Zan Gao
Pittsburgh,PA
Summary
Experienced Lead Battery Materials Scientist/Engineer specializing in battery materials design, electrochemical characterization, and advanced energy storage systems. Skilled in Li-Sulfur batteries, lithium-metal anodes, cathode development, and electrolyte optimization. Demonstrates success in industry-driven R&D, project leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and developing IP in battery science. Extensive experience in cell design, failure analysis, and data-driven material optimization.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead New Materials Development Engineer
Coherent Corp.
01.2024 - Current
- Leading R&D efforts on high-energy/high-rate lithium-sulfur batteries for drone and EV applications (pouch cell design, assemble, evaluation and optimization)
- Managing a cross-functional team to optimize electrolyte formulations and anode materials for government-funded IAPAR Phase III and DOE projects
- Mentoring interns for battery failure analysis (thermal aging, gassing and impedance build-up) and cycle life improvements
- Spearheading DOE-funded projects, targeting >1000 cycles at 80% depth of discharge
- Contributing to patent/IP generating and proposal writing for federal and industry funding opportunities
New Materials Development Engineer
Coherent Corp.
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Designed and optimized Li-S battery systems for U.S Intelligence Advanced Research Projects (IAPAR), Phase I and Phase II
- Developed electrolyte solutions enabling low-temperature performance and high-temperature stability
- Conducted pouch cell testing, failure analysis, and life cycle assessment to refine battery performance
- Led proposal development for government-funded battery technology initiatives
- Secured $4.2 million funding from DOE VTO office to develop Li-S battery with >250 Wh/Kg energy density and 1000 cycles at 80% DOD cycling.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
University of Connecticut
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Engineered wearable multimodal neural probes for neurotransmitter monitoring using graphene-based FETs
- Conducted material fictionalization for multiplexed neurochemical sensing
Research Associate
University of Virginia
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Led DOE project on low-cost carbon fiber development for light-weight vehicle appliactions
- Applied multiscale modeling (DFT, MD, ReaxFF) to optimize fiber microstructure
Education
Ph.D. - Mechanical Engineering
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA01.2018
M.S. - Applied Chemistry
Harbin Engineering University
01.2012
B.S. - Environmental Engineering
Harbin Engineering University
01.2009
Skills
- Materials Synthesis & Processing
- Electrochemistry & Battery Chemistry
- Materials Characterization Techniques
- Modeling & Simulations (COMSOL, Materials Studio, DFT, MD)
- DOE & Data Analysis (Minitab, JMP, Python-based Analysis)
- Problem Solving & Critical Thinking
- Project Management
- Communication & Collaboration
- Scientific Writing & Proposal Development
Core Expertise
- Battery Chemistry & Materials: Li-S, Li-Metal, NMC, LFP, carbon/sulfur composites
- Electrode Processing: Wet/dry coating, calendaring, slurry optimization
- Electrolyte Optimization: electrolyte formulation (liquid, gel, solid) for battery under extreme conditions (low/high temperature, ultra-lean).
- Pouch Cell Development: Design, assembly, and performance evaluation
- Electrochemical Testing: CV, EIS, DCIR, GITT, cycle life & failure analysis
- Materials Characterization: XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, Raman, FTIR, BET, NMR, TGA/DSC, GC/MS.
- DOE & Data Analysis: Minitab for experiment planning and data interpretation.
- Simulation & Modeling: COMSOL, DFT, MD, ReaxFF
- Leadership & Team Management: Mentorship, project leadership, and cross-functional collaboration
- Scientific Writing & Proposal Development: 51 publications, 6,800+ citations, H-index: 40
- Intellectual Property & Innovation: 5+ patents in battery materials & energy storage
Key Patents And Publications
- 51 peer-reviewed papers, including 2 in Science Advances, 2 in Nature Communications, and 2 in Nano Letters.
- 6,900+ citations, H-index: 40 (Google Scholar, 02/01/25).
- Patent: Double-sided coating for electrochemical devices application (2023).
- Patent: An electrolyte comprising a solvent comprising an ester and/or carbonate group(s) and an ether group for an electrochemical device (2024).
- Nature Energy (2025, under prep.): Revisiting sulfur cathode design for EV Li-S cells.
- Nature Communications (2016): Cotton-textile-enabled flexible self-sustaining power packs via roll-to-roll fabrication.
- Nano Letters (2015): Cotton-textile-enabled flexible Li-ion batteries.
Leadership And Industry Engagement
- Mentor & Supervisor, Interns & Co-Op Students, 2021 – Present
- Board Member, Electrochemical Society (ECS) Student Center, 2016 – 2019
- Reviewer, Advanced Energy Materials, Nano Energy, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
- Proposal Developer, Secured funding from DOE VTO and industry collaborations
Professional Recognition And Awards
- Energy Technology Graduate Award, Electrochemical Society, 2019
- Volkswagen Group of North America Fellowship, University of Virginia, 2017
- Outstanding Graduate Researcher, University of Virginia, 2016
Note
Full publication and patent list available upon request.
Languages
Chinese (Mandarin)
Native or Bilingual
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Lead New Materials Development Engineer
Coherent Corp.
01.2024 - Current
New Materials Development Engineer
Coherent Corp.
01.2021 - 01.2023
Postdoctoral Research Associate
University of Connecticut
01.2020 - 01.2021
Research Associate
University of Virginia
01.2019 - 01.2020
Ph.D. - Mechanical Engineering
University of Virginia
M.S. - Applied Chemistry
Harbin Engineering University
B.S. - Environmental Engineering
Harbin Engineering University
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