Faculty Directory

Hu, Liangbing

Hu, Liangbing

Distinguished University Professor
Director, Center for Materials Innovation
R&D 100 Award (2022, 2021, 2020, 2018)
Fellow of MRS (Class of 2022)
Materials Science and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Maryland Energy Innovation Institute
2330C Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building

BRIEF BIO

Liangbing Hu received his B.S. in physics from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in 2002, where he worked on colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) materials for three years. He did his Ph.D. (2002-2007) at University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), focusing on carbon-nanotube-based nanoelectronics. In 2006, he co-founded Unidym Inc. and led the development of roll-to-roll printed carbon nanotube films and device integration in touch screens, LCDs, flexible OLDEs, and solar cells. He did his postdoc at Stanford University from 2009 to 2011, where he worked on various energy storage technologies using nanomaterials. Currently, he is a Distinguished University Professor at University of Maryland, College Park. His research group focuses on materials innovations, device integration, and manufacturing, with ongoing research activities on electrified ultrahigh-temperature synthesis, energy storage beyond Li-ion batteries, and novel wood nanotechnologies. Dr. Hu has published >450 research papers (including >10 Science and Nature) and is an inventor with 25 issued patents and 45 patent applications. He co-founded multiple startups based on technologies out of his research group.

EDUCATION

  • Ph.D. (2007) in Physics, University of California, Los Angeles
  • B.S. (2002) in Physics, University of Science and Technology of China 

HONORS AND AWARDS

PATENTS (25 issued and 45 applications)

  • L. Hu, C. Wang, "Inverted Battery Devices, and Systems and Methods for Use Thereof", U.S. Patent No. 11,724,024.
  • L. Hu, E. D. Wachsman, B. Liu, L. Zhang, S. Xu, D. McOwen, C. Yang, "Lithium Battery", U.S. Patent No. 11,569,527.
  • L. Hu, M. Zhu, Y. Li, C. Chen, T. Li, H. Liu, A. Gong, Y. Kuang, "Wood-based Solar Thermal Devices, and Methods for Fabrication and Use Thereof", U.S. Patent No. 11,578,894.
  • L. Hu, T. Li, C. Yang, X. Zhang, R. M. Briber, M. Wu, "Ion-conducting Structures, Devices including Ion-conducting Structures, and Methods for Use and Fabrication Thereof", U.S. Patent No. 11,374,255.
  • L. Hu, Y. Chen, Y. Yao, "Nanoparticles and Systems and Methods for Synthesizing Nanoparticles Through Thermal Shock", U.S. Patent No. 11,369,929.
  • Y. Yao, L. Hu, "Thermal Shock Synthesis of Multielement Nanoparticles", U.S. Patent No. 11,193,191.
  • L. Hu, M. Zhu, J. Song, "Stong and Tough Structural Wood Materials, and Methods for Fabricating and Use Thereof", U.S. Patent No. 11,130,256.
  • L. Hu, E. D. Wachsman, Y. Gong, K. Fu, W. Luo, C. Wang, "Metal Alloy Layers on Substrates, Methods of Making Same, and Uses Thereof", U.S. Patent No. 11,043,696.
  • L. Hu, Z. Fang, H. Zhu, "Scalable, Highly Transparent Paper with Microsized Fiber", U.S. Patent No. 10,982,390.
  • L. Hu, X. Han, E. D. Wachsman, Y. Mo, "Interfacial Layers for Solid-state Batteries and Methods of Making Same", U.S. Patent No. 10,971,761.
  • L. Hu, F. Chen, A. Gong, "Membranes and Methods of Use Thereof", U.S. Patent No. 10,940,444.
  • A. C. Kozen, M. A. Schroeder, G. W. Rubloff, L. Hu, M. Noked, S. Lee, "Protection Layers for Metal Anodes", U.S. Patent No. 10,826,065.
  • E. D. Wachsman, L. Hu, V. Thangadurai, "Ion Conducting Batteries with Solid State Electrolyte Materials", U.S. Patent No. 10,622,666.
  • L. Hu, Z. Fang, H. Zhu, "Super Clear Cellulose Paper", U.S. Patent No. 10,480,126.
  • L. Hu, Y. Yao, T. Li, "Transparent Hybrid Substrates, Devices Employing such Substrates, and Methods for Fabrication and Use Thereof", U.S. Patent No. 10,411,222.
  • L. Hu, J. Choi, Y. Yangy, Y. Cui, "Conductive Fibrous Materials", U.S. Patent No. 9,138,965.
  • S. Jeong, L. Hu, Y. Cui, "Method for Forming a Nano-textured Substrate", U.S. Patent No. 8,999,857.
  • L. Cui, Y. Cui, L. Hu, "Nanotube-based Nanomaterial Membrane", U.S. Patent No. 8,974,967.
  • Y. Yang, L. Hu, Y. Cui, S. Jeong, "Transparent Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices", U.S. Patent No. 8,956,757.
  • Y. Cui, H. Wu, L. Hu, "Electrodes with Electrospun Fibers", U.S. Patent No. 8,940,194.
  • L. Hu, D. Hecht, J. Jue, G. Gruner, "Compliant and Nonplanar Nanostructure Films", U.S. Patent No. 8,815,346.
  • Y. Park, G. Gruner, L. Hu, "Transparent and Conductive Nanostructure-film Pixel Electrode and Method of Making the Same", U.S. Patent No. 8,785,939.
  • L. Hu, G. Gruner, "Touch Screen Devices Employing Nanostructure Networks", U.S. Patent No. 8,390,589.
  • G. Gruner, D. Hecht, L. Hu, "Method of Producing a Graphene Film as Transparent and Electrically Conducting Material", U.S. Patent No. 7,785,557.
  • G. Gruner, L. Hu, D. Hecht, "Graphene Film as Transparent and Electrically Conducting Material", U.S. Patent No. 7,449,133.

  • Wood nanoscience and nanotechnologies, various engineered wood such as super wood, transparent wood, moldable wood, and insulating wood
  • Ultrahigh temperature processes and their use for non-equilibrium synthesis (shock synthesis)
  • High entropy catalysts
  • Ionic materials and technologies
  • Solid state batteries
  • Roll-to-roll printed electronics and flexible electronics

Dr. Hu is currently leading various projects funded by DOE-ARPA_E, DOE-EERE, NSF, DARPA, and industry partners.

Professor Hu teaches "Nanotechnology for Energy: Principles, Materials and Devices" at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Professor Hu is also active in mentoring and outreach activities, including serving as an advisor to a Gemstone honors program team, hosting visits from high school students in Women In Engineering's LEAD Academy summer program, a partnership with Wheaton High School to create summer internships and new science lessons, and talking to visitors of all ages about materials science at Maryland Day.

​​​​​​Google Scholar

  • Xie, H.; Liu, N.; Zhang, Q.; Zhong, H.; Guo, L.; Zhao, X.; Li, D.; Liu, S.; Huang, Z.; Lele, A.; Brozena, A.; Wang, X.; Song, K.; Chen, S.; Yao, Y.; Chi, M.; Xiong, W.; Rao, J.; Zhao, M.; Shneider, M.; Luo, J.; Zhao, J.; Ju, Y.; Hu, L.* A Stable Atmospheric Pressure Plasma for Extreme-Temperature Synthesis, Nature, 2023.

  • Zhao, X.; Li, T.; Xie, H.; Liu, H.; Wang, L.; Qu, Y.; Li, S.; Liu, S.; Brozena, A.; Yu, Z.; Srebric, J.; Hu, L.* A Solution-Processed Radiative Cooling Glass, Science, 2023, 382, 684.

  • Dong, Q.; Dilip Lele, A.; Zhao, X.; Li, S.; Cheng, S.; Wang, Y.; Cui, M.; Guo, M.; Brozena, A.H.; Lin, Y.; Li, T.; Xu, L.; Qi, A.; Kevrekidis, I.; Mei, J.; Pan, X.; Liu, D.; Ju, Y.;  Hu, L.* Depolymerization of Plastics via Electrified Spatiotemporal Heating, Nature, 2023, 616, 488.

  • Dong, Q.; Yao, Y.; Cheng, S.; Alexopoulos, K.; Gao, J.; Srinivas, S.; Yang, Y.; Pei, Y.; Zheng, C.;  Brozena, A.H.; Zhao, H.; Wang, X.; Toraman, H.; Yang, B.;  Kevrekidis, I.; Ju, Y.; Vlachos, D.; Liu, D.; Hu, L.* Programmable Heating and Quenching for Efficient Thermochemical Synthesis. Nature, 2022, 605, 470.  (COVER)

  • Yao, Y.; Dong, Q.; Brozena, A.; Luo, J.; Miao, J.; Chi, M.; Wang, C.; Kevrekidis, I.; Ren, J.; Greeley, J.; Wang, G.; Anapolsky, A.; Hu, L.* High Entropy Nanoparticles: Synthesis-Structure-Property Relationships and Data-Driven Accelerated Discovery, Science, 2022, 376, eabn3102.

  • Yang, C.; Wu, Q.; Xie, W.; Zhang, X.;  Brozena, A.; Zheng, J.; Garage, M.N.; Ko, B.; Mao, Y.; He, S.; Gao, Y.; Wang, P.; Tyagi, M.; Jiao, F.; Briber, R.; Albertus, P.; Wang, C.; Greenbaum, S.; Hu, Y.; Isogai, A.; Winter, M.; Xu, K.; Qi, Y.; Hu, L.* Copper-Coordinated Cellulose Ion Conductors for Solid-State Batteries, Nature, 2021, 598, 590.

  • Xiao, S; Chen, C.; Xia, Q.; Liu, Y.; Yao, Y.; Chen, Q.; Hartsfield, M.; Brozena, A.; Tu, K.; Eichhorn, S.J.; Yao, Y.; Li. J.; Gan, W.; Shi, S.; Yang, V.; Ricco, M.; Zhu, Y.; Burgert, I.; Luo, A.; Li, T.;  Hu, L.* Lightwight, Strong, Modldable Wood via Cell Wall Engineering as a Sustainable Structural Material, Science, 2021, 374, 465. (COVER

  • Li, T.; Chen, C.; Brozena, A.; Zhu, J.; Xu, L.; Driemeier, C.; Dai, J.; Rojas, O.; Isogai, A.; Wagberg, L.; Hu, L.* Developing Fibrillated Cellulose as a Sustainable Technological Material, Nature, 2021, 590, 47.

  • Wang, C.; Ping, W.; Bai, Q.; Cui, H.; Hensleigh, R.; Wang, R.; Brozena, A., Xu, Z.; Dai, J.; Pei, Y.; Zheng, C.; Pastel, G.; Gao, J.; Wang, X.; Wang, H.; Zhao, J.; Yang, B.; Luo, J.; Zheng, X.; Mo, Y.; Dunn, B.; Hu, L.* A General Method to Synthesize and Sinter Bulk Ceramics in Seconds, Science, 2020, 268 (6490), 521-526. (COVER)

  • Li, T.; Zhai, Y.; He, S.; Gan, W.; Wei, Z.; Heidarinejad, M.; Dalgo, D.; Mi, R.; Zhao, X.; Song, J.; Dai, J.; Chen, C.; Aili, A.; Vellore, A.; Martini, A.; Yang, R.; Srebric, J.; Yin, X.; Hu, L.* A Radiative Cooling Structural Material. Science, 2019, 364 (6442), 760.

  • Yao, Y.; Huang, Z.; Xie, P.; Lacey, S.; Jacob, R.; Xie, H.; Chen, F.; Nie, A.; Pu, T.; Rehwoldt, M.; Yu, D.; Zachariah, M.; Wang, C.; Shahbazian-Yassar R.; Li, J.; Hu, L.* Carbothermal Shock Synthesis of High-Entropy-Alloy Nanoparticles. Science, 2018, 359 (6383), 1489 (COVER).

  • Song, J.; Chen, C.; Zhu, S.; Zhu, M.; Dai, J.; Ray, U.; Li, Y.; Kuang, Y.; Li, Y.; Quyispe, N.; Yao, Y.; Gong, A.; Leiste, U.H.; Bruck, H.A.; Zhu, J.Y.; Vellore, A.; Martini, A.; Li, T.; Hu, L.* Processing Bulk Natural Wood into a High-Performance Structural Materials. Nature, 2018, 554 (7691), 224.

 

Researchers’ Battery Breakthrough Improves Performance at Lower Costs

New lithium-ion batteries with silicon materials could hit the market with lower environmental and manufacturing costs.

New Genetically Engineered Wood Can Store Carbon and Reduce Emissions

UMD Researchers Edited Poplar Tree Genes to Produce Chemical-Free, Sustainable Structural Wood Products

Shellfish Waste Engineered to Preserve Produce for Healthier, Longer Shelf Life

A multidisciplinary research effort unveiled a biocompatible food preservation technology to remove pesticides from produce, extend shelf life.  

“Build Our Future” grants include two MEI2 energy companies

$2.3M in State Grants Awarded to University of Maryland-Affiliated Projects

Ichiro Takeuchi Elected Fellow of the Materials Research Society

The professor becomes the second in the department to earn this lifetime distinction.

‘Flash Heating’ Technology Preserves Food at No Nutritional Cost

An interdisciplinary study among engineers and food scientists revealed a new food preservation technology that could improve quality and nutrition value.

Reflecting on a Successful 2023–24 Academic Year

As we come to the close of another academic year, it is a time to celebrate the achievements of our faculty, staff, students—and especially our graduates!

Groundbreaking Plasma Innovation Shines as Invention of the Year

Maryland Engineers Take Home Top Prize at 2024 Innovate Maryland

Celebrating Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American Engineers

The impact made by APIDA engineers—at the Clark School, and on our country and world—improves our community and field in numerous and significant ways.

Seven Current and Former Maryland MSE Students to Attend 73rd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting

The scholars will travel to Lindau, Germany in late June for a week-long discussion spanning the future of physics.

Next-Generation Batteries Could Come with Lower Production Costs, Less Environmental Impact

New technologies could replace conventional batteries to power electric vehicles and enable long-distance transportation.

Maryland Researchers Awarded $1.5 Million to Pioneer Batteries for Electric Rail and Maritime Transportation

New technologies could reduce the carbon footprint attributed to the freight transportation sector.

Reflecting on 20 Years of Excellence and Innovation

Materials Science and Engineering celebrated its anniversary on November 7, 2023.

A Facile and Accessible Plasma Hotter Than the Surface of The Sun

Maryland and Princeton professors invented a new ultra-hot plasma capable of melting everything on the planet to synthesize new materials. 

UMD Researchers’ ‘Cooling Glass’ Blasts Building Heat Into Space

New Coating Can Be Applied to Various Exterior Surfaces to Reduce AC Use, Fight Climate Change

At the White House: Professor Liangbing Hu Showcases More Sustainable, Steel-Strength “Super Wood”

Hu’s Super Wood Among 40 Great Innovations Offering Scalable Solutions to Societal Challenges

Liangbing Hu Is Key PI of New Energy Earthshot Research Center

The new Oak Ridge National Laboratory Energy Earthshot Research Center aims to develop sustainable chemical processes.

MSE Research Featured on National News Network

Ichiro Takeuchi and Liangbing Hu discuss research innovations at The Circuit News. 

UMD's 40th Annual Convocation Honors Engineering Staff, Faculty

The University of Maryland's 40th annual Convocation will honor 33 faculty and staff—including four from the A. James Clark School of Engineering—for their contributions to education, research, and the campus community.

Hu Develops Eco-Friendly Process for Natural Bamboo Composite

The new bioadhesion strategy would pave the way for more structural applications.

Hu, Ulukus, DeVoe Recognized with UMD Distinguished Honors

Three Maryland Engineering professors—Liangbing Hu, Sennur Ulukus, and Don DeVoe—are among the 16 University of Maryland faculty members recognized this year as Distinguished University Professors and Distinguished Scholar-Teachers.

Battery Recycling

Battery Recycling: Scientists Develop Swift, Scalable, and Eco-friendly Process for Upcycling Degraded Graphite

Powering a Greener Future

Engineering Sustainability Day showcases entrepreneurial talent

Device That Harvests Water From Air Named Top UMD Invention of the Year

Innovate Maryland event also celebrates work on plastic substitutes, cancer detection, quantum science

Electrified Plastic Recycling Toward A Sustainable Future

Multi-institutional study published in Nature

Energy Secretary and Maryland Governor visit with MEI2 startups

ARPA-E Summit showcases multiple UMD clean energy technologies

Ten Maryland MSE Faculty Members Ranked in Top 2% of World Scientists

Elsevier releases updated science-wide database

UMD Scientists Develop Wood-MOF for Greater Sustainability

Metal-organic Framework will support many environmental applications

InventWood and UMD Receive $20M ARPA-E SCALEUP Award

UMD exceeds $100M in ARPA-E funding

UMD Scientists Achieve Ultrahigh-Temperature Melt Printing

Direct metal melt printing towards additive manufacturing of multi-principal element alloys

Maryland Engineers Get Cracking on Sustainability with Crab Shell-based Battery

Biodegradable electrolyte could lessen pollution burden of electric vehicles

Dr. Liangbing Hu Winner of R&D 100 Award

Expanded Cellulose Super Ion Conductor Honored

Liangbing Hu Named Finalist for 2022 Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists

Hu has become a sustainable materials leader by creating novel wood-based technologies to replace energy-intensive structural materials.

Converting Biowaste into Hydroxide Exchange Membrane

Exoskeletons of shellfish provide a cheap, eco-friendly alternative to other HEM fuel cells currently on the market.

Radical scavengers improve the durability of electrocatalysts

Study, published in Nature Energy, demonstrates prolonged catalyst durability.  

MSE Prof. Liangbing Hu Granted $5.6M in DOE ARPA-E Funding

Funds offered by the ARPA-E project will go towards the development of clean energy technology.

Engineering a Multi-Element Atomic Arrangement

A novel disorder-to-order transition strategy for ordered nanoparticles published in Science Advances.

Nine Maryland Engineers Recognized as Being "One in 1,000"

Clark School researchers among the "who's who" of influential researchers, according to Clarivate.

Wood That Can Cut Like Steel, Be Molded Like Plastic or Build Batteries?

Maryland engineers discover more new dimensions of an ancient material.

UMD-Led Team Wins NSF Award for Rapid Materials Design

The collaborative team receives $1.8 million in funding to develop an integrated framework to drive the rapid design of novel materials for batteries and fuel cells.

Moldable Wood from Water ‘Shock’ Process

A UMD research team has developed a strong yet incredibly flexible wood material that could be used in construction, automotives, and beyond.

Expanded Wood Fiber for High-Performance Solid-State Paper Batteries

UMD research group invented the first high-performance solid-state paper batteries by a new molecular scale engineering method.

Liangbing Hu’s HighT-Tech Wins 2021 Spinoff Prize

Prize conferred to UMD start-up for innovative catalysis development.

Three Engineers Among 2021-2022 Distinguished Scholar-Teachers

Abshire, Fisher and Hu honored for outstanding success in scholarly accomplishment and excellence in teaching.

Convocation to Shine Spotlight on Faculty, Staff Accomplishments

Six Clark School faculty and staff will be honored at UMD's 38th annual Convocation on Sept. 15, 2021.

Maryland Engineering ranked #12 public undergraduate program in the country

For the third consecutive year, the Clark School's rises in U.S. News & World Report ranking.

Liangbing Hu Named Finalist for 2021 Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists

The winners of the $250K prize will be announced on July 20.

Liangbing Hu Elected to the Class of 2021 MRS Fellows

Hu is the first UMD scholar to receive this honor.

Plastic Alternative Made 100% of Wood

Study on strong, biodegradable and recyclable bioplastic published in Nature Sustainability.

Could Nanocellulose Save Us?

The building blocks of plants may taper our dependency on fossil fuels.

CREB Kicks Off 2021 with Meeting to Discuss Future of Battery Research

The virtual meeting aimed to bolster battery technology under extreme conditions.

14 Mtech-affiliated companies named to Maryland’s list of 20 hottest innovative start-ups

Maryland’s Future 20 is a list of startups that have the potential to be the state’s next major business success story.

Scientists Design and Synthesize Denary Oxide Nanoparticles as Highly Stable Catalysts

Multi-Institutional research study made the January 2021 cover of Nature Catalysis.

UMD-Harvard team wins ARPA-E award for Transformational Energy Technology

Team to develop ultrahigh temperature coatings for jet engines and electricity-generation gas turbines

Seven UMD Engineers Recognized as Highly Cited Researchers

Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers have published multiple papers frequently cited by their peers over the last decade.

Two Maryland Energy Innovation Institute Start-Ups Named to Governor’s Future 20 List

Ion Storage Systems and InventWood hailed as talented innovators

Printed Solid-State Batteries

Printable, high-performance solid-state electrolyte films for next generation Li batteries.

Symptoms all in your head—or in your gut? Maybe a little of both.

UMD researchers are building an ingestible capsule that can monitor and model gut microbiome serotonin activity and help demystify the “gut-brain axis.”

'Speedy Ceramics' Method Receives 2020 ARPA-E Award

Project led by Liangbing Hu received $1M to develop pipe renovation technology.

MSE Researcher Chengwei Wang Receives MRS Postdoctoral Award

Wang will be honored during an event coordinated with the 2020 Virtual MRS Spring/Fall Meeting later this year.

Li Wins NSF Grant to Study High-Performance Cellulose Materials

Bioderived cellulose could be used in vehicles, construction.

Hafezi, Hu Named Blavatnik Finalists for Second Straight Year

For the second year in a row, two Clark School faculty members have been named Finalists of the Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists.

New, superfast method for ceramic manufacturing could open door to AI-driven materials discovery

UMD engineers have reinvented a 26,000-year-old manufacturing process into an innovative approach to fabricating ceramic materials.

Building a Better, Eco-Friendlier Straw

Newly-published UMD research details a potential breakthrough

Maryland Engineers Open Door to Big New Library of Tiny Nanoparticles

A new study published in Science Advances expands the landscape of nanomaterials, and what we can do with them.

UMD Launches Center for Materials Innovation

Research center, led by Liangbing Hu, will use innovative materials development to solve the world’s most pressing problems. 

Thin Wood Film Amplifies Speaker Technology

UMD study published in Nature Communications.

Emily Hitz Named by Nature as One of Five Early Career Researchers in Materials Science

Hitz is an MSE Ph.D. student, advised by Liangbing Hu, conducting research on solid-state batteries.

MEI² Scientists Named Highly Cited Researchers in 2019

Hu and Wang identified by Web of Science

'Wood' You Like Some Fresh Water?

New treatment for wood could make a membrane to extract fresh water.

Two Clark School Faculty Named Finalists of Prestigious Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists

Hafezi and Hu are among 31 of the nation's rising stars who will compete for three Blavatnik National Awards.

Cooling Wood: An Eco-Friendly Building Material

UMD and Boulder engineers create strong, sustainable solution for passive cooling

Li Member of UMD Invention of the Year Award Winning Team

Awards honor inventions with potential for transformative impact on science, society, and the free market.

Solar evaporator offers a fresh route to fresh water

A self-cleaning device made of wood aims to make small-scale desalination more practical.

Wood-based Technology Creates Electricity from Heat

Briber, Das and Hu make novel heat-conversion membrane

Wachsman and Wang “Battery 500” Awards selected for Phase II

DOE greenlights 2 UMD awards in second round

Clark School Faculty Members Named Highly Cited Researchers

Hu, Wang demonstrated significant influence through publication of multiple highly cited papers during the last decade.

Scientists Mix the Unmixable to Create 'Shocking' Nanoparticles

Researchers are the first to create nanoscale particles composed of up to eight distinct elements generally known to be immiscible.

2018 ARPA-E Summit to Showcase UMD Innovations

UMD Energy Innovation Technologies dominate

Super Wood Could Replace Steel

A new process could make wood as strong as titanium alloy but lighter and cheaper

Clark School Researchers Recognized Among "World's Most Influential Scientific Minds"

Three Clark School faculty members have been named to Clarivate Analytics' 2017 Highly Cited Researchers list.

Li Named to Forbes' "30 Under 30" List

Clark School postdoc receives international recognition for her contributions to transparent wood.

MSE PhD Student Receives 3-Year NASA Fellowship

Emily Hitz is one of only five recipients of Aeronautics Scholarships and Advanced STEM Training and Research Fellowship.

UMD’s bio-compatible battery garners international coverage

One-of-a-kind device showcased for medical, scientific advances

3D-Printed Evaporator is Sustainable Approach to Water Shortage

The evaporator uses solar energy to efficiently purify water.

UMD Engineering Gives Solar Decathlon Team a Competitive Edge

What if we told you that wood can be used to make a smart window that is more energy efficient than glass?

Wood filter removes toxic dye from water

Hu, Das flow water through wood in new use of natural materials

UMERC’s Liangbing Hu pitches transparent wood technology at 2017 ARPA-E Innovation Summit

UMERC is a multidisciplinary initiative dedicated to advancing the frontiers of energy science and technology.

A peek under a hybrid’s hood reveals wood?

Engineers at UMD make all-wood supercapacitor

UMD Researchers Find Ultra-thin Solution to Primary Obstacle in Solid-State Battery Development

Clark School researchers are developing game-changing solid-state battery technology

Transparent Wood: Clark School Research in the News

‘Cooler than glass’ windows receive international coverage

DOE Awards $1.25M to UMERC Researchers to Develop Safer, Better Batteries

The Department of Energy awards UMD research on safer, better Lithium-ion battery technology as part of a $137 million investment in vehicle efficiency.

Wood Windows are Cooler than Glass

A study by engineers at the University of Maryland shows that natural microstructures in transparent wood are the key to lighting & insulation advantages.

A View Through Wood Shows Futuristic Applications

Transparent wood made at UMD could create new windows, cars and solar panels

Hu and Munday Win Young Investigator Award

Liangbing Hu and Jeremy Munday win the 2016 Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award.

UMD has Largest University Showing at 2016 ARPA-E Summit

UMD researchers showcase transformative energy research at ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit

Hu wins 2015 Junior Faculty Outstanding Research Award

Shows "promise [for] significant and lasting impact" in nanoscience

University of Maryland Researchers Accept NASA Mission: Build a Better Battery for Space Exploration

UMD researchers awarded NASA funding for advanced energy storage technology

New Battery Demonstrates “Sweet Spot” of Electrolyte Thickness and Composition

Atom-scale synthesis makes highly conductive LiPON for solid-state battery

Transparent, Interactive Nanopaper Uses Touch to Generate Electricity

New material described in ACS Nano, featured in Nanowerk and C&EN.

Small Can Be Strong and Tough

The smaller the cellulose fibers, the stronger and tougher the paper they make, to UMD researchers’ surprise

Thin coatings controlled at atomic scale protect high performance lithium anodes

Anodes with layer of alumina resist corrosion and cycle well

Creating Transparent Electronic Networks with Graphene-Based Ink

Printed transparent conductors are the first to use sodium ions embedded in reduced graphene oxide to boost performance.

2015 Dean's Student Research Awards

Winners of the 2015 Dean's Student Research Awards have been announced.

Welcome to Graphene Beach!

Jiayu Wan wins Materials Research Society’s Science-As-Art competition.

Lacey Wins Nat'l Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship

Award supports graduate student’s study of printed and flexible electronics and batteries.

Bailey Awarded NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

Four materials science students receive Honorable Mentions.

Saving Energy with ‘Personal HVAC Systems’

UMD awarded more than $5 million by ARPA-E to fund potentially transformational research.

Hu, Leite Named Outstanding Engineer and Scientist of the Year (VIDEO)

Materials Science professors receive awards from the Md. Academy of Sciences and Md. Science Center.

Li and Hu Awarded NSF Grant to Study Challenges in Creating Materials that are Both Stronger and Tougher

NSF funds new research to tackle tough challenge in material design.

DOE Invests in UMERC Battery Research

Researchers receive $1.2 million to study solid-state Li-ion batteries.

UMERC's Advanced Energy Storage Technology Selected by NASA

Energy storage research at UMERC has been selected by NASA to potentially power future space missions.

Adding Lithium Boosts Transparency and Conductivity of Graphite

New material designed to boost performance of solar cells, displays, and electronics published in Nature Communications.

Department of Energy renews NEES EFRC for four years

The center develops highly ordered nanostructures that offer a unique way of looking at the science of energy storage.

Clark School Faculty Recognized at Celebration of Innovation and Partnerships

Clark School researchers sweep three categories for 2013 Invention of the Year

The Quest for a Better Battery

UMD Invention of the Year Finalists Charge Ahead

Nanopaper Featured in Nature Photonics News & Views

Article highlights Hu Group’s recent paper in Nano Letters.

NSF Grants for Graphene Research Awarded to Hu, Rubloff

Research at the nano-scale nets university over half-million dollars in funding

UMD Researchers Awarded Two ARPA-E Grants for Electric Vehicle Energy Storage Systems

Eric Wachsman and Chunsheng Wang receive funding to create innovative batteries for electric vehicle energy storage systems.

UMD Energy Innovations Featured Prominently in the News

Clark School energy research, including solid oxide fuel cells and wood battery, featured in variety of mainstream media outlets.

"Battery Made of Wood" Featured on National Public Radio (Audio)

Professor and alumnus interviewed for Morning Edition.

A Battery Made of Wood?

Wood fibers help nano-scale batteries keep their structure

Air Force Supports Study on Nanopaper for Electronics, Aircraft

Hu wins prestigious Air Force Young Investigator Award.

Rubloff Co-Authors Major DoE Report on Emerging Energy Technologies

Publication focuses on opportunities in mesoscale science.

Hu Joins Materials Science and Engineering Faculty

Professor offers expertise in nanotech, energy devices and flexible electronics.