Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Chemistry, University of Southern California, 2014
  • M.S., Catalysis and Molecular Chemistry, University of Rennes 1, France, 2008
  • B.S., Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, China, 2006
Additional Education & Training
  • Molecular Modeling: Schrödinger 2013 Materials Science Suite, Gaussian 03/09, SpartanModel
  • Software packages: MS Office, OriginLab, ChemBioDraw, Chemcraft, Mercury, Diamond (Crystal and Molecular Structure Visualization), SHLEX, AutoCAD, 3DS MAX
  • Diamonds and Diamond Grading Certification (GIA)
Professional Honors
  • The University of Southern California Fellowship, 2008-2014
  • Department of Chemistry Fellowship, University of Southern California, 2010-2014
Professional Affiliations
  • American Chemical Society—ACS
  • Materials Research Society—MRS

Dr. Yifei Liu's primary area of expertise is in organic/organometallic chemistry, with an emphasis on the chemical analysis and characterization of polymeric materials. She has over five years of experience in polymer failure analysis and a special focus on solving complex issues regarding their application to sophisticated consumer electronics products such as adhesives, thermoplastics and composite materials.

Dr. Liu also specializes in design/synthesis and device fabrication of organic light emitting devices (OLEDs), as well as materials chemistry of information storage systems, specifically molecular wires and switches. She has experience with synthesis of fluorescent and phosphorescent materials as well as extensive knowledge of the factors that influence OLED performance, ranging from molecular-level interactions to final commercial product operations.

In addition, Dr. Liu actively assists clients in the biomedical space, including support for CFDA approvals and biomedical regulatory compliance; she is a certified ISO 13485:2016 lead auditor with years of factory audit experience.

Dr. Liu's material characterization skills cover a wide variety of surface and bulk material characterization techniques including mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS, GC-MS, MALDI-TOF), X-ray crystallographic analysis (single crystal diffraction, powder diffraction), spectrofluorimetry, fluorescence and phosphorescence lifetime measurement, quantum yield and efficiency measurement, spectroscopic ellipsometry, liquid nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), electrochemistry (CV, DPV, bulk electrolysis), spectroelectrochemistry (UV-Vis-NIR characterization), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron transmission spectrometry (TEM), focused ion beam (FIB), rheology, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA).

Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Liu's Ph.D. research utilized a synthesis-intensive background encompassing organic synthesis (inert atmosphere, Schlenk techniques), organometallic synthesis (Ru, Os, and Ir chemistry, Al, and Zn chemistry), and nonmetallic inorganic material synthesis (porcelain enamel coatings). She also has hands-on experience using high vacuum zone sublimation, high vacuum deposition, organic vapor phase deposition of organics and metals, and solution processes to fabricate devices.