When a wet sheet of paper rolls over the top of the cylinder, the polymer coating absorbs the water. Then, the dried polymer coating is ready to dry additional sheets of paper, for a continuous cycle. The technology also could be applied to other manufacturing processes that remove water from materials, including food products and textiles. Cui began research on technology to reduce energy use in manufacturing as a doctoral student at the University of California, San Diego. In addition to the method to dry paper during manufacturing, Cui is investigating the use of hydrogels to help control building temperatures more efficiently.