Brookhaven Lab Scientist Yimei Zhu to be Honored at Asian American Celebration

May 7, 2015

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Using structure model of YBaCuO superconductor, Yimei Zhu is searching for novel class of materials that can carry electric current without energy loss and create faster and more efficient computers and new electronic and energy technologies.

UPTON, NY —Yimei Zhu, a senior physicist at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory, will be honored as a distinguished Asian American professional at a ceremony to be held on May 9, 2015 at the Seventh Annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration to be held at the Wang Center at Stony Brook University. Zhu will accept a proclamation from Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone at the ceremony, which commences at 4:30 p.m.

Zhu has made major contributions to a number of areas in condensed matter physics, materials science, and chemistry as well as nanoscience and technology.  His research focuses on understanding the structure and properties of superconductors, catalysts, batteries, and thermoelectric materials. 

"I am honored and elated to be recognized for my scientific contributions," said Zhu, who is internationally recognized as a leader in his research fields. "I want to thank Brookhaven Lab and DOE for the opportunities and support they have given me to conduct this very important research that I believe will have long-lasting positive impacts on our world," said Zhu.

Zhu conducts most of his research using Brookhaven's world-class electron microscopes that can magnify an object more than 50 million times its size to study materials at the atomic scale. Zhu's work includes exploring materials such as thermoelectrics that can convert heat to electricity, superconductors that can conduct electricity with no energy loss, and materials that can be used in magneto-electronic devices at nanoscale dimensions for applications ranging from digital communication to data storage. 

Zhu's work may also have significant implications in the emerging field of spintronics, a new type of technology which may lead to applications that will create faster and more efficient computers and new electronic and energy technologies. 

Yimei Zhu earned a B.S. in materials physics from JiaoTong University, Shanghai, in 1982, and was one of the first few students selected in China to pursue graduate study abroad after the country opened its doors to the West. He received his M.S. and Ph.D., also in materials physics, from Nagoya University, Japan, in 1985 and 1987, respectively. After working as a research associate at the University of Virginia, Zhu joined Brookhaven in 1988 and rose through the ranks to become a senior scientist in 2002. Zhu was one of the three original principle investigators of Brookhaven Lab's Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN), which opened in 2007. He served as a CFN facility leader from 2003-2012 and is currently head of the Electron Microscopy and Nanostructure Group in the Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science Department at Brookhaven.  He is also an adjunct professor at Columbia University and Stony Brook University. Zhu has received numerous awards, including the U.S. Department of Energy's Chunky Bullet Award in 2001, Brookhaven Lab's Distinguished Science and Technology Award in 2003, and R&D100 Award in 2011. He is an Inaugural Fellow of Microscopy Society of America and a Fellow of the American Physical Society. Zhu is also credited with more than 400 journal articles and has been an invited speaker delivering more than 200 talks in the international conferences and workshops. Recognizing the importance of training our next generation of scientists, he is a dedicated mentor to many young scientists who are embarking on their careers.

In addition to Zhu's award, Brookhaven Lab's Asian Pacific American Association will also be honored for their leadership in the Asian Pacific American community by promoting unity and awareness through educational, cultural, and social programs.  

Following the presentation of awards for distinguished Asian Americans, festivities will include dance and musical performances, photo exhibits, corporate displays, vendors, and more. For additional information on the event go to: http://www.scaaab.org/2015_asian_american__pacific_islander_heritage_month

The Seventh Annual Asian American Pacific Heritage Celebration is organized by Suffolk County Asian American Advisory Board, Suffolk County Office of Minority Affairs, Charles B. Wang Center and Wellbrook Foundation, Inc. in collaboration with Brookhaven National Laboratory, InvaGen Pharmacuetical, The Center for Chinese Learning at Stony Brook, Suffolk County Police Jade Society, Kerala Association of Suffolk County, Habberstad BMW,  JEI LEarning Center at Stony Brook, Long Island Korean United Methodist Church, MISCH Instruments, Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel and Truth Technologies, Inc.

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