Publications

35. Near-infrared II fluorescence imaging. E. L. Schmidt, Z. Ou, E. Ximendes, H. Cui, C. H. C. Keck, D. Jaque, and G. Hong. Nature Review Methods Primers 4, 23 (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s43586-024-00301-x.

34. Isolation and anticancer progression evaluation of the chemical constituents from Bridelia balansae Tutcher. L. Zhao†, W.-J. Xie†, Y.-X. Du†, Y.-X. Xia, K.-L. Liu, C.-F Ku, Z. Ou, M.-Z. Wang, H.-J. Zhang. Molecules 28, 16, 6165 (2023). DOI: 10.3390/molecules28166165.

33. Understanding ZIF particle chemical etching dynamics and morphology manipulation: In-situ liquid phase electron microscopy and 3D electron tomography application. Q. Chang†, D. Yang†, X. Zhang, Z. Ou, J. Kim,  T. Liang, J. Chen, S. Cheng, L. Cheng, B. Ge, E. H. Ang, H. Xiang, M. Li, and X. Song. Nanoscale 15, 13718–13727 (2023). DOI: 10.1039/D3NR02357E.

32. Quantifying the morphologies evolution of lithium battery materials using operando electron microscopy. Q. Chang, Y. X. A. Ng, D. Yang, J. Chen, T. Liang, S. Chen, X. Zhang, Z. Ou, J. Kim, E. H. Ang, and, X. Song. ACS Materials Letters 5, 6, 1506–1526 (2023). DOI: 10.1021/acsmaterialslett.3c00065.

31. Unravelling crystal growth of nanoparticles. B. Luo†, Z. Wang†, T. Curk, G. Watson, C. Liu, A. Kim, Z. Ou, E. Luijten, and Q. Chen. Nature Nanotechnology 18, 589–595 (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01355-w. Report by ILLINOIS NEWS: “Researchers reveal real-time glimpse into growth habits of nanoparticles.” Report by NORTHWESTERN NOW: “Watch Nanoparticles Grow into Crystals.” Mentions in other news and blogs including: Scitech Daily, EurekAlert!, NuevoPeriodico, ScienMag, Phys.org, Nanowerk, and Knowledia.

30. Direct imaging of the kinetic crystallization pathway: Simulation and liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy observations. Z. Xu, and Z. Ou*. materials 16, 5, 2026 (2023). DOI: 10.3390/ma16052026. Guest editor for the special issue “Self-Assembly and Non-equilibrium Behaviors in Soft Matter Systems. Chosen as Editors’ Highlight on Soft Matter.

29. High-resolution electron tomography of ultrathin Boerdijk-Coxeter-Bernal nanowire enabled by super-thin metal surface coating. X. Song†*, X. Zhang†, Q. Chang, X. Yao, M. Li, R. Zhang, X. Liu, C. Song, Y. X. A. Ng, E. H. Ang, and Z. Ou*. Small, 18, 2203310 (2022). DOI: 10.1002/smll.202203310.

28. A biomineral-inspired approach of producing water-soluble solid-state nanophosphors as a systemic light source in vivo. F. Yang†, X. Wu†, H. Cui, Z. Ou, S. Jiang, S. Cai, Q. Zhou, B. G. Wong, H. Huang, and G. Hong. Science Advances 8, eabo6743 (2022). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo6743.

27. Shedding light on neurons: Optical interfaces for neuromodulation. J. Shan, X. Wu, N. J. Rommelfanger, Z. Ou, and G. Hong. National Science Review 9, nwac007 (2022). DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwac007.

26. Palette of rechargeable mechanoluminescent fluids produced by a biomineral-inspired suppressed dissolution approach. F. Yang†, X. Wu†, H. Cui†, S. Jiang, Z. Ou, S. Cai, and G. Hong. Journal of American Chemical Society 144, 40, 18406–18418 (2022).DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c06724.

25. Carbon nanotube bundles for radio frequency hyperthermia enhancement. N. J. Rommelfanger, K. Brinson, J. E. Bailey, A. M. Bancroft, Z. Ou, and G. Hong. Nanotechnology 33, 345102 (2022). DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ac6cf8.

24. Mechanism and performance relevance of nanomorphogenesis in polyamide films resolved by quantitative 3D imaging and machine learning. H. An, J. W. Smith, B. Ji, S. Cotty, S. Zhou, L. Yao, F. C. Kalutanitirige, W. Chen, Z. Ou, X. Su, J. Feng, and Q. Chen. Science Advances 8, eabk1888 (2022). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abk1888. Report by ILLINOIS NEWS: “Water filtration membranes morph like cells.” Mentions in other news and blogs including: True Viral News, Science Daily, Mirage News, ScienMag, Nanowerk, EurekAlert!, Bioengineer.org, and Phys.org.

23. Revealing structure properties of ZIF-8 particles prepared by wet chemical etching via 3D electron tomography. X. Song†, Z. Ou†, X. Hu†, X. Zhang, M. Lin, L. Wen, and M. Li. ACS Materials Letters 3, 2, 171–178 (2021). DOI: 10.1021/acsmaterialslett.0c00398.

22. Differential heating of metal nanostructures at radio frequencies. N. J. Rommelfanger, Z. Ou, C. H.C. Keck, and G. Hong. Physical Review Applied 15, 054007 (2021). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevApplied.15.054007.

21. Direct imaging on the deformation and sintering of polymeric particles at the nanoscale by liquid-phase TEM. C. Liu, Z. Ou, and Q. Chen. Microscopy and Microanalysis 27, S1, 2630–2632 (2021). DOI: 10.1017/S1431927621009326.

20. Bioinspired nanoantennas for opsin sensitization in optogenetic applications: a theoretical investigation. C. H.C. Keck†, N. J. Rommelfanger†, Z. Ou, and G. Hong. Multifunctional Materials 4, 024002 (2021). DOI: 10.1088/2399-7532/abf0f9.

19. Nanoscopic morphological effect on optical properties of polymer-grafted gold polyhedra. J. Lee†, C. Bae†, Z. Ou, S. Park, J. Kim, and J. Kim. Nanoscale Advances 3, 1927–1933 (2021). DOI: 10.1039/D1NA00035G. Back cover of the issue.

18. Controlling the anisotropic surface wetting of metal nanoparticles by competitive ligands packing strategy: Implications for encapsulation. X. Song†, X. Zhang†, Z. Ou, Y.-Q. Zhang, and M. Li. ACS Applied Nano Materials 4, 11, 11458–11465 (2021). DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.1c02276.

17. Kinetic pathways of crystallization at the nanoscale. Z. Ou†, Z. Wang†, B. Luo, E. Luijten, and Q. Chen. Nature Materials 19, 450–455 (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41563-019-0514-1. Highlight on Nature Materials, “Seeing crystal formation one particle at a time.” DOI: 10.1038/s41563-020-0649-0. Highlight on Chinese Science Bulletin, “Nonclassical crystallization pathways of nanoparticle superlattices.” DOI: 10.1360/TB-2019-0789. Report by ILLINOIS NEWS: “Crystallization clarified, researchers report.” Report by NORTHWESTERN NOW: “Watching materials crystallize.” Report by MRSBulletin: “Crystallization pathway imaged in real time at the nanoscale.” Report by Materials Today: “New technique provides unprecedented insight into crystallization.” Mentions in other news and blogs including: Phys.org and Long Room.

16. Imaging how thermal capillary waves and anisotropic interfacial stiffness shape nanoparticle supracrystals. Z. Ou, L. Yao, H. An, B. Shen, and Q. Chen. Nature Communications 11, 4555 (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18363-2. Chosen as Editors’ Highlight on Inorganic, Nanoscale and Physical Chemistry. Highlighted on Nature Device & Materials Engineering Research Communities: “Shaping of crystals at the nanoscale by anisotropic capillary waves.”

15. Nanoscale cinematography of soft matter system under liquid-phase TEM. Z. Ou, C. Liu, L. Yao, and Q. Chen. Accounts of Materials Research 1, 1, 41–52 (2020). DOI: 10.1021/accountsmr.0c00013.

14. Machine-learning revealed nanoparticle dynamics from liquid-phase TEM videos. L. Yao, Z. Ou, B. Luo, C. Xu, and Q. Chen. ACS Central Science 6, 8, 1421–1430 (2020). DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.0c00430. Report by ILLINOIS NEWS: “Machine learning peeks into nano-aquariums.” Front cover for the August issue ACS Central Science in 2020. Mentions in other news and blogs including: Nanotechnology Now, 7th Space, Nanowerk, EurekAlert!, Scitech Daily, ScienMag, Science Daily, Bioengineer.org,  and Phys.org.

13. Colloid–atom duality in the assembly dynamics of concave gold nanoarrows. C. Liu, Z. Ou, F. Guo, B. Luo, W. Chen, L. Qi, and Q. Chen. Journal of American Chemical Society 142, 27, 11669–11673 (2020). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c04444.

12. Monolithic mTesla level magnetic induction by self-rolled-up membrane technology. W. Huang, Z. Yang, M. D. Kraman, Q. Wang, Z. Ou, M. Munoz-Rojo, A. S. Yalamarthy, F. Lian, V. Chen, H.K. Ni, S. Liu, H. Yu, L. Sang, J. Michaels, D. J. Sievers, G. Eden, P. V. Braun, Q. Chen, S. Gong, D. G. Senesky, E. Pop and X. Li. Science Advances 6, 3, eaay4508 (2020). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aay4508. Report by ILLINOIS NEWS: “Researchers expand microchip capability with new 3D inductor technology.” Mentions in other news and blogs including: Lab Manager, Tech Xplore, EurekAlert!, Long Room, Science Daily, Tech Explorist, and Bioengineer.org.

11. Charting the quantitative relationship between two-dimensional morphology parameters of polyamide membranes and synthesis conditions. H. An, J. W. Smith, W. Chen, Z. Ou, and Q. Chen. Molecular System Design & Engineering 5, 102–109 (2020). DOI: 10.1039/C9ME00132H. Front cover for the issue and featured as a HOT article.

10. Reconfigurable nanoscale soft materials. Z. Ou, A. Kim, W. Huang, P. V. Braun, X. Li and Q. Chen. Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Sciences 23, 1, 41–49 (2019). DOI: 10.1016/j.cossms.2018.12.002. Invited review and front cover for the issue “Active and adaptive soft matter.”

9. Liquid-phase TEM imaging of self-assembly pathways of anisotropic nanoparticles. Z. Ou, B. Luo, C. Liu, and Q. Chen. Microscopy and Microanalysis 25, S2, 1414–1415 (2019). DOI: 10.1017/S1431927619007803.

8. Effects of particle size on Mg2+ ion intercalation into λ‑MnO2 cathode materials. W. Chen, X. Zhan, B. Luo, Z. Ou, P.-C. Shih, L. Yao, S. Pidaparthy, A. Patra, H. An, P. V. Braun, R. M. Stephens, H. Yang, J.-M. Zuo, Q. Chen. Nano Letters 19, 7, 4712–4720 (2019). DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b01780.

7. Colloidal metal–organic framework hexapods prepared from postsynthesis etching with enhanced catalytic activity and rollable packing. Z. Ou†, X. Song†, W. Huang, X. Jiang, S. Qu, Q. Wang, P. V. Braun, J. S. Moore, X. Li, and Q. Chen. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 10, 48, 40990–40995 (2018). DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b17477. Entered 2019 MRS Spring Meeting “Science as Art” finalist. Selected as Image of the Month for May 2020 in the MatSE department of UIUC.

6. Hierarchical self-assembly of 3D lattices from polydisperse anisometric colloids. B. Luo, A. Kim, J. W. Smith, Z. Ou, Z. Wu, J. Kim, Q. Chen. Nature Communications 10, 1815 (2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09787-6. Report by ILLINOIS NEWS: “Multistep self-assembly opens door to new reconfigurable materials.” Report by Materials Today: “Multiple different particles self-assemble in multiple phases.” Mentions in other news and blogs including: EE World Online, Azom.com, Design World, Nanotechnology Now, EurekAlert!, Long Room, Tech Explorist, and Phys.org.

5. Reconfigurable polymer shells on shape-anisotropic gold nanoparticle cores. J. Kim, X. Song, A. Kim, B. Luo, J. W. Smith, Z. Ou, Z. Wu, and Q. Chen. Macromolecular Rapid Communications 39, 1800101 (2018). DOI: 10.1002/marc.201800101.

4. Imaging the polymerization of multivalent nanoparticles in solution. J. Kim, Z. Ou, M. R. Jones, X. Song, and Q. Chen. Nature Communications 8, 761 (2017). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00857-1. Report by ILLINOIS NEWS: “Tiny aquariums put nanoparticle self-assembly on display.” Report by Materials Today: “New technique provides unprecedented insight into crystallization.” Mentions in other news and blogs including: Nanowerk, EurekAlert!, Phys.org, Long Room, Controlled Environments, Science Newsline, Azonano, and Technology.org.

3. Quantifying the self-assembly behavior of anisotropic nanoparticles using liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy. B. Luo, J. W. Smith, Z. Ou, and Q. Chen. Accounts of Chemical Research 50, 5, 1125–1133 (2017). DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.7b00048.

2. Polymerization-like coassembly of silver nanoplates and patchy spheres. B. Luo, J. W. Smith, Z. Wu, J. Kim, Z. Ou, and Q. Chen. ACS Nano 11, 8, 7626–7633 (2017). DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b02059.

1.  In situ electron microscopy imaging and quantitative structural modulation of nanoparticle superlattices. J. Kim, M. R. Jones, Z. Ou, and Q. Chen. ACS Nano 10, 11, 9801–9808 (2016). DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.6b05270. Highlighted and interviewed by ACS Nano podcast (Nov. 2016, Episode 112).