Faculty Directory

Hu, Liangbing

Hu, Liangbing

Distinguished University Professor
Director, Center for Materials Innovation
R&D 100 Award (2022, 2021, 2020, 2018)
Fellow of MRS (Class of 2022)
Materials Science and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Maryland Energy Innovation Institute
2330C Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building

BRIEF BIO

Liangbing Hu received his B.S. in physics from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in 2002, where he worked on colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) materials for three years. He did his Ph.D. (2002-2007) at University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), focusing on carbon-nanotube-based nanoelectronics. In 2006, he co-founded Unidym Inc. and led the development of roll-to-roll printed carbon nanotube films and device integration in touch screens, LCDs, flexible OLDEs, and solar cells. He did his postdoc at Stanford University from 2009 to 2011, where he worked on various energy storage technologies using nanomaterials. Currently, he is a Distinguished University Professor at University of Maryland, College Park. His research group focuses on materials innovations, device integration, and manufacturing, with ongoing research activities on electrified ultrahigh-temperature synthesis, energy storage beyond Li-ion batteries, and novel wood nanotechnologies. Dr. Hu has published >450 research papers (including >10 Science and Nature) and is an inventor with 25 issued patents and 45 patent applications. He co-founded multiple startups based on technologies out of his research group.

EDUCATION

  • Ph.D. (2007) in Physics, University of California, Los Angeles
  • B.S. (2002) in Physics, University of Science and Technology of China 

HONORS AND AWARDS

PATENTS (25 issued and 45 applications)

  • L. Hu, C. Wang, "Inverted Battery Devices, and Systems and Methods for Use Thereof", U.S. Patent No. 11,724,024.
  • L. Hu, E. D. Wachsman, B. Liu, L. Zhang, S. Xu, D. McOwen, C. Yang, "Lithium Battery", U.S. Patent No. 11,569,527.
  • L. Hu, M. Zhu, Y. Li, C. Chen, T. Li, H. Liu, A. Gong, Y. Kuang, "Wood-based Solar Thermal Devices, and Methods for Fabrication and Use Thereof", U.S. Patent No. 11,578,894.
  • L. Hu, T. Li, C. Yang, X. Zhang, R. M. Briber, M. Wu, "Ion-conducting Structures, Devices including Ion-conducting Structures, and Methods for Use and Fabrication Thereof", U.S. Patent No. 11,374,255.
  • L. Hu, Y. Chen, Y. Yao, "Nanoparticles and Systems and Methods for Synthesizing Nanoparticles Through Thermal Shock", U.S. Patent No. 11,369,929.
  • Y. Yao, L. Hu, "Thermal Shock Synthesis of Multielement Nanoparticles", U.S. Patent No. 11,193,191.
  • L. Hu, M. Zhu, J. Song, "Stong and Tough Structural Wood Materials, and Methods for Fabricating and Use Thereof", U.S. Patent No. 11,130,256.
  • L. Hu, E. D. Wachsman, Y. Gong, K. Fu, W. Luo, C. Wang, "Metal Alloy Layers on Substrates, Methods of Making Same, and Uses Thereof", U.S. Patent No. 11,043,696.
  • L. Hu, Z. Fang, H. Zhu, "Scalable, Highly Transparent Paper with Microsized Fiber", U.S. Patent No. 10,982,390.
  • L. Hu, X. Han, E. D. Wachsman, Y. Mo, "Interfacial Layers for Solid-state Batteries and Methods of Making Same", U.S. Patent No. 10,971,761.
  • L. Hu, F. Chen, A. Gong, "Membranes and Methods of Use Thereof", U.S. Patent No. 10,940,444.
  • A. C. Kozen, M. A. Schroeder, G. W. Rubloff, L. Hu, M. Noked, S. Lee, "Protection Layers for Metal Anodes", U.S. Patent No. 10,826,065.
  • E. D. Wachsman, L. Hu, V. Thangadurai, "Ion Conducting Batteries with Solid State Electrolyte Materials", U.S. Patent No. 10,622,666.
  • L. Hu, Z. Fang, H. Zhu, "Super Clear Cellulose Paper", U.S. Patent No. 10,480,126.
  • L. Hu, Y. Yao, T. Li, "Transparent Hybrid Substrates, Devices Employing such Substrates, and Methods for Fabrication and Use Thereof", U.S. Patent No. 10,411,222.
  • L. Hu, J. Choi, Y. Yangy, Y. Cui, "Conductive Fibrous Materials", U.S. Patent No. 9,138,965.
  • S. Jeong, L. Hu, Y. Cui, "Method for Forming a Nano-textured Substrate", U.S. Patent No. 8,999,857.
  • L. Cui, Y. Cui, L. Hu, "Nanotube-based Nanomaterial Membrane", U.S. Patent No. 8,974,967.
  • Y. Yang, L. Hu, Y. Cui, S. Jeong, "Transparent Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices", U.S. Patent No. 8,956,757.
  • Y. Cui, H. Wu, L. Hu, "Electrodes with Electrospun Fibers", U.S. Patent No. 8,940,194.
  • L. Hu, D. Hecht, J. Jue, G. Gruner, "Compliant and Nonplanar Nanostructure Films", U.S. Patent No. 8,815,346.
  • Y. Park, G. Gruner, L. Hu, "Transparent and Conductive Nanostructure-film Pixel Electrode and Method of Making the Same", U.S. Patent No. 8,785,939.
  • L. Hu, G. Gruner, "Touch Screen Devices Employing Nanostructure Networks", U.S. Patent No. 8,390,589.
  • G. Gruner, D. Hecht, L. Hu, "Method of Producing a Graphene Film as Transparent and Electrically Conducting Material", U.S. Patent No. 7,785,557.
  • G. Gruner, L. Hu, D. Hecht, "Graphene Film as Transparent and Electrically Conducting Material", U.S. Patent No. 7,449,133.

  • Wood nanoscience and nanotechnologies, various engineered wood such as super wood, transparent wood, moldable wood, and insulating wood
  • Ultrahigh temperature processes and their use for non-equilibrium synthesis (shock synthesis)
  • High entropy catalysts
  • Ionic materials and technologies
  • Solid state batteries
  • Roll-to-roll printed electronics and flexible electronics

Dr. Hu is currently leading various projects funded by DOE-ARPA_E, DOE-EERE, NSF, DARPA, and industry partners.

Professor Hu teaches "Nanotechnology for Energy: Principles, Materials and Devices" at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Professor Hu is also active in mentoring and outreach activities, including serving as an advisor to a Gemstone honors program team, hosting visits from high school students in Women In Engineering's LEAD Academy summer program, a partnership with Wheaton High School to create summer internships and new science lessons, and talking to visitors of all ages about materials science at Maryland Day.

​​​​​​Google Scholar

  • Xie, H.; Liu, N.; Zhang, Q.; Zhong, H.; Guo, L.; Zhao, X.; Li, D.; Liu, S.; Huang, Z.; Lele, A.; Brozena, A.; Wang, X.; Song, K.; Chen, S.; Yao, Y.; Chi, M.; Xiong, W.; Rao, J.; Zhao, M.; Shneider, M.; Luo, J.; Zhao, J.; Ju, Y.; Hu, L.* A Stable Atmospheric Pressure Plasma for Extreme-Temperature Synthesis, Nature, 2023.

  • Zhao, X.; Li, T.; Xie, H.; Liu, H.; Wang, L.; Qu, Y.; Li, S.; Liu, S.; Brozena, A.; Yu, Z.; Srebric, J.; Hu, L.* A Solution-Processed Radiative Cooling Glass, Science, 2023, 382, 684.

  • Dong, Q.; Dilip Lele, A.; Zhao, X.; Li, S.; Cheng, S.; Wang, Y.; Cui, M.; Guo, M.; Brozena, A.H.; Lin, Y.; Li, T.; Xu, L.; Qi, A.; Kevrekidis, I.; Mei, J.; Pan, X.; Liu, D.; Ju, Y.;  Hu, L.* Depolymerization of Plastics via Electrified Spatiotemporal Heating, Nature, 2023, 616, 488.

  • Dong, Q.; Yao, Y.; Cheng, S.; Alexopoulos, K.; Gao, J.; Srinivas, S.; Yang, Y.; Pei, Y.; Zheng, C.;  Brozena, A.H.; Zhao, H.; Wang, X.; Toraman, H.; Yang, B.;  Kevrekidis, I.; Ju, Y.; Vlachos, D.; Liu, D.; Hu, L.* Programmable Heating and Quenching for Efficient Thermochemical Synthesis. Nature, 2022, 605, 470.  (COVER)

  • Yao, Y.; Dong, Q.; Brozena, A.; Luo, J.; Miao, J.; Chi, M.; Wang, C.; Kevrekidis, I.; Ren, J.; Greeley, J.; Wang, G.; Anapolsky, A.; Hu, L.* High Entropy Nanoparticles: Synthesis-Structure-Property Relationships and Data-Driven Accelerated Discovery, Science, 2022, 376, eabn3102.

  • Yang, C.; Wu, Q.; Xie, W.; Zhang, X.;  Brozena, A.; Zheng, J.; Garage, M.N.; Ko, B.; Mao, Y.; He, S.; Gao, Y.; Wang, P.; Tyagi, M.; Jiao, F.; Briber, R.; Albertus, P.; Wang, C.; Greenbaum, S.; Hu, Y.; Isogai, A.; Winter, M.; Xu, K.; Qi, Y.; Hu, L.* Copper-Coordinated Cellulose Ion Conductors for Solid-State Batteries, Nature, 2021, 598, 590.

  • Xiao, S; Chen, C.; Xia, Q.; Liu, Y.; Yao, Y.; Chen, Q.; Hartsfield, M.; Brozena, A.; Tu, K.; Eichhorn, S.J.; Yao, Y.; Li. J.; Gan, W.; Shi, S.; Yang, V.; Ricco, M.; Zhu, Y.; Burgert, I.; Luo, A.; Li, T.;  Hu, L.* Lightwight, Strong, Modldable Wood via Cell Wall Engineering as a Sustainable Structural Material, Science, 2021, 374, 465. (COVER

  • Li, T.; Chen, C.; Brozena, A.; Zhu, J.; Xu, L.; Driemeier, C.; Dai, J.; Rojas, O.; Isogai, A.; Wagberg, L.; Hu, L.* Developing Fibrillated Cellulose as a Sustainable Technological Material, Nature, 2021, 590, 47.

  • Wang, C.; Ping, W.; Bai, Q.; Cui, H.; Hensleigh, R.; Wang, R.; Brozena, A., Xu, Z.; Dai, J.; Pei, Y.; Zheng, C.; Pastel, G.; Gao, J.; Wang, X.; Wang, H.; Zhao, J.; Yang, B.; Luo, J.; Zheng, X.; Mo, Y.; Dunn, B.; Hu, L.* A General Method to Synthesize and Sinter Bulk Ceramics in Seconds, Science, 2020, 268 (6490), 521-526. (COVER)

  • Li, T.; Zhai, Y.; He, S.; Gan, W.; Wei, Z.; Heidarinejad, M.; Dalgo, D.; Mi, R.; Zhao, X.; Song, J.; Dai, J.; Chen, C.; Aili, A.; Vellore, A.; Martini, A.; Yang, R.; Srebric, J.; Yin, X.; Hu, L.* A Radiative Cooling Structural Material. Science, 2019, 364 (6442), 760.

  • Yao, Y.; Huang, Z.; Xie, P.; Lacey, S.; Jacob, R.; Xie, H.; Chen, F.; Nie, A.; Pu, T.; Rehwoldt, M.; Yu, D.; Zachariah, M.; Wang, C.; Shahbazian-Yassar R.; Li, J.; Hu, L.* Carbothermal Shock Synthesis of High-Entropy-Alloy Nanoparticles. Science, 2018, 359 (6383), 1489 (COVER).

  • Song, J.; Chen, C.; Zhu, S.; Zhu, M.; Dai, J.; Ray, U.; Li, Y.; Kuang, Y.; Li, Y.; Quyispe, N.; Yao, Y.; Gong, A.; Leiste, U.H.; Bruck, H.A.; Zhu, J.Y.; Vellore, A.; Martini, A.; Li, T.; Hu, L.* Processing Bulk Natural Wood into a High-Performance Structural Materials. Nature, 2018, 554 (7691), 224.

 

Wood That Can Cut Like Steel, Be Molded Like Plastic or Build Batteries?

Maryland engineers discover more new dimensions of an ancient material.

Convocation to Shine Spotlight on Faculty, Staff Accomplishments

Six Clark School faculty and staff will be honored at UMD's 38th annual Convocation on Sept. 15, 2021.

Maryland Engineering ranked #12 public undergraduate program in the country

For the third consecutive year, the Clark School's rises in U.S. News & World Report ranking.

Li Wins NSF Grant to Study High-Performance Cellulose Materials

Bioderived cellulose could be used in vehicles, construction.

New, superfast method for ceramic manufacturing could open door to AI-driven materials discovery

UMD engineers have reinvented a 26,000-year-old manufacturing process into an innovative approach to fabricating ceramic materials.

Building a Better, Eco-Friendlier Straw

Newly-published UMD research details a potential breakthrough

Thin Wood Film Amplifies Speaker Technology

UMD study published in Nature Communications.

Li Member of UMD Invention of the Year Award Winning Team

Awards honor inventions with potential for transformative impact on science, society, and the free market.

Wood-based Technology Creates Electricity from Heat

Briber, Das and Hu make novel heat-conversion membrane

Clark School Faculty Members Named Highly Cited Researchers

Hu, Wang demonstrated significant influence through publication of multiple highly cited papers during the last decade.

"Super Wood" wins multiple awards

Professors Hu and Li receive over $3.6M in funding

2018 ARPA-E Summit to Showcase UMD Innovations

UMD Energy Innovation Technologies dominate

Super Wood Could Replace Steel

A new process could make wood as strong as titanium alloy but lighter and cheaper

Wood filter removes toxic dye from water

Hu, Das flow water through wood in new use of natural materials

DOE Awards $1.25M to UMERC Researchers to Develop Safer, Better Batteries

The Department of Energy awards UMD research on safer, better Lithium-ion battery technology as part of a $137 million investment in vehicle efficiency.

Surface Physics driven Nanomanufacturing opens up new possibilities of synthesizing Metal Chalcogenides Nanostructures

Assistant Professor Siddhartha Das publishes joint research outlining new method to synthesize Metal Chalcogenides Nanostructures.

CREB Kicks Off its Research and Innovation Seed Grant Program

Collaboration between UMD, NIST, and ARL facilitated by seed grant from the Center for Research in Extreme Batteries.

Small Can Be Strong and Tough

The smaller the cellulose fibers, the stronger and tougher the paper they make, to UMD researchers’ surprise

Saving Energy with ‘Personal HVAC Systems’

UMD awarded more than $5 million by ARPA-E to fund potentially transformational research.

Li and Hu Awarded NSF Grant to Study Challenges in Creating Materials that are Both Stronger and Tougher

NSF funds new research to tackle tough challenge in material design.

NSF Grants for Graphene Research Awarded to Hu, Rubloff

Research at the nano-scale nets university over half-million dollars in funding

UMD Energy Innovations Featured Prominently in the News

Clark School energy research, including solid oxide fuel cells and wood battery, featured in variety of mainstream media outlets.

A Battery Made of Wood?

Wood fibers help nano-scale batteries keep their structure

UMD Scientists and Engineers Present Papers at American Chemical Society Meeting

Exploring “the chemistry of energy and food” … and more

Flexible Nanopaper Featured in Chemical & Engineering News

ACS Newsmagazine reports innovation in nanoscale technology