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Cornell University

Team

Lenan Zhang

Principle Investigator

lzhang@cornell.edu

We are hiring!

 

 

Jintong Gao

Postdoc Researcher

jg2549@cornell.edu

Education

B.S. and M.S. in Power Engineering, Northeastern University, China, 2019

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China, 2023

Biography

Jintong is a postdoc researcher at Cornell University. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in December 2023. His doctoral research focused on sorption-based energy storage and solar desalination. Jintong’s work in solar desalination was recognized as the “Best Inventions of 2023” by TIME Magazine. Currently, he is working on synergetic production of green hydrogen and clean water.

 

 

Gong Zhang

Postdoc Researcher

gz292@cornell.edu

Education

B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, China, 2017

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University, China, 2023

Biography

Gong Zhang earned his B.S. (2017) and Ph.D. (2023) in Chemical Engineering from Tianjin University under the supervision of Prof. Jinlong Gong, then pursued postdoctoral research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison with Prof. Marcel Schreier before joining Cornell University’s ERL in 2025. His research covers nanocatalyst design, CO2 electroreduction, alkane/alkene valorization, operando spectroscopy, and electrochemical device engineering. At ERL, he focuses on developing transient surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, advancing CO2 electrodialysis, and exploring bubble dynamics. Outside the lab, he’s a passionate film enthusiast—firmly convinced that Quentin Tarantino is the greatest director of all time.

 

 

Siyuan Nie

Graduate Student

sn683@cornell.edu

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University, China, 2021

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China, 2024

Biography

Siyuan graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Wuhan University in 2021 and earned her master’s degree from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2024. Her research interests lie in the application of advanced materials and the exploration of underlying mechanisms through atomic simulation and characterization techniques. Currently, she is focusing on advanced optical and electron microscopy and spectroscopy to study fundamental gas adsorption and thermal transport phenomena.

 

 

Yipu Wang

Graduate Student

yw567@cornell.edu

Education

B.E. in Energy and Power Engineering, Wuhan University, China, 2020

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University, USA, 2024

Biography

Yipu graduated with a B.E. in Energy and Power Engineering from Wuhan University in 2020 and a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University in 2024. He is interested in heat/mass transfer and renewable energy, with applications focused on solar energy conversion, water desalination, and sustainability. Currently, he is developing high-performance passive cooling devices driven by salinity difference.

 

 

Jason (Jiayi) Zeng

Graduate Student

jz2487@cornell.edu

Education

B.S. In Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA, 2024

Biography

Jason (Jiayi) Zeng earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2024. His interests include heat transfer and optical metrology, with applications to transient thermal phenomena and electrochemical processes. He is currently developing a time-resolved Raman spectroscopy system to study the hydrogen evolution reaction and CO₂ electrodialysis.

 

 

Yuchen Zhang

Graduate Student

yz3465@cornell.edu

Education

B.Eng. in Energy and Environmental System Engineering, Zhejiang University, China, 2022

M.Eng. in Energy and Power Engineering, Zhejiang University, China, 2025

Biography

Yuchen earned her Bachelor’s degree in Energy and Environmental System Engineering, and her Master’s degree in Energy and Power Engineering both from Zhejiang University. Her research interests focus on micro/nano scale heat transfer and sustainable energy, including applications in thermal management equipment and green energy system. Currently, she is working on the in-situ optical characterization for phase change heat transfer, together with the clean energy system optimization.

 

 

Antonio Abbatecola

Visiting Graduate Student

aa2844@cornell.edu

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino, Italy, 2019

M.S. in Energy Engineering, University of Padova, Italy, 2022

Ph.D. in Energy Engineering, University of Padova, Italy, on going

Biography

Antonio graduated with honors with an M.S. in Energy Engineering from the University of Padova and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Industrial Engineering at the same institution. His research focuses on thermodynamics and heat and mass transfer, with a particular emphasis on dropwise condensation and thermodynamic systems for both ground and space applications. His expertise also extends to renewable energy technologies, refrigeration systems, and heat pump technologies. In his spare time, he enjoys cultivating his passion for music, photography, and hiking.

 

 

Paranut Aksornsiri

Graduate Student

pa379@cornell.edu

Education

B.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, 2019

Biography

Paranut is a Master of Science student at Cornell University on a scholarship from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). Before joining Cornell, he worked for three years as a mechanical engineer in EGAT’s Power Plant Engineering Division. With a keen interest in green hydrogen production and sustainable energy, he is currently focused on enhancing the efficiency of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. His research aims to improve the mass transport of water and gas bubbles within the porous transport layer, contributing to more energy-efficient hydrogen production.

 

 

Sikai Lei

Graduate Student

sl3527@cornell.edu

Education

B.S.E. in Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute, China, 2024

B.S.E. in Engineering Physics, University of Michigan, USA, 2024

Biography

Sikai completed a dual-degree program at the University of Michigan and Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2024. He is now pursuing a Master of Science degree in Cornell MAE. His research interests include heat transfer, nanoscale semiconductor applications, and MEMS. Currently, he is working on developing an electrical-thermal-mechanical model to quantify temperature rise and thermal stress during the operation of 2D electronics. This work could influence advancements in thermal management strategies for nanoscale devices, improving the reliability and efficiency of 2D electronic systems.

 

 

Suning Yang

Graduate Student

sy829@cornell.edu

Education

B.S. in Engineering Mechanics, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), China, 2024

Biography

Suning joined Cornell University as an MS student in 2024, after earning his B.S. in Engineering Mechanics from China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing) the same year. Prior to joining the ERL, his research mainly focused on multiscale modeling for the thermal transport behavior and mechanical properties of woven composites. Currently, he is working on the modeling and simulation of electrochemical gas evolution reactions.

 

 

Yang Li

Graduate Student

yl4234@cornell.edu

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, 2025

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 2025

Biography

Yang graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Zhejiang University – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Institute in 2025. He is interested in energy systems modeling and optimization, with applications focused on renewable energy integration and sustainability. Currently, he is working on simulating the use of green energy to power large-scale data centers.

 

 

Kaden Steffen

Graduate Student

kjs337@cornell.edu

Education

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, USA, 2024

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Florida, USA, 2024

Biography

Kaden graduated with a B.S. in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida in 2024, and is currently pursuing an M.Eng in Mechanical Engineering. He is interested in heat transfer and design with an application in renewable energy and thermal management. Currently he is working on the design and construction of a pool boiling experimental setup.

 

 

Roman Trujillo

Graduate Student

rt427@cornell.edu

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University, USA, 2024

Biography

Roman graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University in 2024 and is now in the process of an M.Eng in Mechanical Engineering. He is interested in fluid dynamics and thermodynamics, with a focus on cooling systems. Currently he is working on the design and assembly of a thermal vacuum chamber.

 

 

Kayoko Thornton

Undergraduate Student

ket65@cornell.edu

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University, USA, 2026 (expected)

Biography

Kayoko is a junior pursuing a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. She is interested in thermal management and renewable energy systems, with applications focused on energy-efficient technologies. Currently, she is working on the salinity-driven passive cooling project, investigating how saline concentration and multi-stage configurations can enhance cooling performance.

 

 

Kaiyu Li

Visiting Undergraduate Student

kl2256@cornell.edu

Education

B.S. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Tsinghua University, China, 2026 (expected)

B.E. in Energy and Power Engineering, Tsinghua University, China, 2026 (expected)

UCEAP exchange program in Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 2024

Biography

Kaiyu is a third-year undergraduate student at Tsinghua University, pursuing dual degrees in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics and Energy and Power Engineering. His academic interests lie in heat and mass transfer, fluid dynamics, and numerical simulation. Currently, he is investigating the electrochemical gas evolution processes using simulation techniques, aiming to provide deeper insights to enhance the efficiency of energy conversion systems.