Zhongshu Ren
FXI Beamline Scientist, Imaging & Microscopy Program, National Synchrotron Light Source II

Brookhaven National Laboratory
National Synchrotron Light Source II
Bldg. 745, Room 5L140
P.O. Box 5000
Upton, NY 11973-5000
(631) 344-6226
zren2@bnl.gov
Expertise | Education | Appointments | Publications | Highlights | Awards | Certifications
Expertise
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Synchrotron-based Characterization
- Machine Learning
Education
- Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering (2020): Virginia Tech
- B.E. in Ocean Engineering (2014): Tianjin University, China
Professional Appointments
- Beamline Scientist, NSLS-II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, 2024
- Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2023
- Research Associate, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Virgiina, 2020
Selected Publications
- Ren Z, Gao L, Clark SJ, et al (2023) Machine learning–aided real-time detection of keyhole pore generation in laser powder bed fusion. Science 379:89–94. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.add4667
- Ren Z, Shao J, Liu H, et al (2024) Sub-millisecond keyhole pore detection in laser powder bed fusion using sound and light sensors and machine learning. Materials Futures. https://doi.org/10.1088/2752-5724/ad89e2
- Ren Z, Zhao C, Parab ND, Sun T (2023) Real-Time Monitoring of AM Processes. Springer Handbooks 515–536. 10.1007/978-3-031-20752-5_30
- Jiang R, Ren Z, Aroh J, et al (2022) Quantifying Equiaxed vs Epitaxial Solidification in Laser Melting of CMSX-4 Single Crystal Superalloy. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A 54:808–822. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-022-06929-2
- Gao, L., Chuang, A. C., Kenesei, P., Ren, Z., Balderson, L., and Sun, T. (2024) An operando synchrotron study on the effect of wire melting state on solidification microstructures of Inconel 718 in wire-laser directed energy deposition. International
- Gao, L., Bhattacharyya, J., Lin, W., Ren, Z., Chuang, A. C., Shevchenko, P., Nikitin, V., Ma, J., Agnew, S. R., and Sun, T. (2023) Tailoring material microstructure and property in wire-laser directed energy deposition through a wiggle deposition strategy. Additive Manufacturing 77:103801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2023.103801
Research Highlights
- Ensuring flawless metal 3D printing: New research tackles high-fidelity, high-resolution process monitoring
- Researchers unveil new AI-driven method for improving additive manufacturing
Awards & Recognition
- Graduate Paper Award from Society of Naval Architect and Marine Engineers (SNAME), 2020
- John L. Pratt Fellowship from Virginia Tech, 2019
- Audience Choice Award in Three Minute Thesis Competition from Virginia Tech, 2019
- 1st Place Graduate Student Poster Competition from American Society of Naval Engineers, 2017
- David A. O’Neil Graduate Scholarship from SNAME, 2016
Certifications
- Certified Completion of Professional Grant Development Workshop, 2023
- Certified Drone Pilot, 2019
- Certified LabVIEW Associated Developer, 2017-2019

Brookhaven National Laboratory
National Synchrotron Light Source II
Bldg. 745, Room 5L140
P.O. Box 5000
Upton, NY 11973-5000
(631) 344-6226
zren2@bnl.gov