Materials and Processes

My group is interested in using materials science to achieve solutions that find applications in chemical engineering, particularly in separations. 

We specialize in the design and synthesis of porous frameworks using cost-effective commercial materials.  These nanomaterials are used for applications including hydrocarbon purification, energy storage, alcohol recovery and dehydration, and water purification.  These materials can be deployed as adsorbents or as additives in polymer membranes.

Moving into a new era of membranes, we also use nanotechnology to fabricate elegant membrane structures to achieve ultrafast molecular separations that require minimal driving forces during operation.

Our aim is to see deployment of our membranes in the real-world.  The research underpinning this thrust is scale-up production of materials including polymers and additives.  We devise new techniques that are suitable for producing cutting-edge materials from the University of Edinburgh and our international collaborators.

• Bachelor of Science in Nanotechnology (2nd Upper Class)
• Ph. D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

• Polymer membrane separations
• Nanotechnology 
• Scale-up production and application of porous frameworks
• Polymer characterisation

My group is interested in using materials science to achieve solutions that find applications in chemical engineering, particularly in separations. 

We specialize in the design and synthesis of porous frameworks using cost-effective commercial materials.  These nanomaterials are used for applications including hydrocarbon purification, energy storage, alcohol recovery and dehydration, and water purification.  These materials can be deployed as adsorbents or as additives in polymer membranes.

Moving into a new era of membranes, we also use nanotechnology to fabricate elegant membrane structures to achieve ultrafast molecular separations that require minimal driving forces during operation.

Our aim is to see deployment of our membranes in the real-world.  The research underpinning this thrust is scale-up production of materials including polymers and additives.  We devise new techniques that are suitable for producing cutting-edge materials from the University of Edinburgh and our international collaborators.

• Bachelor of Science in Nanotechnology (2nd Upper Class)
• Ph. D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

• Polymer membrane separations
• Nanotechnology 
• Scale-up production and application of porous frameworks
• Polymer characterisation

Professor Guangzhao Mao

Head of the School of Engineering | Chair Professor of Materials Engineering 

Professor Guangzhao Mao is a leading innovator in nanotechnology and materials engineering, shaping the future of nanomedicine and advanced sensor systems. As Head of the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh, she spearheads cutting-edge research that bridges engineering and medicine, unlocking groundbreaking possibilities in drug delivery and nanoscale material applications.

Her pioneering research focuses on two transformative areas:

Electrocrystallization & Nanosensors. Her research unravels the fundamental processes of nucleation and crystal growth in electrodeposition, applying these insights to develop next-generation gas sensors. Her work enhances sensor scalability, with impactful applications in medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and industrial automation. Her breakthroughs in integrating nanosensors into larger systems are redefining their real-world potential.

Nanotechnology & Neuroscience. Merging nanotechnology with neuroscience, Mao’s team is developing revolutionary drug delivery systems targeting the central nervous system. Her protein-drug nanoconjugates offer a novel way to bypass the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a long-standing challenge in treating neurological disorders. This innovative approach has already shown promising results in enhancing respiratory function for spinal cord injury, with significant implications for neurodegenerative disease treatments. Her latest advancements include a microfluidic cell-based assay that accelerates drug screening and preclinical evaluations.

Global Recognition & Leadership

Before joining the University of Edinburgh, Professor Mao led as Head of the School of Chemical Engineering at UNSW Sydney, where she continues as an Adjunct Professor. Her global influence is reflected in prestigious accolades, including:✔ Fulbright Senior Scholarship✔ Visiting Professorship at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces✔ Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)✔ Career Award from the U.S. National Science Foundation

With an impressive track record of driving scientific innovation, Professor Mao continues to push the boundaries of chemical & materials engineering, shaping the next generation of engineering solutions with real-world impact.

B.Sc., Ph.D.