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Kathy Lu

Professor

 

Academic interests

  • Polymer derived ceramics and composites
  • Materials degradation in harsh environments
  • Machine learning and simulation in materials processing
  • Data-driven materials processing and characterization
  • Materials synthesis, processing, characterization, and fundamental studies
  • Composites, hybrids, functional and structural materials, porous materials
  • Ultra-high surface area materials
  • Coatings for harsh environments and long-term uses

Honors and awards

  • 2023: The American Ceramic Society’s Arthur L. Friedberg Ceramic Engineering Tutorial and Lecture Award
  • 2022-27: Board of Trustees of the Science Museum of Virginia, governor's appointee
  • 2022 : Fellow, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS)
  • 2022: Editorial Review Board Member, International Materials Reviews
  • 2021-22: Board of Directors, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society
  • 2020: VEBELO Scientist Award
  • 2020: Fellow, Executive Leadership in Academic Technology, Engineering and Science (ELATES)
  • 2020: Fulbright Distinguished Chair Award
  • 2017: Fellow, American Ceramic Society
  • 2015: Virginia Tech Alumni Award for Research Excellence
  • 2015: Associate Editor, Journal of the American Ceramic Society
  • 2018-22: JOM Journal advisor and guest editor
  • 2014: Editorial review board, Frontiers in Energy Research, fuel cells section
  • 2012: College of Engineering Faculty Fellow Award, Virginia Tech
  • 2011: Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
  • 2008: Karl Schwartzwalder Professional Achievement in Ceramic Engineering Award, American Ceramic Society
  • 2005: Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award, Oak Ridge Associated Universities
  • 2001: P/M Metallography Competition Award, APMI International

Professional affiliations

  • The American Ceramic Society
  • Materials Research Society
  • The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS)
  • American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society 


Education

  • B.S., ceramics, Tianjin University, China
  • M.S., ceramics, Tianjin University, China
  • M.S., materials science and engineering, Ohio State University
  • Ph.D., materials science and engineering, Ohio State University

Publications | Research Group