Kent Zheng

Research Website

Educational Qualifications

Postdoc, Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2021-2023)
Ph.D., Materials Science & Engineering, Cornell University (2020)
B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and History, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (2017)

Focus

Understanding and controlling electrochemical synthesis of crystalline materials for energy & sustainability.

Research

The wide use of electricity is a defining characteristic of modern life. It is further argued that “electrification of everything” is key to energy security and sustainability. Transition to electrification requires innovative design and realization of next-generation systems for generation, transmission, and storage of electricity.

At the bottom of this picture, materials—whose properties are determined by structures at multiple length scales ranging from Angstrom (0.1 nm) to millimeter or even larger—establish the fundamental infrastructure that enables engineering at higher levels. Such higher-level engineering—e.g., system integration and optimization—is in turn constrained by the properties and performance of materials. Through trailblazing experimental effort under computational guidance, the group aims to accelerate the realization of next-generation materials that underpin “electrification of everything”.

The group’s current research encompasses various areas, including next-generation batteries, atomically-precise additive manufacturing, exotic quantum phases, and the fundamental electrochemistry that facilitates their realization. 

We also acknowledge effective communication of scientific discoveries with the public through outreach as an indispensable element for achieving sustainability for humanity as whole. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you are interested in our efforts.

PUBLICATIONS

Awards & Honors

• Forbes 30 Under 30 in Science, 2025
• ACS National Chemistry Olympiad Coach (USNCO), 2025
• Associate editor, ECS Advances, 2024-present
• Early Career Travel Grant for the 242nd ECS Meeting, 2022
• Neware Research Excellence Award, 2021
• ECS Electrodeposition Division Early Career Investigator Award, 2021
• Finalists/Alternate for Pappalardo Fellowship in Physics, 2020
• Top Prize in National Competition of Science Innovations (the Challenge Cup), 2017
• SJTU Person of the Year Award, 2016
• Chun-Tsung Fellowship, 2015-2017
• Silver Medal in Chinese National Chemistry Olympiad, 2012

Affiliations

• Core Faculty, Texas Materials Institute