Welcome to the Z-Energy Group! We are passionate about the design, synthesis, and testing of novel materials for energy and propulsion applications. Our research involves fundamental studies of thermodynamics, materials, and chemistry. Our current research has three general directions. First, we continue to develop ultrafast flame-based methods to synthesize novel nanomaterials, especially metal oxides. Second, we are developing electrocatalysts and devices to split water into H2, O2, and H2O2. Finally, we are developing new metal/polymer composites as high-energy-density fuels for propulsion applications.
Data-driven approaches in materials research
Data-driven approaches have suggested novel ways in science and engineering research based on accumulated scientific data with advances in data science, machine learning algorithms, and computing power. Machine learning-assisted, data-driven approaches can provide a comprehensive way to investigate feature-property relationships in material systems with unknown governing equations. Our group uses data-driven approaches along with traditional mechanics-driven approaches in our research to answer scientific questions.