We are recruiting multiple PhD Students, Postdocs, and Visiting Scholars

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We are an interdisciplinary research team in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science at Duke University. Our mission is to develop innovative materials and mechanisms to address pressing global challenges in energy, decarbonization, and sustainability.

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Teaching

Spring Semester: ME 331 Thermodynamics (with a theme on the Energy and Sustainability):
This course will cover fundamental principles of thermodynamics, while also addressing the critical role they play in tackling today’s global energy challenges.

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Fall Semester: ME 490 & 555 Carbon Capture and Utilization
This course examines carbon cycle, greenhouse gas management, and the multifaceted materials, engineering, chemical, and environmental approaches to mitigating climate change. Students will engage in in-depth analysis of carbon cycle science across diverse organizations. The course also highlights innovation carbon management technologies, including various strategies such as point source carbon capture, carbon dioxide removal, conversion, transport & storage, as well as delving into advanced energy systems and hydrogen with carbon management.

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Recent News

 

MAY 8, 2025

Dr. Luoxing Xiang was selected as one of the 2025 Carbon Future Young Investigator Honorable Mention Award! Congratulations!!

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APRIL 10, 2025

Feng was selected as one of the 2025 US IUPAC Young Observers and invited to attend IUPAC 2025 in Kuala Lumpur!

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JANUARY 12, 2025
Feng Selected as Early Career Board Member of ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
This recognition reflects Feng's outstanding contributions to the materials field and potential as a future leader in the academic community.

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JANUARY 8, 2025
Bio-inspired Supramolecular Polyhedra Encapsulants: Publication Now on Nature!
12 helical macrocycles assemble into these 2,712-atom polyhedra

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DECEMBER 20, 2024
Feng Group Wins Both Phase I and II Competitions of Bezos Earth Fund $1M Greenhouse Gas Removal Ideation Prize!
Recognized by Bezos Earth Fund $1M Greenhouse Gas Removal Ideation Prize, Feng Group is developing novel techniques for a cleaner-air future.

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DECEMBER 20, 2024
Our pumping project was selected for funding through the GenScript Life Science Research Grant Program
 

OCTOBER 18, 2024
IUPAC Announces “Active Adsorption” Among 2024 Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry
Active adsorption extends the potential of adsorption phenomena and provides a transformative approach to controlling chemistry at surfaces and interfaces.

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OCTOBER 1, 2024
Our Team Received 2024 ACS GCIPR Ignition Grant for Greener Peptide Synthesis
Developing novel methods and strategies for greener synthesis and purification of peptides

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SEPTEMBER 3, 2024
Our First Collaborated Publication from Duke is Now on Nature Chemistry!
High-Performance Porous Crystals Pave the Way for Future Hydrogen Storage in Fuel Cell Vehicles!

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AUGUST 26, 2024 | Duke Engineering
Duke Trailblazer: Liang Feng
Together, Feng’s work is a discovery that breaks with tradition—particularly in the way it can directly impact how carbon dioxide is removed from the air and the ocean.

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JULY 23, 2024 | Duke Engineering
Liang Feng Wins Early Career Award for Carbon-Capture Research
Feng joins IGNIITE 2024, which focuses on early-career scientists and engineers converting disruptive ideas into impactful energy technologies.

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JUNE 28, 2024 | Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy
ARPA-E Announces $11.5 Million to Support 23 Early-Career Innovators Accelerating Transformative Energy Technologies
Inspiring Generations of New Innovators to Impact Technologies in Energy 2024 (IGNIITE 2024) Focuses on Empowering Next Generation of Researchers to Advance U.S. Leadership in the Clean Energy Transition.

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JUNE 25, 2024 | Chemical & Engineering News
Meet the American Chemical Society’s first sustainability star, Liang Feng
Duke University professor develops innovative materials and mechanisms to address global energy, climate, and health challenges.

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JANUARY 26, 2024 | Duke Engineering
Liang Feng and Team Land Funding for Negative Emission Science Research
News of the funded proposal came with an additional moment to celebrate with the Duke MEMS faculty member being named a Scialog Fellow for Negative Emission Science

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NOVEMBER 19, 2023 | DukeStories
Meet Duke’s new climate faculty of 2023
Throughout the disciplines and across its schools and programs, Duke is employing and empowering climate-fluent leaders to educate a new generation of students.

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NOVEMBER 1, 2023
Group Launch
Feng Group Officially Opened on Nov. 1 / Highlighted by The Duke Daily

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SEPTEMBER 26, 2023
Professor Liang Feng Selected as Scialog Fellow for Negative Emission Science
Liang Feng was selected as a Scialog Fellow by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the Research Corporation for Science Advancement (RCSA) and will attend its NES fourth conference on November 15–18, 2023, in Tucson, AZ.

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JULY 21, 2023 | Duke Engineering
Liang Feng: Creating Porous Materials for Enhanced Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Sustainable Energy Solutions
New faculty member Liang Feng is engineering platforms to store gasses for climate and energy applications such as capturing carbon or fueling vehicles.

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MAY 16, 2023 | Northwestern
Liang Feng Will Be Joining Duke University as a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor
Liang Feng will be departing from Northwestern University this fall to embark on his independent academic career at Duke University. He will join Duke University’s Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science (MEMS).

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APRIL 6, 2022 | Science
Tiny labmade motors could one day suck pollutants from the air and harvest precious metals

Tiny motors use chemical fuels to store colored rings on bead-bound rods.​