Xin Zhang

Scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory - PNNL

Richland, Washington, United States

About

• 20 years of research experiences in the interface of geochemistry, chemical engineering, AI/ML, critical minerals, and materials science • Knowledge based in material design, synthesis and characterization, critical mineral and martials recycling, rare earth separation, energy storage, AI/ML, nanomanufacturing, AFM, crystal growth, design of experiments and statistical analysis, thermodynamics and kinetic analysis • Experience in designing and executing experiments, technical writing, and maintaining multiple instruments • Authored in 4 books, 3 book chapters, 180 peer-reviewed journal papers, 50 conference papers, and 12 patents

Experience

  • Scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory - PNNL
    Dec 2018 - Present · 7 yrs 8 mos

    Material synthesis and characterizations, critical minerals, AI/ML, rare earth recovery and separation, surface science, and crystal growth.

  • Postdoctoral Associate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
    Dec 2014 - Nov 2018 · 4 yrs

    Scanning probe microscopy, Dynamic force spectroscopy, Electron microscope, and Crystal growth.

  • Texas Tech University (4 yrs 5 mos)
    • Teaching Assistant
      Jan 2011 - Dec 2014 · 4 yrs

      • Served as teaching assistant of a course ChE 2421, Ch E Thermodynamics I, in Spring 2014 • Served as teaching assistant of a course ChE 4372, Engineering Experimentation, in Fall 2012

    • Research Assistant
      Aug 2010 - Dec 2014 · 4 yrs 5 mos

      • Working for 7 projects sponsored by NSF-CAREER, ONR and ALERT  Developing novel techniques for patterning organic thin films  Manipulating the crystal growth of organic materials  Investigating the crystal growth kinetics of organic materials and surface-surface interaction forces between two materials using AFM  Developing novel techniques to prepare nanostructured polymer films  Synthesizing graphene nanocomposites for catalysis and energy storage  Designing and fabricating novel microdevices for transdermal drug delivery  Optimizing microfabrication technologies by using design of experiments and statistical analysis (MATLAB and MINITAB) • Training graduate and undergraduate students (totally 17) to use AFM, SEM, TGA, DSC, and PVD • Supporting AFM, SEM, TGA, DSC, and PVD characterization and/or operation for other groups • Built 3 experimental devices to exam and collect data • Built strong collaboration with 5 research groups on multiple projects in TTU, Eastern New Mexico University and Lamar University • Given 5 presentations in national or international conferences

  • Visting Scholar at University of Alabama at Birmingham
    Mar 2009 - Jul 2010 · 1 yr 5 mos

    • Working for 3 projects sponsored by NSF  Developed a novel methodology to synthesize C7-substituted fluoroquinolone derivatives  Designed and synthesized a series of polysaccharide molecules  Designed and synthesized novel photolabile protecting groups (PPGs) • Training graduate and undergraduate students (totally 5) to do organic synthesis and NMR measurement

  • Shanxi University (4 yrs 7 mos)
    • Research Assistant
      Aug 2004 - Feb 2009 · 4 yrs 7 mos

      • Working for 4 projects about organic synthesis, catalysis and industrial waste treatment  Designed and synthesized novel conjugated organic small molecular compounds and polymers containing triphenylamine, fluorene, carbazole or thiophene units for organic solar cells, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), and organic field-effect transistors (OFETs)  Fabricated OLED and solar cell devices  Developed novel methodologies to oxidize 9H-fluorenes to 9-fluorenones  Developed green and highly efficient methods to separate and recover high value-added conjugated romatic compounds from benzoic acid industrial waste • Training graduate and undergraduate students (totally 26) to do organic synthesis, FTIR, NMR, and FL measurements, and OLED and solar cell device fabrication • Built strong collaboration with 2 research groups on multiple projects in Shanxi University • Given 1 presentations in international conferences

    • Teaching Assistant
      Jan 2006 - Dec 2008 · 3 yrs

      • Served as teaching assistant of a course, Organic Chemistry II, in Spring semester and a course, Organic Synthesis, in Fall semester every year.