Zhao, Ji-Cheng 'JC' | Department Of Materials Science And ...

BRIEF BIO

Dr. JC Zhao is the Department Chair of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) and Clark Distinguished Chair Professor at the University of Maryland – College Park (UMD). Before joining UMD in July 2019, Zhao was a professor at the MSE Department of the Ohio State University (OSU) for about ten years (1/2008 to 6/2019). He took a leave from OSU from 2014 to 2017 to serve as a Program Director at the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) of the U.S. Department of Energy where he launched and managed a wide range of projects totaling about $100M to develop technologies aimed at increasing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Prior to joining OSU, he was a materials scientist at GE Research Center in Schenectady, New York, for 12 years (1995 to 2007). Zhao’s research focuses are on design of advanced alloys and coatings, additive manufacturing (3D printing) of alloys and composites, high-throughput materials science methodologies, determination of phase diagrams and other materials properties, computational thermodynamics and kinetics, and also hydrogen/energy storage materials. In addition to many materials innovations, he pioneered the development of a diffusion-multiple approach and co-developed several materials property microscopy tools for accelerated materials discovery and development. Zhao was the recipient of the 2021 William Hume-Rothery Award which “is presented annually to recognize a scientific leader for exceptional scholarly contributions to the science of alloys” by the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS). A three-day symposium was held in his honor during the 150th TMS Annual Meeting in March 2021. He also received the 2023 J. Willard Gibbs Phase Equilibria Award from ASM International with a day-long symposium in his honor. Zhao is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), ASM, the Materials Research Society (MRS), the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), and TMS. He served on the Subcommittee on the Materials Genome Initiative (MGI) of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) from 2014 to 2017, and on the Board of Trustees of ASM International from 2019 to 2022. Zhao was inducted to the National Academy of Engineering in 2023. 

Zhao is an inventor with 49 issued US patents covering a wide range of materials, processes, and systems. He was the 2001 winner of the prestigious Albert W. Hull Award from GE Research with a citation “for his leadership skills in advancing innovative, state-of-the-art development methodologies that aim to decrease cycle time for materials discovery while increasing robustness of the work. He also was recognized for his expertise and leadership regarding the critical nature of coatings and high temperature materials, and for his enormous energy and perseverance in solving real business challenges.” 

Zhao brings rich experience in engineering, innovation, education and leadership from industry (12 years at GE), government (4 years at ARPA-E), and academia (both at UMD and OSU).

EDUCATION

• Ph.D. (1995) in Materials Science and Engineering, Lehigh University
• M.S. (1988) and B.S. (1985) in Materials Science and Engineering (Physical Metallurgy), Central South University

HONORS & AWARDS

• Member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering (NAE, Class of 2023). Citation: For contributions to computational alloy design, integrated computational materials engineering, and high-throughput methods leading to impactful industrial products. [https://mse.umd.edu/news/story/jc-zhao-elected-to-national-academy-of-engineering-nae]
• Clark Distinguished Chair Professor [https://eng.umd.edu/news/story/clark-school-names-zhao-chopra-as-clark-distinguished-chairs]
• Fellow of TMS (The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society), Class of 2023. Citation: For contributions to high-throughput research and diffusion studies in metals and early implementation of computational alloy design in turbine industry leading to high-impact alloy deployment. [https://mse.umd.edu/news/story/jc-zhao-named-tms-fellow] 
• 2023 J. Willard Gibbs Phase Equilibria Award from ASM International. Citation: For developing highly efficient methods that employ combinatorial principles, and successfully applying them to the determination of phase diagrams, diffusion coefficients, and physical properties in alloy systems. [https://mse.umd.edu/news/story/jc-zhao-receives-j-willard-gibbs-phase-equilibria-award]
• Fellow of AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science), Class of 2022 [https://eng.umd.edu/news/story/maryland-engineers-graham-nau-zhao-elected-fellows-of-aaas].
• Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), Class of 2022 [https://today.umd.edu/maryland-engineers-named-to-national-academy-of-inventors]. 
• Humboldt Research Award from Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Stiftung), 2022 [https://www.mpie.de/4775573/ji-cheng-zhao-humboldt-award].
• 2021 William Hume-Rothery Award from TMS – “This award is presented annually to recognize a scientific leader for exceptional scholarly contributions to the science of alloys.”  A 3-day symposium was held on March 15-17, 2021 in his honor at the 150th TMS Annual Meeting. Citation: For development of groundbreaking methodologies for systematic measurements of phase-based properties for the understanding of a very large number of alloy systems [https://mse.umd.edu/news/story/mse-chair-jc-zhao-receives-prestigious-william-humerothery-award].
• Fellow of MRS, 2019. Citation: For pioneering research on high-throughput measurement in the field of structural materials through the invention and application of the diffusion-multiple approach and co-invention of ultrafast laser materials–property microscopy tools.
• The invention of ultrafast laser materials property microscopy by the Zhao-Cahill team was recognized as one of the eight finalists for the 2018 Berthold Leibinger Innovationspreis, the highest remunerated international prizes dedicated to laser technology innovations. [https://optics.org/news/9/7/37]
• Member of the Subcommittee on the Materials Genome Initiative of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) (2014 to 2017).
• Lumley Interdisciplinary Research Award (with Prof. Sheldon Shore), College of Engineering, The Ohio State University, April, 2013.
• Selected by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) as one of thirty outstanding young engineers from U.S. with thirty outstanding engineers from China to participate at the 1st China-America Frontiers of Engineering Symposium at Beijing and Changsha, October 17-21, 2009.
• Selected by NAE as one of eighty-two brightest young engineers to attend the NAE 2008 Frontiers of Engineering Symposium, 2008. [https://www.naefrontiers.org/16987/Creative-Young-Engineers-Selected-to-Participate-in-NAEs-2008-Frontiers-of-Engineering-Symposium-]
• Fellow of ASM International, 2003. Citation: For development of a new combinatorial approach enabling rapid determination of composition-structure-property relationships in high-temperature structural alloys.
• Albert W. Hull Award (the highest individual achievement award at GE Research Center for a young scientist – one or two per year for the entire Research Center across all disciplines), 2001. Citation: For his leadership skills in advancing innovative, state-of-the-art development methodologies that aim to decrease cycle time for materials discovery while increasing robustness of the work. He also was recognized for his expertise and leadership regarding the critical nature of coatings and high temperature materials, and for his enormous energy and perseverance in solving real business challenges.
• Alfred H. Geisler Memorial Award from ASM International (Eastern New York Chapter, https://www.asminternational.org/web/eastern-new-york-chapter/member-recognition), 2001 [Winners include two former university presidents and 9 NAE members].

U.S. PATENTS

1.  J.-C. Zhao, “Method and Process of Producing Ammonia from Methane Hydrate”, US Patent 11,072,536: July 27, 2021.  
2.  G.L. Soloveichik, J. P. Lemmon, and J.-C. Zhao, “Primary Aluminum Hydride Battery”, US Patent 8,304,121: November 6, 2012.
3.  M.R. Jackson, B.P. Bewlay, J.S. Marte, P.R. Subramanian, J.-C. Zhao, and A.M. Ritter, “High-Temperature Composite Articles and Associated Methods of Manufacture”, US Patent 8,153,052: April 10, 2012. 
4.  G.L. Soloveichik and J.-C. Zhao, “Methods for Preparing Compositions which Comprise Magnesium Borohydride, and Related Materials”, US Patent 7,906,092: March 15, 2011.
5.  G.L. Soloveichik and J.-C. Zhao, “Hydrogen Storage Material and Related System”, US Patent 7,901,491: March 8, 2011. 
6.  J.-C. Zhao and J.P. Lemmon, “Material for Storage and Production of Hydrogen, and Related Methods and Apparatus”, US Patent 7,833,473: November 16, 2010.
7.  M.R. Jackosn, L. Jiang, J.-C. Zhao, and C.U. Hardwicke, “Method for Repairing High Temperature Articles”, US Patent 7,722,729: May 25, 2010.
8.  L. Jiang, L.B. Kool, M.R. Jackson, C.U. Hardwicke, J.-C. Zhao, A.M. Ritter, C.-P. Lee, “Methods and Devices for Evaluating the Thermal Exposure of a Metal Article”, US Patent 7,654,734: February 2, 2010.
9.  J.-C. Zhao, M.R. Jackson, and B.P. Bewlay, “Oxidation Resistant Coatings for Molybdenum Silicide-Based Composite Articles”, US Patent 7,622,150: November 24, 2009.
10.  M.R. Jackson, L. Jiang, J.-C. Zhao, and C.U. Hardwicke, “High Temperature Alloys, and Articles Made and Repaired Therewith”, US Patent 7,494,619: February 24, 2009.
11.  J.P. Lemmon, J.-C. Zhao, T.M. Jordan, V.S. Smentkowski, “Methods for Synthesis and Evaluation of Hydrogen Storage Compositions”, US Patent 7,445,937: November 4, 2008.
12.  J.-C. Zhao and M.R. Jackson, “Combinatorial Production of Material Compositions from a Single Sample”, US Patent 7,392,927: July 1, 2008.
13.  G.L. Soloveichik and J.-C. Zhao, “Method for Manufacturing Magnesium Borohydride”, US Patent 7,381,390: June 3, 2008.
14.  M.R. Jackson, P.R. Subramanian, J.-C. Zhao, and B.P. Bewlay, R. Darolia, and R.E. Schafrik, “Turbine Blade for Extreme Temperature Conditions”, US Patent 7,189,459: March 13, 2006. 
15.  J.-C. Zhao and J.P. Lemmon, “Hydrogen Storage Compositions and Methods of Manufacture Thereof”, US Patent 7,115,247: October 3, 2006. 
16.  J.-C. Zhao and J.P. Lemmon, “Hydrogen Storage Compositions and Methods of Manufacture Thereof”, US Patent 7,115,246: October 3, 2006.
17.  J.-C. Zhao and J.P. Lemmon, “Hydrogen Storage Compositions and Methods of Manufacture Thereof”, US Patent 7,115,245: October 3, 2006.
18.  J.-C. Zhao and J.P. Lemmon, “Hydrogen Storage Compositions and Methods of Manufacture Thereof”, US Patent 7,115,244: October 3, 2006.
19.  R. Darolia, M. Gorman, M.R. Jackson, and J.-C. Zhao, “Protective Coating for Turbine Engine Component”, US Patent 6,974,636: December 13, 2005. 
20.  J.-C. Zhao and D.M. Lipkin, “High-Temperature Articles and Method for Making”, US Patent 6,964,791: November 15, 2005. 
21.  J.-C. Zhao, J.A. Pfaendtner, C. Govern, and M.R. Jackson, “Ni-base Superalloy Having a Coating System Containing a Diffusion Barrier Layer”, US Patent 6,921,586: July 26, 2005.
22.  M.R. Jackson, B.P. Bewlay, and J.-C. Zhao, “Niobium-Silicide Based Composites Resistant to High Temperature Oxidation”, US Patent 6,913,655: July 5, 2005.
23.  J.-C. Zhao and M.R. Jackson, “Article for High Temperature Service and Method for Manufacture”, US Patent 6,861,157: March 1, 2005.
24.  B.P. Bewlay, M.R. Jackson and J.-C. Zhao, “Coatings, Method of Manufacture, and the Articles Derived Therefrom” US Patent 6,767,653: July 27, 2004.
25.  J.-C. Zhao and D.M. Lipkin, “High-Temperature Articles and Method for Making”, US Patent 6,746,783: June 8, 2004.
26.  J.-C. Zhao and M.R. Jackson, “Diffusion Barrier Coatings, and Related Articles and Processes”, US Patent 6,746,782: June 8, 2004.
27. J.-C. Zhao, L. Jiang, M.R. Jackson, R. Darolia, and R.E. Schafrik, “Hybrid High Temperature Articles and Method of Making”, US Patent 6,726,444: April 27, 2004.
28. J.-C. Zhao, M.R. Jackson, R.J. Grylls, and R. Darolia, “Materials for Protection of Substrates at High Temperature, Articles Made Therefrom, and Method for Protecting Substrates," US Patent 6,720,088: April 13, 2004.
29.  J.-C. Zhao, M.R. Jackson, and B.P. Bewlay, “Oxidation Resistant Coatings for Niobium-Based Silicide Composites," US Patent 6,645,560: November 11, 2003.
30.  J.-C. Zhao, J.A. Ruud, J.J. Tiemann, J.E. Tkaczyk, A.M. Ritter, and M.R. Jackson, “Smart Coating System With Chemical Taggants for Coating Condition Assessment”, US Patent 6,644,917: November 11, 2003.
31.  C.-P. Lee, M.R. Jackson, S. Ferrigno, and J.-C. Zhao, “Foil Formed Cooling Area Enhancement”, US Patent 6,640,546: November 4, 2003.
32.  J.-C. Zhao, M.R. Jackson, and B.P. Bewlay, “Bonded Niobium Silicide and Molybdenum Silicide Composite Articles Using Brazes”, US Patent 6,607,847: August 19, 2003.
33.  M.R. Jackson, B.P. Bewlay, and J.-C. Zhao, “Bonded Niobium Silicide and Molybdenum Silicide Composite Articles Using Semi-Solid Brazes”, US Patent 6,586,118: July 1, 2003. 
34.  M.R. Jackson, C.U. Hardwicke, J.-C. Zhao, and C. Mukira, “High-Temperature Alloy and Articles Made Therefrom," US Patent 6,582,534: June 24, 2003. 
35.  B.P. Bewlay, M.R. Jackson, and J.-C. Zhao, “Bonded Niobium Silicide and Molybdenum Silicide Composite Articles and Method of Manufacture”, US Patent 6,565,990: May 20, 2003. 
36.  J.-C. Zhao, M.R. Jackson, and B.P. Bewlay, “Bonded Niobium Silicide and Molybdenum Silicide Composite Articles Using Germanium and Silicon Based Brazes”, US Patent 6,565,989: May 20, 2003.
37.  M.R. Jackson, C.U. Hardwicke, J.-C. Zhao, and C. Mukira, “High-Temperature Alloy and Articles Made Therefrom," US Patent 6,554,920: April 29, 2003.
38.  J.-C. Zhao, M.R. Jackson, and B.P. Bewlay, “Oxidation Resistant Coatings for Niobium-Based Silicide Composites”, US Patent 6,521,356: February 18, 2003.
39.  J.-C. Zhao, B.P. Bewlay, and M.R. Jackson, “Oxidation Resistant Coatings for Molybdenum Silicide-Based Composite Articles”, US Patent 6,497,968: December 24, 2002. 
40.  J.-C. Zhao, M.R. Jackson, and R. Darolia, “Oxidation-Resistant Coatings, and Related Articles and Processes”, US Patent 6,475,642: November 5, 2002. 
41.  M.R. Jackson, B.P. Bewlay, J.-C. Zhao, and R.R. Corderman, “Nb-Based Silicide Composite Compositions”, US Patent 6,428,910: August 6, 2002. 
42.  M.R. Jackson, B.P. Bewlay, and J.-C. Zhao, “Niobium-Silicide Based Composites Resistant to Low Temperature Pesting”, US Patent 6,419,765: July 16, 2002.
43.  J.-C. Zhao and Y.C. Lau, “Protective Coatings for Turbine Combustion Components”, US Patent 6,393,828: May 28, 2002.
44.  J.-C. Zhao, P.L. Dupree, M.R. Jackson, and J.R. Dobbs, “Method of Forming Hollow Channels within a Component”, US Patent 6,321,499: November 27, 2001.
45.  I.T. Spitsberg, R. Darolia, M.R. Jackson, J.-C. Zhao, and J.C. Schaeffer “Diffusion Barrier Layer”, US Patent 6,306,524: October 23, 2001.
46.  M.R. Jackson, A.M. Ritter, M.F.X. Gigliotti, and J.-C. Zhao, “Continuously-Graded Bond Coat and Method of Manufacture”, US Patent 6,287,644: September 11, 2001.
47.  M.F.X. Gigliotti, S.-C. Huang, R.J. Petterson, and J.-C. Zhao, “Liquid Metal Cooled Directional Solidification Process”, US Patent 6,276,433: August 21, 2001.
48.  S.-C. Huang, P.H. Monaghan, J.-C. Zhao, and M.F.X. Gigliotti, “Unidirectionally Solidified Cast Article and Method of Making”, US Patent 6,217,286: April 17, 2001.
49. J.-C. Zhao and M.R. Jackson, “Nickel-Base Sigma-Gamma In-situ Intermetallic Matrix Composites”, US Patent 5,858,558: January 12, 1999.