021 Conference on Artificial Life Virtual 19-23 July 2021. Published in: Cejkova, J. et al., Proceedings of the ALIFE 2022: The 2022 Conference on Artificial Life. ALIFE 2021: The 2021 Conference on Artificial Life.. MIT Press. , pp.577-585. (10.1162/isal_a_00392)
2020
- Li, J. et al. 2020. Formation of polarised, functional artificial cells from compartmentalised droplet networks and nanomaterials, using one-step, dual-material 3D-printed microfluidics. Advanced Science 7 (1) 1901719. (10.1002/advs.201901719)
- Li, J. et al. 2020. Generation of complex emulsions using monolithic, dual material 3D-printed microfluidic devices. Presented at: The 24th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (µTAS 2020) 4-9 October 2020. Cardiff:
2018
- Thomas, R. et al., 2018. In-situ fabricated 3D micro-lenses for photonic integrated circuits. Optics Express 26 (10), pp.13436-13442. (10.1364/OE.26.013436)
2017
- Li, J. and Barrow, D. A. 2017. A new droplet-forming fluidic junction for the generation of highly compartmentalised capsules. Lab on a Chip 17 (16), pp.2873-2881. (10.1039/c7lc00618g)
- Li, J. et al. 2017. Continuous and scalable polymer capsule processing for inertial fusion energy target shell fabrication using droplet microfluidics. Scientific Reports 7 6302. (10.1038/s41598-017-06746-3)
- Baxani Kamal, D. et al. 2017. The microfluidic manufacture of encapsulated droplet interface bilayers using a hybrid 3D-printed coaxial device. Presented at: 20th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (MicroTAS 2016) Dublin, Ireland 9-13 October 2016. Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (MicroTAS 2016). Red Hook, New York: Curran Associates, Inc.
- Li, J. et al. 2017. Formation of chemically responsive multisomes using droplet microfluidics. Presented at: 20th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (MicroTAS 2016) Dublin, Ireland 9-13 October 2016. Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (MicroTAS 2016). Red Hook, NY: Curran Associates, Inc.
- Li, J. et al. 2017. An automated system for the shape optimization of double emulsion droplets used in the fabrication of Inertial Fusion Energy target shells. Presented at: The 21st International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (MicroTAS 2017) Cardiff 22-26 October 2017.
2016
- Li, J. 2016. A novel, planar, microfluidic junction for multiphase flow, exemplified through the production of fusion energy targets, encapsulated mouse neuron stem cells and multi-compartmental capsules. PhD Thesis , Cardiff University.
2014
- Li, J. and Barrow, D. 2014. Microfluidic encapsulation of droplet assemblies. Presented at: 18th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (MicroTAS 2014) Cardiff 26-30 October 2014.
- Li, J. and Barrow, D. 2014. Rapid and precision mass replication of inertial fusion energy targets with multiphase microfluidics. Presented at: The 18th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (MicroTAS 2014) Cardiff 26 - 30 October 2014. 18th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences. USA: Chemical and Biological Microsystems Society. , pp.1253-1255.
Articles
- Wang, Z. et al., 2026. Integrated liquid metal microfluidic (ILMM) platform for efficient and low-cost bio-impedance analysis. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical 466 140359. (10.1016/j.snb.2026.140359)
- Xu, D. et al. 2026. Biomimetic hierarchical scaffold with Zn2+/Mg2+ dual-ion synergistic release for sequential immunomodulation to enhance bone regeneration. Chemical Engineering Journal 545 179660. (10.1016/j.cej.2026.179660)
- Wen, J. et al., 2026. Quartz crystal microbalance-based point-of-care testing systems: principles, device design, and applications. Analytical Chemistry 98 (28), pp.20688-20708. (10.1021/acs.analchem.6c01802)
- Xu, W. et al. 2026. Influence of consumer attitudes and social interactions in electric vehicle purchasing: integrating agent-based modelling and machine learning. IMA Journal of Management Mathematics 37 (2), pp.533-561. dpaf019. (10.1093/imaman/dpaf019)
- Feng, X. et al., 2026. Dual-stimuli magnetic drug nanoparticles for chemoimmunotherapy: Magnetically driven, charge-reversal enhanced tumour penetration and pH-triggered drug release. Chemical Engineering Journal 532 174177. (10.1016/j.cej.2026.174177)
- Wei, H. et al., 2026. A dual-drug delivery hydrogel platform based on hollow calcium carbonate nanoparticles for enhanced multimodal tumor therapy. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 703 (Part 1) 139110. (10.1016/j.jcis.2025.139110)
- Shen, Y. et al., 2026. Designing and integrating microfluidic electrodes for biosensing and micromanipulation. Device 4 100964. (10.1016/j.device.2025.100964)
- Xu, W. et al. 2025. Impacts of consumers' heterogeneity on decision-making in electric vehicle adoption: An integrated model.. Sustainability 17 , pp.1-25. 4981. (10.3390/su17114981)
- Silver, K. L. et al. 2024. 3D-printed microfluidic-microwave device for droplet network formation and characterisation. Lab on a Chip 24 , pp.5101-5112. (10.1039/D4LC00387J)
- Dimitriou, P. et al. 2024. Manipulation of encapsulated artificial phospholipid membranes using sub-micellar lysolipid concentrations. Communications Chemistry 7 (1) 120. (10.1038/s42004-024-01209-z)
- Schneider, J. J. et al., 2023. Network creation during agglomeration processes of polydisperse and monodisperse systems of droplets. Communications in Computer and Information Science 1780 , pp.94-106. (10.1007/978-3-031-31183-3_8)
- Moukachar, A. et al. 2023. Development and evaluation of a low‐cost lego 3d bioprinter: from building‐blocks to building blocks of life. Advanced Materials Technologies 8 (6) 2100868. (10.1002/admt.202100868)
- Li, J. et al. 2022. Building programmable multicompartment artificial cells incorporating remotely activated protein channels using microfluidics and acoustic levitation. Nature Communications 13 (1) 4125. (10.1038/s41467-022-31898-w)
- Dimitriou, P. et al. 2021. Droplet microfluidics for tumor drug-related studies and programmable artificial cells. Global Challenges 5 (7) 2000123. (10.1002/gch2.202000123)
- Li, J. et al. 2020. Formation of polarised, functional artificial cells from compartmentalised droplet networks and nanomaterials, using one-step, dual-material 3D-printed microfluidics. Advanced Science 7 (1) 1901719. (10.1002/advs.201901719)
- Thomas, R. et al., 2018. In-situ fabricated 3D micro-lenses for photonic integrated circuits. Optics Express 26 (10), pp.13436-13442. (10.1364/OE.26.013436)
- Li, J. and Barrow, D. A. 2017. A new droplet-forming fluidic junction for the generation of highly compartmentalised capsules. Lab on a Chip 17 (16), pp.2873-2881. (10.1039/c7lc00618g)
- Li, J. et al. 2017. Continuous and scalable polymer capsule processing for inertial fusion energy target shell fabrication using droplet microfluidics. Scientific Reports 7 6302. (10.1038/s41598-017-06746-3)
Conferences
- Dimitriou, P. et al. 2024. Label-free volumetric imaging of synthetic cell chassis using optical coherence tomography. Presented at: Cardiff University Engineering Research Conference 2023 Cardiff, UK 12-14 July 2023. Published in: Spezi, E. and Bray, M. eds. Proceedings of the Cardif University Engineering Research Conference. Cardiff: Cardiff University Press. , pp.15-18. (10.18573/conf1.e)
- Silver, K. et al. 2024. Microwave resonator-based microfluidic sensors fabricated using 3D-printing technology. Presented at: Cardiff University Engineering Research Conference 2023 Cardiff, UK 12-14 July 2023. Published in: Spezi, E. and Bray, M. eds. Proceedings of the Cardiff University Engineering Research Conference 2023. Cardiff: Cardiff University Press. , pp.109-112. (10.18573/conf1.z)
- Schneider, J. J. et al., 2024. Percolation breakdown in binary and ternary monodisperse and polydisperse systems of spherical particles. Presented at: Italian Workshop on Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation Venice 6-8 September 2023. Published in: Villani, M. , Cagnoni, S. and Serra, R. eds. Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation. WIVACE 2023. Vol. 1977.Communications in Computer and Information Science Cham, Switzerland: Springer. , pp.161-174. (10.1007/978-3-031-57430-6_13)
- Schneider, J. J. et al., 2024. Kauffman Model with spatially separated ligation and cleavage reactions. Presented at: Italian Workshop on Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation Venice 6-8 September 2023. Published in: Villani, M. , Cagnoni, S. and Serra, R. eds. Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation. WIVACE 2023. Vol. 1977.Communications in Computer and Information Science Cham, Switzerland: Springer. , pp.141-160. (10.1007/978-3-031-57430-6_12)
- Matuttis, H. et al., 2023. Computational investigation of the clustering of droplets in widening pipe geometries. Presented at: WIVACE 2022, XVI International Workshop on Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation Gaeta, Italy 14-16 September 2022. Published in: De Stefano, C. , Fontanella, F. and Vanneschi, L. eds. WIVACE 2022. Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation. Vol. 1780.Communications in Computer and Information Science Cham, Switzerland: Springer. , pp.82-93. (10.1007/978-3-031-31183-3_7)
- Schneider, J. J. et al., 2023. Artificial chemistry performed in an agglomeration of droplets with restricted molecule transfer. Presented at: WIVACE 2022, XVI International Workshop on Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation Gaeta, Italy 14-16 September 2022. Published in: De Stefano, C. , Fontanella, F. and Vanneschi, L. eds. WIVACE 2022. Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation.. Vol. 1780.Communications in Computer and Information Science Cham, Switzerland: Springer. , pp.107-118. (10.1007/978-3-031-31183-3_9)
- Schneider, J. J. et al., 2023. Geometric restrictions to the agglomeration of spherical particles. Presented at: Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation 15th Italian Workshop, WIVACE 2021, Winterthur, Switzerland, Winterthur, Switzerland 15-17 September 2021. Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation 15th Italian Workshop, WIVACE 2021, Winterthur, Switzerland, September 15–17, 2021, Revised Selected Papers. Vol. 1722.Springer. , pp.72-84. (10.1007/978-3-031-23929-8_7)
- Schneider, J. J. et al., 2023. Obstacles on the pathway towards chemical programmability using agglomerations of droplets. Presented at: Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation 15th Italian Workshop, WIVACE 2021 Winterthur, Switzerland 15-17 September 2021. Artificial Life and Evolutionary Computation 15th Italian Workshop, WIVACE 2021, Winterthur, Switzerland, September 15–17, 2021, Revised Selected Papers. Vol. 1722.Springer. , pp.35-50. (10.1007/978-3-031-23929-8_4)
- Schneider, J. J. et al., 2022. Paths in a network of polydisperse spherical droplets. Presented at: ALIFE 2022: The 2022 Conference on Artificial Life Online 18-22 July 2022. The 2022 Conference on Artificial Life Proceedings. MIT Press. (10.1162/isal_a_00502)
- Dimitriou, P. et al. 2022. Active content release from synthetic cell interior towards a novel drug delivery method. Presented at: MicroTAS 2022 Hangzhou, China 23-27 October 2022.
- Dimitriou, P. et al. 2022. Droplet incubator: a new droplet-based model to investigate living cell-synthetic cell interactions. Presented at: MicroTAS 2022 Hangzhou, China 23-27 October 2022.
- Li, J. , Dimitriou, P. and Barrow, D. 2022. Acoustic levitation of complex emulsions and hierarchical soft matter constructs. Presented at: MicroTAS 2022 Hangzhou, China 23-27 October 2022.
- Schneider, J. J. et al., 2021. Influence of the geometry on the agglomeration of a polydisperse binary system of spherical particles. Presented at: ALIFE 2021: The 2021 Conference on Artificial Life Virtual 19-23 July 2021. Published in: Cejkova, J. et al., Proceedings of the ALIFE 2022: The 2022 Conference on Artificial Life. ALIFE 2021: The 2021 Conference on Artificial Life.. MIT Press. , pp.577-585. (10.1162/isal_a_00392)
- Li, J. et al. 2020. Generation of complex emulsions using monolithic, dual material 3D-printed microfluidic devices. Presented at: The 24th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (µTAS 2020) 4-9 October 2020. Cardiff:
- Baxani Kamal, D. et al. 2017. The microfluidic manufacture of encapsulated droplet interface bilayers using a hybrid 3D-printed coaxial device. Presented at: 20th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (MicroTAS 2016) Dublin, Ireland 9-13 October 2016. Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (MicroTAS 2016). Red Hook, New York: Curran Associates, Inc.
- Li, J. et al. 2017. Formation of chemically responsive multisomes using droplet microfluidics. Presented at: 20th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (MicroTAS 2016) Dublin, Ireland 9-13 October 2016. Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (MicroTAS 2016). Red Hook, NY: Curran Associates, Inc.
- Li, J. et al. 2017. An automated system for the shape optimization of double emulsion droplets used in the fabrication of Inertial Fusion Energy target shells. Presented at: The 21st International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (MicroTAS 2017) Cardiff 22-26 October 2017.
- Li, J. and Barrow, D. 2014. Microfluidic encapsulation of droplet assemblies. Presented at: 18th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (MicroTAS 2014) Cardiff 26-30 October 2014.
- Li, J. and Barrow, D. 2014. Rapid and precision mass replication of inertial fusion energy targets with multiphase microfluidics. Presented at: The 18th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences (MicroTAS 2014) Cardiff 26 - 30 October 2014. 18th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences. USA: Chemical and Biological Microsystems Society. , pp.1253-1255.
Thesis
Research
Research contracts:
|
Title |
Role |
Sponsor |
Value |
Duration |
|
Engineering Biology Mission Awards, invited funded extension, entitled "Agriculture Living Machine of Operatable Nano-Droplets (ALMOND)" |
Co-PI |
BBSRC |
£379,452 (total £1,264,841) |
2026-2027 |
|
Research Grant |
PI |
the Royal Society |
£18,756 |
2026 |
|
Research Flexible Fund |
PI |
Cardiff University |
£4,540 |
2025 |
|
MSCA postdoctoral fellowship (fellow: Yigang Shen) |
PI |
European Commission |
€276,187 |
2026-2028 |
|
EPSRC DTP |
Supervisor |
EPSRC |
PhD stipends |
2025-2029 |
|
FAPESP |
Supervisor |
Brazilian funding agency |
$8,837 |
2024-2025 |
|
"Portable Fluidic Pumps" |
PI |
Cardiff School of Engineering |
£6,325 |
2024 |
|
"Nano-Droplet Robots" |
PI |
Cardiff University |
£2,680 |
2024 |
|
Engineering Biology Mission Awards project, entitled "Agriculture Living Machine of Operatable Nano-Droplets (ALMOND)" |
Co-PI |
BBSRC |
£490,900 |
2024-2026 |
|
Bio-HhOST: Next Generation 3D Tissue Models: Bio-Hybrid Hierarchical Organoid-Synthetic Tissues (Bio-HhOST) Comprised of Live and Artificial Cells |
PI |
European Innovation Council (underwrite by Innovate UK) |
£466,313 |
2024-2027 |
|
Microfluidic Perfusion Device for Organoids |
PI |
EPSRC |
£48,524 |
2024 |
|
Biocompatible 3D printed vasculature for bioprinted tissues |
Co-I |
BBSRC |
£49,996 |
2024 |
|
Precision microgel materials for engineering biology |
PI |
Wales Innovation Network |
£10,000 |
2023 |
|
Precision microfabrication (BMF S230) |
PI |
EPSRC |
£321,613 |
2023-2024 |
|
Complex Nanofluid Engineering |
Co-PI |
Cardiff School of Engineering |
£12,000 |
2023-2024 |
|
Robot-assisted synthetic cell and tissue engineering |
PI |
Cardiff School of Engineering |
£6, 625 |
2023 |
Teaching
EN0019 Introduction to Calculus
EN0021 Engineering Applications
EN1215/EN1216/EN2178 Electrical and Electronic Engineering
ENT655 MSc Soft Robotics
Biography
Education
- PhD (2012~2015), School of Engineering, Cardiff University, U.K.
- BEng (2010~2012), School of Engineering, Cardiff University, U.K.
- BEng (2008~2012), North China Electrical Power University (Beijing), China
Work Experience
- 2026 - now, Senior Lecturer in soft matter and microfluidic engineering, Cardiff School of Engineering, Cardiff University.
- 2023 - 2026, Lecturer in soft matter and microfluidic engineering, Cardiff School of Engineering, Cardiff University.
- 2019 - 2022, Researcher co-investigator of EU-H2020 FET Proactive project, entitled “Artificial Cells with Distributed Cores (PN 824060)”. Cardiff School of Engineering, Cardiff University.
- 2018 - 2019, PDRA, project: “Exosome characterization in fluidic environment”, King’s College London.
- 2015 - 2018, Reseacher co-investigator of the NRN (Wales) project, entitled “Laser and microfluidic manufacture of novel bio-diagnostic platforms”. Cardiff School of Engineering, Cardiff University.
Honours and awards
- “Young Scientist Award Finalist” with certificate, by Microsystems & Nanoengineering (Springer Nature) Young Scientist Award Summit 2022.
- Fellow of Higher Education Academy
- Welsh Crucible 2026 Cohort
Professional memberships
Member of Biochemical Society
Young Academic Leads of Association of British Chinese Professors Limited
Member of UK Microsystems Network
Member of EPSRC Peer Review College
Member of European Synthetic Cell Initiative
Member of The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Member of Cardiff Synthetic Biology Initiative
Member of Cardiff School of Engineering EDI committee
Committe Member of Cardiff Science Festival
STEM Ambassador (U.K.)
Speaking engagements
1. Invited talk, “Integrated 3D Microfluidics for Programmable Droplet-based Materials in Engineering Biology”, 1st EPSRC UK Microsystem Symposium, 6th and 7th of July 2026, Cambridge.
2. Poster presentation, “A Biologically Grounded Microrobotic Platform”, Bioinspired materials conference 2026 GRC, 14th- 19th June 2026. Switzerland.
3. Invited talk, “Applied Microfluidics Laboratory”, Cross College Research Collaboration Event, 13th February 2026, Cardiff University.
4. Invited talk, “Applied Microfluidics Laboratory”, Non-animal model for cancer research, 21st January 2026, Cardiff University.
5. Invited talk, “Synthetic Biology and Microfluidic Engineering”, Nanqiang Young Scholars Forum, 26th Dec 2025, Xiamen University.
6. Invited talk, “Creation of artificial cells using 3D-printed microfluidic devices”, Elite Young Scientists Growth Salon, invited by Prof. Yanbin Shi and Prof. Fan Zengjie, 17-18th December 2025, Lanzhou University. https://yxy.lzu.edu.cn/col_xydt1/202512/72C7E26AB9716B46350592286446C5EA.htm
7. Invited talk, “Microelectrodes in Microfluidics for Droplet Sensing and Actuation”, The Panel Session in Smart Energy and Information Technology at 2025 International Conference on the Cooperation and Integration of Industry, Education Research and Application (Tianjin) invited by Prof. Yue Zhou, 15th Nov 2025, Tianjin University, online.
8. Invited talk, “Programming Multicellular Cytomimetic Droplet Microrobots Using Bottom-Up Artificial cells”, oral presentation at Synthetic Biology UK 2025 conference, 12th November 2025.
9. Invited talk, “Perspective: Building cytomimetic microrobot using artificial cells”, invited by Prof. Bruce Drinkwater FREng, 15th October 2025, School of Engineering, the University of Bristol, the UK.
10. Invited talk, “Creation of artificial cells using 3D-printed microfluidic devices”, invited by Prof. Michael Chen, 23rd September 2025, School of Engineering, the University of Edinburgh, the UK.
11. Invited talk, “Microfluidically generated artificial cells and their applications”, at 2025 Forum for Young Scholars, 12th July 2025, ECNU, Shanghai, China.
12. Invited talk, “Constructing microrobots from microfluidically generated artificial cell materials”, at the 14th East Lake International Forum for Outstanding Overseas Young Scholars (Summer), 9th-11th July 2025, HUST, Wuhan, China.
13. Invited talk, “Microelectrodes in Microfluidics for Droplet Sensing and Actuation”, at Microacoustics and Microsensors Symposium 2025, 16th June 2025, Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology, UK.
14. Invited talk, “Creation of artificial cells using 3D-printed microfluidic devices”, at the 10th south lake forum for international young scholars, held by Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China, 17-19, May 2025.
15. Online Seminar, “Droplet microfluidics for compartmentalized biochemistry and organoid engineering”, at Pre- and Postdoc seminar ELM portfolio, held by EU-Engineered Living Material project consortium, 26th March 2025.
16. Invited poster presentation, “Precision microgel materials for engineering biology”, at WIN Impact Report Launch: A Celebration of Welsh Innovation, invited by WIN, at Welsh Parliament, Cardiff, 25th March 2025.
17. Invited talk, “Building hybrid living materials using droplet microfluidics” FNUK Acoustofluidics meeting, held by Prof. Richard Fu, Cambridge, 22nd Nov, 2024.
18. Invited talk, “Can we integrate power engineering and information technology in natural science research?”, Online forum on Smart Energy and Information Technology, held Prof. Yue Zhou, Tianjing University. 21st Nov, 2024.
19. Invited talk, “3D printing fabrication of microfluidic devices and their applications in synthetic biology”, Newcastle University, invited by Prof. Jichun Li, Newcastle, UK, 21, July, 2024.
20. Invited talk, “3D printing fabrication of microfluidic devices and their applications in synthetic biology”, Forum of Intelligence Manufacturing, Zhejiang Normal University, invited by Prof. Yigang Shen, Jinhua, Zhejiang China, 21, June, 2024.
21. Invited talk, “Artificial Cells and 3D-printed Microfluidics”, BBSRC International Partnership - Residential Microfluidics Workshop (Organ-on-a-chip), Chepstow, 28-29, May 2024.
22. Invited talk, “3D-Printed Microfluidics for Artificial Cell Creation”, STJU Trans-med Awards Research, invited by Prof. Hongjing Dou, at SJTU, Shanghai, 8th April, 2024. https://news.sjtu.edu.cn/xsjz/20240402/195532.html
23. Invited talk, “Soft matter and microfluidic engineering” Sound Chemistry, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Glasgow, 7-8 March 2024
24. Invited talk, “Building hybrid materials with artificial cells and living cells using droplet microfluidics” at GW4-Innovations in brain tissue engineering, Bristol, 20-21, November, 2023.
25. Invited talk, “Droplet microfluidics: an emerging technology to bridge tissue engineering and synthetic biology” at CITER annual scientific meeting, 2022.
26. Oral Presentation, “3D printing technologies and microfluidics for the generation of microspheres”, Li J, Royal Academic of Engineering- Young Researchers’ Futures’ Meeting, Edinburgh, U.K. 2018.
27. Oral presentation, “Highly-replicated polymeric target shell fabrication using droplet microfluidics for inertial fusion energy generation”, 6th Euro Target Fabrication Workshop, Greenwich, U.K. 2016.
28. Oral Presentation, “Microfluidic fabrication of inertial confinement fusion targets incorporating carbon nanotubes”, 5th Euro Target Fabrication Workshop, St. Andrews, U.K. 2014.
Committees and reviewing
Reviewer of Royal Society of Chemistry Journals (Lab on a chip, Nanoscale Horizons, PCCP)
Reviewer of Nature Chemical Biology
Reviewer of Advanced Materials
Reviewer of Advanced Materials Technologies
Reviewer of Microsystems & Nanoengineering
Reviewer of Scientific Reports
Reviewer of Journal of Fusion Energy
Reviewer of Chemical Engineering Science
Reviewer of Biomicrofluidics
Reviewer of Manufacturing Letters
Supervisions
I am available to supervise postgraduate research students in the following areas:
- Microfluidics
- Complex emulsions
- Bottom-up synthetic biology
- Soft condensed matter
- Microrobotics
- Micro-/nanoengineering
Current supervision
Past projects
Alumni:
| Name | Position | Time | Move on to |
| Pantelitsa Dimitriou | PhD | 2019-2023 | PDRA, King's College London, UK |
| Francisco Munguia Galeano | Research Assistant | 2023 | PDRA, University of Liverpool, UK |
| Aleksandra Spasova | Research Assistant | 2023 | PhD, Cardiff School of Bioscience, UK |
| David Regan | PDRA | 2024 | PDRA, Cardiff School of Bioscience, UK |
| Gabriel McFarlane | Research Assistant | 2026 | PhD, University of Bristol, UK |
Visiting Scientists:
| Name | Position | Time | Move on to |
| Yigang Shen | PDRA | 2023 |
Associate Professor, Zhejiang Normal University, China |
| Thomas Hohbauer | Undergraduate | 2023 |
Bordeaux University, France |
| Rafaela Figueiredo | Research Assistant | 2025 |
UNICAMP, Brazil |
|
Yina Jiang |
PhD |
2025 |
PhD Xiamen University |
|
Hang Qian |
Research Assistant |
2025 |
PDRA, Huazhong Agriculture University |
Contact Details
Queen's Buildings - South Building, Room S/0.46, 5 The Parade, Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 3AA
Research themes
Specialisms
- Synthetic biology
- Complex emulsions
- COMSOL
- Artificial Cells
- 3D-Printed Microfluidics