Wanting Zhu | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award | 13543

Prof. Wanting Zhu | Materials Science | Best Researcher Award 

Prof. Wanting Zhu, Wuhan University of Technology (WUT), China

Prof. Wanting Zhu is a distinguished Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the Wuhan University of Technology (WUT), where she conducts advanced research at the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing. Her expertise lies in thermoelectric materials and device engineering, with a particular focus on artificially tilted-structure transverse thermoelectric devices. She has pioneered high-throughput screening methods and established key design principles for these systems across various application scenarios. With over ten SCI-indexed publications, including recent works in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces and Journal of Power Sources, Prof. Zhu is a recognized leader in optimizing thermoelectric performance and device stability.

Author Profile

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Education

Prof. Wanting Zhu’s academic journey in materials science began with a strong inclination towards fundamental research and practical engineering applications. From the outset of her education, she demonstrated a profound interest in energy materials, particularly those that contribute to sustainable and efficient thermal-to-electric energy conversion. Her early academic training equipped her with a solid foundation in thermodynamics, solid-state physics, and electronic materials, laying the groundwork for what would become a career at the intersection of cutting-edge materials research and real-world technological applications. Her curiosity and drive for innovation during her formative academic years eventually led her to explore thermoelectric materials—an area both scientifically rich and highly relevant to global energy challenges.

Experience

Currently serving as a Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the Wuhan University of Technology (WUT), Prof. Zhu is affiliated with the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing. In this role, she actively leads high-impact research focused on the design, fabrication, and optimization of thermoelectric devices, especially those with artificially tilted multilayer structures. She has emerged as a leading figure in her field, bridging theoretical insight and experimental prowess.

Her lab not only conducts fundamental research but also engages in the development of functional materials for real-world applications in electronics, energy harvesting, and thermal management systems. Prof. Zhu also plays a vital role in mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, fostering a collaborative and innovation-driven research environment. Her commitment to scientific advancement is evident in her hands-on leadership, guiding both applied research and long-term academic training.

Research Focus

She has made pioneering contributions in developing artificially tilted multilayer thermoelectric systems, which exhibit transverse thermoelectric effects. Her research elucidates both the structural design principles and manufacturing techniques necessary for tailoring these devices to specific energy and thermal environments. Prof. Zhu developed an innovative high-throughput screening method for optimizing the performance of thermoelectric devices, significantly accelerating materials discovery and device fabrication. This method enables rapid identification of effective material combinations and geometric configurations, increasing the efficiency of research and reducing production costs. She has also extended her research into materials with broadband infrared radiation capabilities, such as spinel ferrites, for thermal regulation in electronics—demonstrating the versatility and interdisciplinary reach of her work.

Her publications, appearing in Journal of Power Sources, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, and Ceramics International, are a testament to her deep expertise and forward-thinking approach.

Award and Recognition

Prof. Zhu has authored more than 10 SCI-indexed publications as a first or corresponding author, and her research has been widely cited in the fields of thermoelectricity and materials engineering. Her scientific contributions have positioned her as a thought leader in thermoelectric device design in China and internationally.

Her work has gained attention not just for its academic rigor but also for its potential applications in next-generation wearable electronics, energy harvesters, and electronic cooling systems. She is frequently invited to collaborate and review for leading journals, reflecting her growing influence and professional standing in the global research community.

Publications

📘Enhancing electrical properties of flexible BiSbTe/epoxy composite films via liquid-phase extrusion – Journal of power resources(2024).

📘Optimizing Room‐Temperature Thermoelectric and Magnetocaloric Performance via Constructing Multi‐Scale Interfacial Phases in LaFeSi/BiSbTe Thermo‐Electro‐Magnetic Refrigeration Materials – Advanced functional materials(2024).

📘Excellent thermoelectric performance of Fe2NbAl alloy induced by strong crystal anharmonicity and high band degeneracy – Quantum Materials(2024).

 

 

 

 

 

Zong Lu | 2D Materials | Best Researcher Award | 13501

Dr. Zong Lu | 2D Materials | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Zong Lu, South China University of Technology, China

Dr. Zong Lu is a postdoctoral researcher at the South China University of Technology, renowned for his pioneering work on 2D material membranes. His research focuses on the structural modulation and scalable fabrication of advanced MXene-based membranes for selective ion separation, lithium-ion recovery, and hydrogen purification. With over 2,200 citations, his work is widely recognized in high-impact journals like Angewandte Chemie and ACS Nano. Dr. Lu has significantly advanced techniques such as self-crosslinking and asymmetric amplification, pushing the frontiers of membrane science and clean energy applications.

Author Profile

Scopus

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Zong Lu began his journey into the world of materials science with a strong academic foundation rooted in curiosity and a passion for innovation. From the outset of his education, he exhibited a keen interest in nanomaterials and separation technologies, particularly the fascinating behavior and properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials. His academic path was guided by a vision to engineer functional materials with high performance for real-world applications.

Throughout his undergraduate and graduate studies, Dr. Lu delved deeply into the synthesis, characterization, and application of novel materials, with a growing focus on membrane science. He was particularly drawn to MXenes—a family of 2D transition metal carbides and nitrides—which later became the centerpiece of his research career.

🧪 Professional Endeavors

Currently serving as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the South China University of Technology, Dr. Lu has firmly established himself in the international research community. He works under the guidance of experienced mentors and in collaboration with distinguished research teams to develop scalable membrane technologies for ion separation, energy purification, and environmental sustainability.

One of his professional goals has been the scalable and precise engineering of MXene-based composite membranes. In pursuit of this, he has developed several structural modulation techniques including self-crosslinking strategies, asymmetric amplification, and large-area electrodeposition. These efforts have enabled real-world applicability of 2D materials in industrial-scale separation technologies.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

Dr. Lu’s research revolves around 2D membrane materials, particularly MXene-based membranes used for selective ion rejection and energy-efficient separation. His innovations include:

  • Application of 2D Self-Crosslinked MXene Membranes for enhanced ion exclusion, especially monovalent ions like Li⁺ and Na⁺.

  • Asymmetric Membrane Strategies to achieve superior K⁺/Na⁺ selectivity, a crucial challenge in lithium resource recovery.

  • Scalable Electrodeposition Techniques for rapid and efficient production of large-area MXene membranes.

  • Composite Membrane Engineering using materials like ZIF-8 and Graphene Oxide for hydrogen purification and CO₂ separation.

With over 10 peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals such as Angewandte Chemie International Edition, ACS Nano, Chemical Engineering Journal, and AIChE Journal, his contributions have significantly advanced both the science and technology of membrane-based separations.

🏅 Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Lu’s growing influence in the scientific community is reflected by his Google Scholar citation index of 2,204, a testament to the relevance and quality of his research. He is a recipient of the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (76th batch, General Funding), which supports high-potential researchers in their early career development.

His work has gained traction not only in academic settings but also in industrial and environmental applications—where scalable, efficient separation techniques are critically needed. His collaboration with global experts like Prof. Haihui Wang and Yanying Wei has further solidified his reputation as a rising expert in membrane technologies.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Lu’s impact spans multiple interdisciplinary fields including nanotechnology, chemical engineering, environmental science, and energy purification. His research on lithium-ion and potassium-ion separation aligns with global demands for sustainable resource recovery, particularly important for the electric vehicle and battery industries.

Additionally, his work on hydrogen purification membranes contributes to the global push toward clean and renewable energy sources. His methods enable scalable and practical applications, moving fundamental research out of the lab and into industry. Through his publications, he has influenced peers and upcoming researchers, offering new strategies for dealing with swelling in 2D membranes and enhancing ion selectivity.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

As a young researcher, Dr. Zong Lu is poised to leave a lasting legacy in membrane science and nanotechnology. His innovative synthesis techniques, combined with his ability to scale laboratory discoveries for industrial application, position him as a leading figure in the next generation of materials scientists.

Looking forward, Dr. Lu aims to expand his research into multifunctional membrane systems for water purification, bio-separation, and energy storage. With his strong interdisciplinary background, mentorship potential, and relentless drive for innovation, he is well on his way to establishing a center of excellence in 2D membrane technologies.

He is also expected to contribute significantly to academic mentorship, international collaboration, and applied research through continued partnerships and grant projects.

✍️ Publication Top Notes


📘ZIF-8-MXene/Nylon composite membrane for high-efficiency hydrogen purification

Author: Mide Luo , Yali Zhao , Zong Lu , Yanying Wei

Journal: Membrane Science

Year: 2025


📘Solvent-mediated structural regulation of MXene membranes for H2 purification

Author: Changdie Cao, Yurun Dai, Zhihao Liu, Zong Lu, Mide Luo, Yanying Wei, Haihui Wang

Journal: Chemical Engineering Science

Year: 2025