91ɫ��

Research Interests

Responsive biomaterials, advanced manufacturing, wearable and implantable devices

My research integrates responsive biomaterials, advanced manufacturing, and wearable and implantable devices at multi-scale aiming for tackling challenges in healthcare and sustainability.��

Our lab develops innovative platforms (e.g., 2D and 3D printing systems) for the deliberate design and discovery of biomaterials with exceptional optical (e.g., second harmonic generation) and electrical properties (e.g., piezoelectricity and ferroelectricity). For instance, our nanolithography system (2D printing) allows for high throughput synthesizing biomolecular nanocrystals massively and parallelly, while our electric-field-assisted 3D printing system can produce architected bulk mechanoresponsive structures with tissue-mimic properties. We then apply these functional biomaterials and crystals to create biomimetic battery-free intelligent devices for advanced healthcare application. These devices will not only mechanically mimic tissues and organs to enable biological functions but also incorporate electronic capabilities to provide healthcare solutions including sensing and electro-stimulating.

Societal Impact

The aging global population drives the urgent needs for advanced healthcare materials and related devices to restore body functions, improve life quality, and expand life longevity. My research developing novel responsive biomaterials and devices can provide solutions to address the current challenges in healthcare and sustainability.

Teaching

MSEN 5470 - Materials Composition��& Structure - Fall 2025

Background

Dr. Jun Li is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering Program at 91ɫ��. He received his B. Eng. from Zhejiang University, China in 2016 and earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2021. He then completed his postdoctoral training in the Department of Chemistry at Northwestern University. Dr. Li’s works have been published in journals including Science, Nature Communications, Science Advances, and Advanced Materials, and have been highlighted by Science, NIBIB News & Events, Forbes, and other media outlets.

Select Publications

• F. Yang#, J. Li#, et al, Wafer-scale heterostructured piezoelectric bio-organic thin films, Science 2021, 373, 337-342.
• J. Li, et al, Non‐Centrosymmetric Single Crystalline Biomolecular Nano‐Arrays for Responsive Electronics, Advanced Materials 2024, 2408153
• J. Li, et al, Stretchable piezoelectric biocrystal thin films, Nature Communications 2023, 14, 6562.
• J. Li, et al, Bulk ferroelectric metamaterial with enhanced piezoelectric and biomimetic mechanical properties from additive manufacturing, ACS Nano 2021, 15, 14903-14914.
• J. Li, et al, Multifunctional Artificial Artery from Direct 3D Printing with Built‐In Ferroelectricity and Tissue‐Matching Modulus for Real‐Time Sensing and Occlusion Monitoring, Adv. Funct. Mater. 2020, 30, 2002868.

Select Awards

• 2025 - IIN Outstanding Researcher Visionary Award, Northwestern University
• 2024 -Best Presentation Award, 7th International Conference on Nanogenerators and Piezotronics
• 2022 - Outstanding Reviewer, Nanoscale & Nanoscale Advances, Royal Society of Chemistry
• 2021 - Outstanding Student Researcher Award, Energy Materials and Systems Division, The American Ceramic Society
• 2020 - Turnbull Award for Best Research Paper, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Select Professional Activities

• Session Chair of 7th International Conference of Nanogenerator and Piezotronics
• Guest Editors of MedMat, Frontiers in Chemistry, and Micromachines