Zhiping Lai

Dr. Zhiping Lai is a Full Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Co-Chair of the Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). He earned his B.E. and M.S. degrees from Tsinghua University and a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. After postdoctoral research at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, he joined Nanyang Technological University as an Assistant Professor before becoming a founding faculty member at KAUST in 2009.Prof. Lai’s research focuses on the design of high-performance membranes with precisely engineered microstructures to address complex gas and liquid separation challenges across both fundamental and industrial applications. Internationally recognized for pioneering work on zeolite and metal–organic framework (MOF) membranes, he has made major advances in separating xylene isomers, paraffin/olefins, and extracting lithium from low-grade brines. He founded Lithium Infinity, a KAUST startup, to drive innovation in sustainable energy and materials technologies.Prof. Lai held the SABIC Chair Professorship in 2013–2016. He is the recipient of 2020 AIChE Institute Award for Industrial Gases, the Gold Medal at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva, and the 2024 Chinese Association of Innovation Award.