Electrochemistry is Synonymous to Sustainability, Environmental Protection, & Future

TongLab is a well-equipped electrochemistry research laboratory that focuses on cutting-edge fundamental research in electrocatalysis and nanomaterials science related to clean energy generation/storage and green house gases mitigation. It is also a fun place of scientific discoveries for willing students who aspire to be challenged, well-trained, and highly successful. This is because students will conduct well-mentored independent researches at the leading edges of related interdisciplinary fields that are potentially of great societal impacts. Current researches focus on (1) fundamentals of electrocatalytic chemical reactions for clean energy generation/storage (fuel cells/rechargeable batteries) and greenhouse gases (CH4 and CO2) mitigation that are crucial to reverse the current and deeply worrisome trend of climate changes, (2) chemistry at metal-molecule interfaces for many nanoscience-based applications, or (3) a combination of the two. Therefore, students will have rich opportunities to unravel fundamental chemistries that underline the aforementioned functionalities and contribute intellectually to addressing urgent environmental needs or/and laying foundations for future technological advances. Students are encouraged to explore new research ideas driven by their own curiosities. Research usually includes, but is not limited to, controlled synthesis of inorganic nanomaterials and developing and applying a unique combination of several in situ electrochemical spectroscopies and techniques (NMR, IR, Raman, scanning probe microscope, and quartz crystal microbalance) for mechanistic studies of interesting chemical processes. The research is further augmented by density functional theory (DFT) calculations in close collaboration with NIST scientists.  As a result, TongLab is a multi-disciplinary (inorganic materials chemistry, physical electrochemistry, analytical chemistry, chemistry of organic- and bio-fuels for fuel cells, etc.) place where "learning by doing" is a daily practice, "collaboration & helping each other" is an instinct, "nothing is impossible" is a governing philosophy, and "fun of scientific discovery and enlightenment" is a perpetual pursuit. Students will have plenty of opportunities to learn and perfect some transferable skills that are essential for success in any careers they may pursue afterwards. Track records show that TongLab boasts many honors & awards garnered, scientific presentations given, and papers published by its members, including many undergraduate students. We constantly seek similarly minded students to join the lab and appreciate your interest and taking time to visit this site. Feel free to contact us for more information, or even better, for scheduling an in-person visit to the lab. 

TongLab promotes the practice of the MERJful (mindful, effortful, resourceful & joyful) Way coined by Dr. Tong based on his life-long learning and research experience: being mindful is of maturity and intellectuality, being effortful is of determination and perseverance, being resourceful is of optimism and creativity, and being joyful is of being a good student of processes: "happiness is a choice, not a condition".

Some quotes that further inspire us:

"Try to do something, not to be someone." –– Unknown

"If you start out ahead of the game, it doesn't have to be a lot, but it's so much better than starting out behind the game" –– Warren Buffett

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious" –– Albert Einstein

"Circumstances for discovery cannot be dictated by fiat. They have to be lived through as they arise." –– Erwin L. Hahn

"Success comes from a combination of hard work and realizing that you don't understand something." –– Cherry A. Murray

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." or "己所不欲勿施于人“ –– Golden Rule

"I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been." –– Wayne D. Gretzky

"Don't be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people's thinking." –– Steve Jobs

"The defining factor is not resources but resourcefulness." –– Tony Robbins

"Your last failure is the last thing that happens before your first success."–– Pete Wentz

"If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed" –– Admiral William H. McRaven