The Wang group at the University of Minnesota (UMN) focuses on the basic science and engineering of energy transport in nanostructured materials and across nanoscale interfaces. We explore the mechanisms through which light (photons, electromagnetic waves), charge (movement of electrons), heat (vibration of crystalline lattices), and spin (angular momentum of electrons) are converted to useful forms of energy (e.g., electricity), and their applications (e.g., electronic cooling and data storage). To achieve this, we invent and implement state-of-the-art ultrafast measurement methods to reveal the rich physics of heat and spin transport, which enables us to better design and optimize materials with desirable functionalities.
Lab
Micro/Nanoscale Thermal Transport Laboratory — ME 55
ME Impact Areas
Energy Transition
Environment & Sustainability
Next-Gen Manufacturing
Education
Ph.D. 2011, Heat Transfer/Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
M.S. 2007, Thermal Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, China
B.S. 2004, Thermal Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, China
Professional Background
Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2020 - Present
Benjamin Mayhugh Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2014 - 2020
Graduate Faculty, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, 2020 - Present
Graduate Faculty, Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2016 - Present
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2012-2014
Scientific & Professional Societies
Scientific Council of the International Centre for Heat and Mass Transfer (ICHMT)
ASME HTD K9 Committee on Nanoscale Thermal Transport
International Thermoelectric Society
American Physical Society
Research Society
