Capabilities
The group combines solid-state manufacturing, multiscale materials characterization, mechanical testing, and computational modeling. Baylor resources and partner facilities support current work in magnesium, large-scale steel manufacturing, and fusion alloys; access depends on each facility and collaboration.
Current projects use friction stir processing, additive friction stir deposition, additive friction surfacing, powder spraying, and related shear-assisted routes to consolidate and deposit metals without bulk melting.
Specific processing equipment and operating arrangements depend on the project and collaborating institution. Contact Dr. Zhang to discuss a suitable research pathway.
Electron microscopy, composition and orientation mapping, and synchrotron-based measurements are used to quantify particle structure, chemistry, size, number density, and microstructural evolution from feedstock through processing.
Measurements may use Baylor resources or partner and user facilities. Instrument access requires the appropriate collaboration, training, scheduling, and approval.
Atomistic calculations resolve oxide interfaces and segregation behavior, while mesoscale process models connect temperature and severe shear strain to particle fragmentation, dispersion, and process optimization.
Model selection and computational resources are matched to the research question and validated against experimental observations.
The current magnesium program connects processing to tensile and creep response at temperatures up to 300 °C, cryogenic behavior down to −196 °C, vacuum thermal cycling, and helium-ion irradiation. Related steel and fusion programs focus on service-relevant structure and performance.
Testing and exposure conditions are project-specific and may rely on partner facilities. Listed capabilities describe the active research program, not unrestricted on-site access.
BRIC is Baylor University’s 330,000-square-foot research facility, with spaces designed for research and advanced prototyping, shared collaboration areas, and access to university research computing.
BRIC is an institutional research environment. Access to a particular facility or instrument depends on Baylor policies, availability, training, and project arrangements.
PONI is an interdisciplinary Baylor center focused on materials, manufacturing, engineering design, logistics, and local on-demand production. Its capabilities span materials processing, testing, and characterization. Professor Zhang is listed among the center’s affiliated faculty.
Professor Zhang is listed on Baylor’s PONI affiliated-faculty page. This affiliation does not imply that the Zhang group owns or has unrestricted access to every instrument associated with the center.