Professor at Northeast forestry University, China
Professor Likun Gao is a pioneering researcher in the interdisciplinary field of advanced wood-based materials, serving at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, China. His work is at the forefront of integrating wood science with cutting-edge nanotechnology, particularly focusing on wood nanogenerators, electrocatalytic wood, and multifunctional self-healing materials. With a robust foundation in wood science and engineering, he has rapidly ascended as an influential academic voice in materials research. His innovations have practical implications for sustainable energy, water splitting, environmental sensing, and extreme-condition applications. Professor Gao has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications in premier journals such as Chem. Soc. Rev., PNAS, Energy & Environmental Science, and Advanced Functional Materials. His contributions include several highly cited papers and journal covers, affirming the novelty and impact of his research. He also holds multiple patents and has co-authored important book chapters related to electrocatalysis and wood-based functional materials. Recognized through prestigious programs like China’s National Ten Thousand Talents and the CAST Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship, Gao exemplifies the next generation of scientific leadership in sustainable and intelligent materials. His commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific innovation positions him as a transformative figure in applied materials science.
Professional Profile
Education
Likun Gao’s educational journey reflects a deep and consistent focus on wood science and materials engineering, beginning with a Bachelor of Science in Wood Science and Engineering from Northeast Forestry University in 2014. Demonstrating early academic promise, he pursued his doctoral studies at the same institution, earning a Ph.D. in Wood Science and Technology in 2020. His doctoral research was marked by a growing interest in integrating biological materials with nanotechnology to produce functional composites. As part of his Ph.D. program, Gao was selected for an international research stint at the Georgia Institute of Technology, USA, from 2018 to 2020. There, he expanded his expertise in materials science and engineering, engaging with global experts and exploring the intersection of nanomaterials and bio-based resources. This international exposure enriched his methodological rigor and allowed him to contribute to several high-impact collaborations. His academic background forms the backbone of his innovative research portfolio and underpins his current leadership in multifunctional wood-based materials. The comprehensive, cross-continental training he received has equipped him with a unique perspective on the potential of sustainable materials in modern technology.
Professional Experience
Since March 2021, Professor Likun Gao has been serving as a full Professor at Northeast Forestry University’s School of Materials Science and Engineering. In this role, he leads a dynamic research group exploring the frontier of wood nanotechnology and sustainable energy materials. Building on his doctoral and international postdoctoral experiences, he has established an impressive track record of research output and innovation. Under his leadership, the lab has produced over 40 peer-reviewed journal articles, numerous high-impact papers, and several patents. His collaborations span interdisciplinary teams focused on energy conversion, smart materials, and environmental responsiveness. In addition to his scientific output, Professor Gao is also dedicated to mentoring students and early-career researchers. He regularly supervises graduate students, fostering an environment of creativity, innovation, and academic rigor. His teaching responsibilities include advanced courses in nanomaterials, wood science, and electrocatalysis. Beyond academic instruction, Gao actively contributes to national and international research projects and often serves as a reviewer for top-tier journals. His role as a professor is multifaceted—blending research, mentorship, collaboration, and academic service—which has rapidly elevated his stature in China’s scientific community and beyond.
Research Interest
Professor Likun Gao’s research interests lie at the convergence of sustainable materials science and advanced nanotechnology, focusing particularly on wood-derived functional materials. One of his core areas is the development of wood nanogenerators, including piezoelectric and triboelectric devices, as well as cellulose-based systems. These innovations provide new pathways for harvesting renewable energy from environmental sources, especially in flexible and wearable electronics. Another major focus is electrocatalytic wood, where Gao engineers wood-based single-atom electrocatalysts for applications like water splitting, targeting efficient and green hydrogen production. He also pioneers in multifunctional, self-healing wood-based materials that exhibit unique properties such as photothermal responsiveness, anti-icing, sensing, and environmental adaptability. These materials are particularly promising for use in extreme weather conditions and smart infrastructure. His research approach is distinctly bioinspired, aiming to replicate or enhance natural functionalities through molecular-level material engineering. By leveraging the structural anisotropy and hierarchical nature of wood, Gao is able to design novel platforms for catalysis and energy generation. His interests also span surface reconstruction mechanisms, dynamic active-site modulation, and intelligent material design, reflecting a deep commitment to creating smart, eco-friendly technologies.
Research Skills
Professor Gao possesses a robust and multifaceted skill set that bridges wood science, nanotechnology, materials engineering, and electrocatalysis. His expertise includes the fabrication and functionalization of wood-derived nanogenerators, capable of converting mechanical energy into electrical energy through triboelectric and piezoelectric effects. He is also skilled in the design and synthesis of single-atom electrocatalysts embedded in wood substrates, which are essential for enhancing the kinetics of water-splitting reactions. Gao’s technical toolkit includes advanced material characterization techniques such as SEM, TEM, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, and in situ operando methods, which he uses to explore catalytic mechanisms and interface dynamics. Additionally, he has substantial experience in surface modification strategies to imbue wood-based composites with photothermal, hydrophobic, and self-healing properties. His lab routinely integrates superhydrophobic coatings, carbonization techniques, and atomic doping to create responsive multifunctional materials. Professor Gao also has notable strengths in writing scientific publications, securing research grants, and patenting novel technologies. His collaborative work with international teams underscores his ability to work across disciplines and cultural contexts, making him an agile and resourceful scientist in the global research landscape.
Awards and Honors
Professor Likun Gao has garnered widespread recognition for his pioneering work in wood-based functional materials, receiving numerous prestigious awards that underscore his contributions to scientific innovation and academic excellence. In 2023, he was selected for China’s National Ten Thousand Talents Program for High-level Young Talents—one of the country’s highest honors for young researchers. A year prior, in 2022, he was awarded the Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), an accolade reserved for researchers demonstrating extraordinary potential in advancing science and technology. He also received the Excellent Young Scholar Award from the Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province, recognizing his outstanding research in applied materials. Professor Gao has contributed to 3 book chapters and authored over 40 high-quality journal articles, several of which were highlighted as ESI Highly Cited Papers, journal cover stories, or Hot Papers. His intellectual property portfolio includes five patents, reflecting a commitment to practical innovation. These honors collectively affirm his leadership in the field and serve as milestones in a career defined by creativity, scientific rigor, and impactful problem-solving.
Conclusion
In summary, Professor Likun Gao stands as a dynamic and forward-thinking figure in the fields of materials science and wood-based nanotechnology. His research bridges the gap between nature and cutting-edge engineering, offering solutions for sustainable energy, smart materials, and functional composites. With a strong academic foundation, international exposure, and a commitment to interdisciplinary research, Gao has built a formidable reputation as a scientist, educator, and innovator. His work is not only scientifically profound but also socially and environmentally relevant, addressing global challenges like clean energy, climate resilience, and sustainable resource use. Through a combination of technical expertise, scholarly productivity, and leadership, Professor Gao has earned national and international recognition. As a young academic leader, he continues to push the boundaries of material innovation while fostering the next generation of researchers. With a track record of high-impact publications, prestigious awards, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, he is well-positioned to influence both academic advancements and industrial applications. The trajectory of his career reflects a deep-seated passion for discovery and a vision for materials that are both intelligent and sustainable.
Publications Top Notes
-
Title: Wood-based triboelectric nanogenerator integrated with superhydrophobicity and photothermal-induced self-healing for high-temperature and high-humidity environment
Authors: M. Wang, X. Li, D. Lv, P. He, C. Yang, J. Li, L. Gao*
Year: 2025
-
Title: High-Loading Single Atoms via Hierarchically Porous Nanospheres for Oxygen Reduction Reaction with Superior Activity and Durability
Year: 2025
-
Title: Self-supported N-doped carbon-coupled Ni–Co binary nanoparticle electrodes derived from bionic design of wood cell walls for durable overall water splitting
Authors: C. Yang, R. Jin, Z. Liu, S. Li, D. Lv, J. Liu, J. Li, Z. Lin*, L. Gao*
Journal: Journal of Materials Chemistry A
Year: 2024
-
Title: Collaborative integration of ultrafine Fe₂P nanocrystals into Fe, N, P-codoped carbon nanoshells for highly-efficient oxygen reduction
Year: 2023
Citations: 56