Professor Koon-Yang Lee is a distinguished Professor of Polymer Engineering in the Department of Aeronautics at Imperial College London (2022–present), holding a prominent position within the Department of Aeronautics. He currently leads the innovative Future Materials Group, a dynamic research team dedicated to advancing the science of sustainable composite materials. Professor Lee has established himself as a rising leader in the field of nanocellulose composites research, with his work recognized for its exceptional interdisciplinary approach. His academic career reflects a strategic focus on bridging traditionally separate scientific domains including chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, and materials science. Through his visionary leadership, he has positioned Imperial College London at the forefront of renewable materials innovation.
Dr. Lee's groundbreaking contributions have centered on developing chemical engineering-driven nanocellulose composite technologies that address longstanding challenges in materials science. His research group pioneered an innovative method utilizing high performance cellulose nanopaper as a two-dimensional polymer reinforcement, overcoming the critical limitation of incorporating high loading fractions of nanocellulose into polymer matrices through sophisticated lamination processes. This transformative work has enabled the creation of advanced composite materials with applications in high value transparent armor systems where traditional materials prove inadequate. Guided by core research principles of simple design, manufacturability, and radical effects, his approach produces materials that significantly outperform conventional polymers and offer sustainable alternatives to traditional glass fiber-reinforced polymer systems. The interdisciplinary nature of his research bridges multiple scientific fields to create synergistic advancements that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Professor Lee's exceptional contributions have been recognized with the prestigious KINGFA Young Investigator Award from the Cellulose and Renewable Materials Division of the American Chemical Society, sponsored by Kingfa Scientific and Technology Co. His research specifically targets engineering applications that cannot be achieved by conventional polymers alone, establishing new possibilities in sustainable materials science. As a dedicated educator and research leader, he is training the next generation of materials scientists while advancing the field through practical, application-oriented discoveries. Professor Lee's work continues to influence both academic research and industrial applications in renewable materials, with his methods being adopted by scientists and engineers worldwide. His future research directions promise to further expand the capabilities of nanocellulose composites for next-generation engineering solutions across multiple sectors.
