R E R I

Doctor of Philosophy (Chemical Engineering)

Master of Science

Bachelor of Science

Development and application of theoretical methods based on classical and statistical thermodynamics for the quantitative representation of molecular interactions, microscopic structures, physicochemical properties, phase transitions, and interfacial phenomena of complex fluids including polymers and block copolymers, colloids, electrolytes and polyelectrolytes, and DNAs and proteins. Broad applications include the interpretation of natural phenomena and the design of useful products and processes in molecular cell biology, virology, pharmaceutics, material science, etc.

Development of advanced models and theories to provide guidance for hydrocarbon energy production, recovery processes, and environmental stewardship. The main interests focus on the steam or steam-additive injection in light and heavy oil reservoirs, three-phase reservoir simulations, CO2 sequestration in saline aquifers, mechanism of asphaltene precipitation and stabilization, and kinetics of hydrate deposition, deposition inhibition and anti-agglomeration.

Reservoir Engineering Research Institute, Palo Alto

CA (2007-present)
Research Analyst

University of California-Riverside, Riverside, CA

(January 2003 - November 2007)
Graduate Student Researcher

Li, Z., and Firoozabadi, A.: "Cubic-Plus-Association Equation of State for Asphaltene Precipitation in Live Oils," Energy Fuels (2010) 24, 2956–2963.

Li, Z., and Firoozabadi, A.: "Modeling Asphaltene Precipitation by n-Alkanes from Heavy oOils and Bitumens Using Cubic-plus-Association Equation of State," Energy Fuels (2010) 24, 1106-1113.

Li, Z. and Firoozabadi, A.: "Interfacial Tension of Non-Associating Pure Substances and Binary Mixtures by Density Functional Theory Combined with Peng-Robinson Equation of State," J Chem Phys (2009) 130, 154108.

Li, Z. and Firoozabadi, A.: "Cubic-Plus-Association (CPA) Equation of State for Water-Containing Mixtures: Is 'Cross Association' Necessary?" AIChE J (July, 2009) 55 (7), 1803-1813.

Li, Z., Wu, J. and Wang, Z.-G.: "Osmotic Pressure and Packaging Structure of Caged DNA," Biophys J (2008) 94, 737-746.

Li, Z. and Wu, J.: "Towards a Quantitative Theory of Ultra-Small Liuid Droplets and Vapor-Liquid Nucleation," Ind Eng Chem Res (2008) 47, 4988-4995.

Li, Z. and Wu, J.: "Potential Distribution Theorem for the Polymer-Induced Depletion between Colloidal Particles," J Chem Phys (2007) 126, 144904. Also featured by Virtual Journal of Biological Physics Research, (2007) 13 (8).

Jiang, T., Li, Z. and Wu, J.: "Structure and Swelling of Grafted Polyelectrolytes: Predictions from a Non-Local Density Functional Theory," Macromolecules (2007) 40, 334-343.

Wu, J. and Li, Z.: "Density-Functional Theory of Complex Fluids," Annu Rev Phys Chem (2007) 58, 85-12.

Li, Z. and Wu, J.: "Density-Functional Theory for Planar Electric Double Layers: Closing the Gap between Simple and Polyelectrolytes," J Phys Chem B (2006) 110, 7473-7484.

Li, Z. and Wu, J.: "Density-Functional Theory for Polyelectrolytes near Oppositely Charged Surfaces," Phys Rev Lett (2006) 96, 048302.

Li, Z., Cao, D. and Wu, J.: "Layering, Condensation, and Evaporation of Short Chains in Narrow Slit Pores," J Chem Phys (2005) 122, 224701.

Li, Z., Cao, D. and Wu, J.: "Density-Functional Theory and Monte Carlo Simulation for the Surface Structure and Correlation Functions of Freely Jointed Lennard-Jones Polymeric Fluids," J Chem Phys (2005) 122, 174708.

Li, Z. and Wu, J.: "Modeling the Electrostatics and Size Effect within a Crowded Bioenvironment," Macromol Symp (2005) 219, 51-57.

Li, Z. and Wu, J.: "Density-Functional Theory for the Structures and Thermodynamic Properties of Highly Asymmetric Electrolyte and Neutral Component Mixtures," Phys Rev E (2004) 70, 031109.

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