报告题目

Dynamics-structure-properties relations to design functional molecular crystals

报告人

Luca Catalano  Associate Professor

报告人单位

University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy)

报告时间

2026年2月3日（星期二）10:00

报告地点

高新校区学科3号楼205会议室

主办单位

精准智能化学全国重点实验室

报告摘要

Functional properties of molecular crystals are often governed not only by static structure but also by collective lattice dynamics, including low-frequency vibrations, cooperative molecular motions, and soft phonon modes. Establishing clear dynamics-structure-properties relationships is therefore essential to move beyond empirical crystal engineering toward predictive material design. Recent advances in vibrational spectroscopy, in situ structural characterization, and multiscale molecular design enable direct access to these dynamic degrees of freedom and their rational modulation.

By integrating molecular and supramolecular engineering with external stimuli, such as temperature, pressure, and electric or electromagnetic fields, polymorphic energy landscapes can be reshaped on demand, reversible phase transitions can be programmed, and adaptive functionalities such as flexibility, self-healing, and tunable thermal and optoelectronic properties can be achieved. Representative examples illustrate how lattice dynamics can be elevated from a descriptive parameter to an active design variable, enabling the development of dynamic functional molecular crystals.

报告人简介

Luca Catalano is a tenured Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy), where he leads the DynaMoMat Laboratory, and Visiting Scientist at the University of Rochester (USA). He obtained his PhD in Industrial Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Milan (2017) and held postdoctoral and research positions at NYU Abu Dhabi (2017-2020), the University of Liverpool (2020-2021), Université Libre de Bruxelles (MSCA Fellow, 2021-2023), and the University of Rochester (2023).

His research focuses on lattice dynamics engineering in organic and hybrid crystals, linking molecular and supramolecular design to polymorphism, phase transitions, self-healing behavior, and functional properties for smart materials and optoelectronic applications. He has authored over 45 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals including JACS, Angewandte Chemie, Nature Nanotechnology, Nature Communications, Chem (Cell Press), CCS Chemistry, Advanced Materials, and Advanced Functional Materials, with more than 2600 citations and an h-index of 24.

He is Topic Editor for Crystal Growth & Design (ACS) and he has received several national and international awards, such as the Mario Nardelli Prize 2025 of the Italian Crystallographic Association for outstanding contributions to dynamic and polymorphic molecular crystals. Prof. Catalano has secured competitive national and international funding and has extensive experience in managing large-scale research and mobility programs.He is actively involved in international collaborations, research networking, and advanced training in crystal engineering and functional materials.