Dr. Zhang's research interests focus on energy and the environment, driven by societal impact. He studies the effects of airborne particulate matters (PM) and gaseous pollutants on ambient air quality, indoor environmental quality and climate change, using numerical models and experimental techniques. One important goal is to establish a source-to-receptor relationship for harmful air pollutants and indoor contaminants. Dr. Zhang's group has developed CTAG (which stands for Comprehensive Turbulent Aerosol dynamics and Gas chemistry), an environmental turbulent reacting flow model, to simulate the transport and transformation of multiple pollutants in complex environments. Notably, CTAG has been used as a design tool for science-driven roadside green infrastructure for disadvantaged communities and assisted the development of new building downwash-sidewash algorithms for distributed generation. In parallel, his group has also employed data-driven techniques to provide actionable strategies for effective air quality and energy management, taking advantage of increasingly ubiquitous low-cost sensors.
Another major area of Dr. Zhang's research is sustainable energy systems. In a low-carbon economy, the production of energy will be more distributed, most energy services will be delivered to customers via the electric grid, and electric power systems, transportation systems and building systems are seamlessly integrated. His current research in this area focuses on 1) aggregating a large number of distributed and controllable energy resources such as heat pumps to provide a wide range of cost-effective systems services, and 2) renewable energy resources and solar farm designs. These technologies will greatly facilitate the transition to a reliable, secure, efficient and clean power system.
Dr. Zhang’s extensive experience with Internet of Things (IoT)-based solutions in the energy and environmental systems led him create an initiative to design the first statewide public IoT network in the U.S. He believes that combining broadband with Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) is the most cost-effective way to bridge the digital divide between rural and non-rural America. This initiative has already enabled a wide range of impactful research activities such as microclimate monitoring at solar farms across New York State and hyperlocal weather forecasting to enhance response winter storm response in rural communities.
Integration of community engagement into research and education is a unifying theme in Dr. Zhang’s academic and professional activities. He is working closely with the Office of Engagement Initiatives to establish community engagement and real-world learning experiences as the hallmark of the Cornell experience. Dr. Zhang is passionate about communicating science to the public. He is always looking for motivated students at all levels to join his group to pursue impact-driven research.
Aerosols, Air Quality and Climate Change; Energy Systems Engineering; Electrification of the heating and transportation sectors; Building systems; Internet of Things (IoT)
Dr. Zhang teaches Internet of Things (IoT), Future Energy Systems, Air Quality and Engineering Thermodynamics classes through the Sibley School.
