Dr. Sheng Dai is currently a corporate fellow and section head overseeing four research groups in the areas of separations and polymer chemistry at Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK).
His current research interests include ionic liquids, porous materials, and their applications for separation sciences and energy storage as well as catalysis by nanomaterials. He was named US DOE Distinguished Scientist Fellow for pioneering advances in development of functional materials in 2022. His research has led to the 2020 Max Bredig Award for Ionic Liquids and Molten Salts, the 2019 ACS Award in Separation Science and Technology, 2018 IMMA Award given by International Mesostructured Materials Association, Battelle Distinguished Inventor Award in 2016, and six R&D100 Awards. He is a Fellow of Material Research Society and Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.