Jian Luo

NanoEngineering

Professor

Research Focus
Ceramics and metals, surfaces and interfaces, advanced materials for energy-related applications

Research Summary

Luo’s research group is investigating solid interfaces and their roles in controlling the fabrication and properties of a broad range of ceramic and metallic materials. One of the current research goals is to develop grain boundary “phase” (complexion) diagrams as a new materials science tool (and conceivably a useful component for the “Materials Genome” initiative). Several current research projects are focused on designing and tailoring materials for energy-related applications, including lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, solid ionic conductors, photocatalysts, and a variety of metallic and ceramic materials as well as coatings for applications in nuclear power generation systems and clean coal technologies. Luo’s research interests also include high-temperature alloys, microstructural evolution, nanostructured multilayers and thin films, nanocrystalline alloys, sensors, advanced materials characterization methods, thermodynamic modeling, optical fibers, and a range of other structural and functional ceramics.

Jian Luo
Lab Website
Email:
luo@ucsd.edu

Bio

Jian Luo graduated from Tsinghua University with dual Bachelor's degrees, one in Materials Science and Engineering and another in Electronics and Computer Technology.  He received an M.S. degree in Materials Science and Engineering in 1999, and a Ph.D. degree in Ceramics in 2001, both from M.I.T.  After graduation, Luo worked in the industry with Lucent Technologies and OFS for more than two years, before he joined Clemson University, where he worked as an Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Materials Science and Engineering from 2003 to 2012.  In January 2013, he moved to UCSD as a Professor of NanoEngineering and Materials Science and Engineering.  Luo received a National Science Foundation CAREER award in 2005 (from the ceramics program) and an Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator award in 2007 (from the metallic materials program). He serves as the Chair of the Basic Science Division of the American Ceramic Society (for 2012-2013) and the Chair of the Thin Films and Interfaces committee of TMS (for 2012-2014).