Daniel Liu, Ph.D.

Dr. Liu's expertise includes polymer, composite and nanocomposite technologies, polymer failure mechanisms, structure-property relationships, polymer toughening and strengthening, and materials characterization. Dr. Liu has a strong background in polymer synthesis, formulation, compatibilization, compounding, and processing. He has hands-on experience in various applications of polymers, including structural materials, adhesives, coatings, food packaging, and electronic packaging. Dr. Liu also has proven proficiency in a variety of materials characterization/analysis techniques, including mechanical testing (both static and dynamic), fracture property evaluation, thermal analysis, microscopy, spectroscopy, rheology, and moisture/gas permeability measurements.

Dr. Liu has approximately 10 years research and development experience in materials/polymers related areas. Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Liu performed research on the fracture behaviors and toughening mechanisms of polymers, composites, and nanocomposites. He provided consulting services to industrial clients related to development and performance of epoxy thermosets, polyolefins, blends, nanocomposites, laminate films, biodegradable plastics, and electronic packaging materials. He has held research appointments at Texas A&M University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Fudan University.

Liu J, Sue H-J, Thompson ZJ, Bates FS, Dettloff M, Jacob G, Verghese N, Pham H. Effect of crosslink density on fracture behavior of model epoxies containing block copolymer nanoparticles. Polymer 2009, in press.

Liu J. Toughening of epoxies based on self-assembly of nano-sized amphiphilic block copolymer micelles. Texas A&M University Dissertation, 2009.

Liu J, Sue H-J, Thompson ZJ, Bates FS, Dettloff M, Jacob G, Verghese N, Pham H. Strain rate effect on toughening of nano-sized PEP-PEO block copolymer modified epoxy. Acta Materialia 2009; 57:2691–2701.

Sun L, Liu J, Kirumakki S, Schwerdtfeger ED, Howell RJ, Al-Bahily K, Miller SA, Clearfield A, Sue H-J. Polypropylene nanocomposites based on designed synthetic nanoplatelets. Chemistry of Materials 2009; 21:1154–1161.

Thompson ZJ, Hillmyer MA, Liu J, Sue H-J, Dettloff M, Bates FS. Block copolymer toughened epoxy: Role of cross-link density. Macromolecules 2009; 42:2333–2335.

Sun L, Boo WJ, Liu J, Clearfield A, Sue H-J, Verghese NE, Pham HQ, Bicerano J. Effect of nanoplatelets on the rheological behavior of epoxy monomers. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering 2009; 294:103–113.

Gomes C, Castell-Perez ME, Chimbombi E, Barros F, Sun D, Liu J, Sue H-J, Sherman P, Dunne P, Wright AO. Effect of oxygen-absorbing packaging on the shelf life of a liquid-based component of military operational rations. Journal of Food Science 2009; 74:E167-E176.

Liu J, Sue H-J, Thompson ZJ, Bates FS, Dettloff M, Jacob G, Verghese N, Pham H. Nano-cavitation in self-assembled amphiphilic block copolymer-modified epoxy. Macromolecules 2008; 41:7616–7624.

Sun L, Boo WJ, Liu J, Tien CW, Sue H-J, Mullins MJ, Pham H. Preparation of intercalating agent-free epoxy/clay nanocomposites. Polymer Engineering & Science 2007; 47:1708–1714.

Boo WJ, Sun L, Liu J, Clearfield A, Sue H-J. Effective intercalation and exfoliation of nanoplatelets in epoxy via creation of porous pathways. Journal of Physical Chemistry C 2007; 111:10377–10381.

Boo WJ, Sun L, Liu J, Clearfield A, Sue H-J, Mullins MJ, Pham H. Morphology and mechanical behavior of exfoliated epoxy/α-zirconium phosphate nanocomposites. Composites Science and Technology 2007; 67:262–269.

Boo WJ, Sun L, Liu J, Moghbelli E, Clearfield A, Sue H-J. Effect of nanoplatelet dispersion on mechanical behavior of polymer nanocomposites. Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics 2007; 45:1459–1469.

Liu J, Boo WJ, Clearfield A, Sue H-J. Intercalation and exfoliation: A review on morphology of polymer nanocomposites reinforced by inorganic layer structures. Materials and Manufacturing Processes 2006; 21:143–151.

Boo WJ, Liu J, Sue H-J. Fracture behaviour of nanoplatelet reinforced polymer nanocomposites. Journal of Materials Sciences and Technology 2006; 22:829–834.

Liu J. Polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites: synthesis, structure and properties. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Thesis, 2004.

Chen B, Liu J, Chen H, Wu JS. Synthesis of disordered and highly exfoliated epoxy/clay nanocomposites using organoclay with catalytic function via acetone-clay slurry method. Chemistry of Materials 2004; 16:4864–4866.

Ming M, Liu J, Huang L, Liu J, Li QG, Ding JD. Characteristics and potential application of bacteriorhodopsin/polymer functional composite film. Journal of Functional Polymers 2003; 16:405–411.

Huang L, Ming M, Liu J, Liu J, Li QG, Ding JD. Preparation of liposome containing bacteriorhodopsin with natural preferred orientation and detection of its transient photoresponse. Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica 2003; 35:391–395.

Liu J. Preparation and investigation of optical materials based on bacteriorhodopsin. Fudan University Thesis, 2002.

Liu J, Ming M, Liu J, Huang L, Li QG, Ding JD. Preparation and study of bacteriorhodopsin/poly (vinyl alcohol) composite film. Acta Chimica Sinica 2002; 60:2209–2213.

Huang L, Liu J, Ming M, Liu J, Li QG, Ding JD. Self-assembly of bacteriorhodopsin in liposome. Journal Liquid Crystal Polymer Supermolecules, 2002; 157–161.

Conference Proceedings and Presentations

Liu J, Sue H-J, Thompson ZJ, Bates FS. Structure-property relationship of nanostructured epoxies containing self-assembled block copolymer nanoparticles. 238th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, Washington, DC, 2009.

Liu J, Sue H-J, Thompson ZJ, Bates FS, Dettloff M, Jacob G, Verghese N, Pham H. Toughening of epoxy using PEP-PEO block copolymer nanoparticles. SPE ANTEC 2009, Chicago, IL, 2009.

Liu J, Sue H-J, Thompson ZJ, Bates FS, Dettloff M, Jacob G. Nano-toughening of epoxy using self-assembled block copolymer micelles. Nanotech Conference & Expo 2009, Houston, TX, 2009.

Verghese NE, Dettloff M, Jacob G, Pham H, Liu J, H.‐J. Sue, Thompson ZJ, Bates FS. Toughening of epoxy thermosets using nano‐scaled, self‐assembled amphiphilic block copolymers: A look into the toughening mechanism. 14th International Conference on Deformation, Yield and Fracture of Polymers (DYFP 2009), Rolduc, Kerkrade, The Netherlands, 2009.

Liu J, Sue H-J, Thompson ZJ, Bates FS, Dettloff M, Jacob G, Verghese N, Pham H. Nanosized micellar structures of self-assembled amphiphilic block copolymers and their toughening effects in epoxy matrices. 236th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, Philadelphia, PA, 2008.

Liu J, Sue H-J, Thompson ZJ, Bates FS, Dettloff M, Jacob G, Verghese N, Pham H. Nano-cavitation in self-assembled amphiphilic block copolymer-modified epoxy. 2008 MRS Spring Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 2008.

Gomes C, Chimbombi E, Barros F, Castell-Perez E, Sun D, Liu J, Sue H-J, Meyer C, Dunne P. Oxygen-absorbing packaging material to prolong shelf-life of oxygen-sensitive meal-ready-to-eat rations. ITF, New Orleans, LA, 2008.

Liu J, Weon J-I, Sue H-J. Impact fracture behavior of PP/EPR blends. SPE ANTEC 2007, Cincinnati, OH, 2007.

Liu J, Boo WJ, Clearfield A, Sue H-J. synthetic nanoplatelet reinforced polymer nanocomposites. Nano Summit 2007, College Station, TX, 2007.

Liu J, Weon J-I, Sue H-J. Fracture behavior of polypropylene/EPR blends. International Polyolefins Conference 2007, Houston, TX, 2007.

Warren G, Sun L, Liu J, Chu CC, Sue H-J. Processing and characterization of b-staged epoxy/SWNT nanocomposite thin films. 44th Annual Technical Meeting, Society of Engineering Science (SES 2007 Conference), College Station, TX, 2007.

Liu J, Boo WJ, Sue H-J. Double-notch four-point bending technique for toughening mechanism studies on polyolefins. International Polyolefins Conference 2006, Houston, TX, 2006.

Boo WJ, Sun L, Liu J, Clearfield A, Sue H-J. Influence of nanofiller structure on gas permeability and mechanical properties of epoxy/α-zirconium phosphate nanocomposites. SPE ANTEC 2006, Charlotte, NC, 2006.

Weon J, Wei G, Liu J, Sue H-J. fundamental understanding of impact fracture behavior of TPOs. SPE Automotive Global TPO Conference, Sterling Heights, MI, 2006.

Liu J, Wu JS. A comprehensive study on intercalation and exfoliation of epoxy/clay nanocomposites. Asian-Australian Conference on Composite materials (ACCM-4), Sydney, Australia, 2004.

Wu JS, Wang K, Liu J, Chen L, He CB. Producing polymer nanocomposites with exfoliated pristine clay. SPE ANTEC 2004, Chicago, IL, 2004.

Liu J, Wu JS. A comprehensive study on intercalation and exfoliation of epoxy/clay nanocomposites: the influence of processing condition, curing temperature, clay modification and curing agent. 2nd International Conference on Materials for Advanced Technologies (ICMAC) & IUMRS-International Conference in Asia, Singapore, 2003.

Liu J, Ming M, Huang L, Liu J, Chen YT, Ding JD. Fundamental study of bacteriorhodopsin and relevant functional materials. 9th National Biophysics Conference, Dalian, China, 2002.

Liu J, Huang L, Ming M, Liu J, Ding JD. Potential optical material containing bacteriorhodopsin self-assembly of this membrane protein. Sino-German Young Scientist Forum on Macromolecular Science, Beijing, China, 2002.

Ming M, Liu J, Huang L, Chen YT, Liu J, Ding JD. Preparation of a protein (bacteriorhodopsin)/polymer film and associated fundamental research. IUPAC World Polymer Congress 2002 (MACRO 2002), Beijing, China, 2002.

• Research Assistant, Polymer Technology Center (PTC) and Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), Texas A&M University, 2004–2009
• Research Assistant, Materials Research Group and Electronic Packaging Laboratory (EPACK), Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2002–2004
• Research Assistant, Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai, 2000–2002
  

• American Chemical Society—ACS
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers—ASME
• International Microelectronics and Packaging Society—IMAPS
• Materials Research Society—MRS
• Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
• Society of Plastics Engineers—SPE
  — President, Society of Plastics Engineers Texas A&M Chapter, 2005–2006