Research Summary

Education

  • PhD Materials Science & Engineering, NUS, Singapore, 2018
  • B.E. Materials Science & Engineering, CEG, Anna University, India, 2014

Contacts

Research Interest

Research Interest: Our research aims to bridge materials science and bioscience in the design of functional devices for clean energy and clean water technologies using biogenic, biohybrid, and bioinspired materials, thereby blurring the boundary between “natural” and “artificial”. Our research spans sustainable fuel and chemical production through the development of novel earth-abundant catalyst systems across photocatalysis, piezocatalysis, and biocatalysis. By integrating concepts from materials science, catalysis, and biological systems, we seek to develop next-generation approaches for solar-to-chemical conversion, environmental remediation, and water–energy sustainability.

In parallel, our group explores advanced materials for the water–energy nexus, including hydrogels, photothermal materials, and catalytic interfaces for applications such as atmospheric water harvesting, desalination, and sustainable water treatment. Through this interdisciplinary approach, we aim to address critical challenges at the intersection of water and energy using materials-driven solutions inspired by both natural and engineered systems. For more information, please visit Message¯ Lab

Expertise

Artificial Photosynthesis
Photocatalysis
Piezocatalysis
Biohybrids
Hydrogels and Humidity-Responsive Materials
Plastic Waste Upcycling

Highlights

Selected Publications

  1. X Ruan, C Ding, H Cai, R Jiang*, M Xu, D Meng, G Fang, D Zhang, L Wang, X Cui*, H Huang*, SK Ravi* Bulk polarization fields and interfacial electron sink in MXene-modified iodine-doped Bi4Ti3O12 enhance piezocatalytic H2O2 generationNature Communications17, 3915 (2026).  
  1. X Ruan, C Ding, D Jiao*, J Leng, M Xu, B Li, Z Yu, X Cui, JC Yu, Y Zhu*, SK Ravi* Ga-on-In Substitution with Zn Vacancies in Zn3In2S6 Induces ElectronHole Asymmetry and InO Bond Weakening for Coupled Two-Electron Oxygen Reduction and H2O2 StabilizationAdvanced Materials (2026):  e22831  
  1. S Guo, S Patel, J Wang, Z Yu, H Qu, S Zhang, K Yu, S Liu, JJ Koh, XQ Koh, ZE Ooi, DHL Seng, W Sun, L Yang, Y Zhang, J Wang, SK Ravi*, C Yu*, SC Tan* Self-powered green energy–harvesting and sensing interfaces based on hygroscopic gel and water-locking effectsScience Advances (2025): eadw5991 
  1. D Zhang, X Ruan*, L Wang, B Cheng, M Xu, C Ding, H Huang*SK Ravi*Enhanced Lattice Polarization and Directed Charge Transport Toward Pt Surface Sites Accelerate the Volmer Step in Piezocatalytic H2 Evolution on Co-Doped BiFeO3Advanced Energy Materials (2026): e70895.  
  1. X Ruan, C Ding, J Leng, D Jiao, X Zhang, M Xu, D Meng, X Cui*, Z Zheng, Y Zhu*,  SK Ravi* Decoupling of Carrier Pathways in Au/Cu-Zn3In2S6 Through Bulk Hole Trapping and Surface Hot Electron Accumulation Enhances Photocatalytic Hydrogen Peroxide Production, Advanced Materials (2025):  e11422 

Research Groups