Peng Zhang of Michigan State University will receive the 2020 Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society (NPSS) Early Achievement Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). Only one award is presented internationally each year.
Zhang is an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering in the College of Engineering. He is being honored "for pioneering contributions in the theory of electrical contact resistance, and in the physics of diodes in the ultrafast and nano-scale regimes, including electron emission mechanisms and transport."
The Early Achievement Award recognizes outstanding contributions within the first 10 years of an individual's career in any of the fields making up nuclear and plasma sciences. The award will be presented virtually at the International Conference on Plasma Science (ICOPS 2020) in December.
MSU Foundation Professor John Papapolymerou, chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, called the award a great honor and recognition of Dr. Zhang's outstanding early career contributions.
"It speaks volumes for his potential for significant scientific and technological achievements in the future. We are so proud of Dr. Zhang and the impact his work has had at MSU and throughout the world," Papapolymerou added.
Zhang joined MSU in 2016. His research interests are in theory and modeling of nanoelectronics, electromagnetic fields and waves, plasmas, and accelerator technology.
Other recent recognitions include a 2020 Young Investigator Program (YIP) Award from the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR), and 2018 YIP Award from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR).
Zhang received a PhD (2012) and a master's degree (2010) in nuclear engineering and radiological sciences from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. He also has a master's degree (2008) in microelectronics and bachelor's degree in electrical and electronic engineering (2006) from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.