Materials Processing (Nanofabrication): Fabrication and characterization of thin films and nanoparticles using laser-induced solution deposition (LISD), organometallic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), sputtering and focused ion beam deposition and lithography as well as physical metallurgy.
Magnetic Materials and Devices: Interested in magnetic materials in general, particularly in colossal magnetoresistance materials such as perovskites Ln1-xAxMnO3 (Ln = rare earth, A = divalent metals) and other magnetic oxides such as chromium oxides; developing spin dependent (magnetic-controlled) devices such as spin tunnel junctions and spin valves made from these materials, developing high-resolution novel magnetic sensors in chemical and other MEMS systems.

Nanoparticle Catalysts: Exploration of both basic and applied aspects of magneto-chemistry of nano-particle Fe/Cu and Co/Cu catalysts used for the conversion of CO/CO2/H2 to liquid fuels and mixed alcohols. Enhance our understanding of the relationships between catalytic and magnetic properties of nano-particle catalysts Fe/Cu and Co/Cu and shed light on the basic mechanisms to help in the design of efficient catalysts for CO/CO2 hydrogenation.

Publications

1. Z.C. Zhong, V. Holmes, P.A. Dowben and D.J. Sellmyer, "Metal Boride Cathode Materials Fabricated by Selective Area Laser Induced Solution Deposition Boride", presented (to be published in Proceedings as Volume 558 of the Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings Series ) at MRS Spring Meeting (1999), San Francisco, CA, April 5 - 9, 1999.

2. Z.C. Zhong, P.A. Dowben and D.J. Sellmyer, "Selective-Area-Laser-Induced Deposition of Rare-earth Hexaborides from Solution", Materials Letter, 37 (1998), 320

3. Z.C. Zhong, X.Y. Jiang and A.L. Greer, "Nanocrystallization in Al-based Amorphous Alloy", Phil. Mag. B, 76 (1997) 505.

4. Z.C. Zhong, X.Y. Jiang and A.L. Greer, "Microstructure and Hardening of Al-based Nanophase Composites", Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 226 (1997) 531. Patents: 1) Method for Depositing Rare-Earth Boride onto a Substrate; United States Patent: 6,025,038 (February 16, 2000) 2) Rare-Earth Boride Thin Film System; United States Patent: 6,077,617 (June 20, 2000)