Prof. ZHANG, KailiPhD(NUS), Postdoc(LAAS-CNRS), Postdoc(ETH Zurich)
Professor
Contact InformationOffice:YEUNG-B6616
Phone:+(852)-3442-7845
Email:kaizhang@cityu.edu.hk
Research InterestsNanoenergetics-on-a-chip
Energetic materials
Lithium-ion battery
Supercapacitor
Energy

Education & Work Experience 2020 - present Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
2015 - 2020 Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
2009 - 2015 Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
2008 - 2009 Postdoctoral Fellow, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Switzerland
2006 - 2008 Postdoctoral Researcher, Laboratory for the Analysis and Architecture of Systems, French National Center for Scientific Research (LAAS-CNRS), France
2001 - 2006 PhD, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Some Achievements of StudentsIftikhar Hussain (PhD student): Hong Kong PhD Fellowship 2019.
Belt & Road Scholarship (Research Postgraduate) 2019/2020.

YANG Shaoran (PhD student): Outstanding Academic Performance Award for Research Degree Students, 2016/17.
Research Tuition Scholarship for 1 Sep 2016 to 31 Aug 2017.
Best Paper Award, Annual Conference of Chinese Society of Micro-nano Technology, 2017.
Mustard Seed Foundation Leadership Award, City University of Hong Kong, CityU-Youth Empowerment Project 2016-17.
Second Place Award, the National Final of “Challenge Cup” National College Students Curricular Academic Science and Technology Works Competition 2019.
Silver Award, the National Final of the 5th China College Students’ “Internet +” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition 2019.
Second Prize of Entrepreneurship Proposal (Technology), 5th HK University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition 2019.
Silver Prize, the 8th "Winning in Guangzhou" and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Entrepreneurship Competition for College Students 2019.

ZHANG Qiaobao (PhD student): Institutional Research Tuition Scholarship for 01 Apr 2014 to 31 Mar 2015.
College of Science and Engineering Student Research Excellence Awards 2013/14.
Institutional Research Tuition Scholarship for 1 Sep 2014 to 31 Aug 2015.
Outstanding Academic Performance Award for Research Degree Students, 2013/14.
Institutional Research Tuition Scholarship for 1 Sep 2015 to 31 Aug 2016.
Outstanding Academic Performance Award for Research Degree Students, 2015/16.
Outstanding Research Thesis Award 2016.
Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies Outstanding Doctoral Research Award 2016.

DONG Jichen (PhD student): Hong Kong PhD Fellowship 2013.
Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies Entrance Scholarship 2013.
Outstanding Academic Performance Award for Research Degree Students, 2015/16.
Research Tuition Scholarship for 1 Sep 2015 to 31 Aug 2016.

ZHOU Xiang (PhD student): Institutional Research Tuition Scholarship for 01 Oct 2013 to 30 Sep 2014.
Outstanding Academic Performance Award for Research Degree Students, 2013/14.
Institutional Research Tuition Scholarship for 1 Sep 2014 to 31 Aug 2015.
Outstanding Academic Performance Award for Research Degree Students, 2015/16.

TORABI Mohsen (PhD student): Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies Entrance Scholarship 2012.
Outstanding Academic Performance Award for Research Degree Students, 2012/13.
Research Tuition Scholarship for 01 Oct 2013 to 30 Sep 2014.
Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies Scholarship 2013/14.
Outstanding Academic Performance Award for Research Degree Students, 2013/14.
Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies Scholarship 2014/15.
College of Science and Engineering Student Research Excellence Awards 2014/15.
Outstanding Academic Performance Award for Research Degree Students, 2015/16.
S. Wu, Z. Zhang, M. Lan, S. Yang, J. Cheng, J. Cai, J. Shen, Y. Zhu, K. Zhang*, W. Zhang*, “Lithiophilic Cu-CuO-Ni hybrid structure: advanced current collectors towards stable lithium metal anodes”, Advanced Materials, 1705830, 2018.(Highly cited paper)
Y. Zhu, X. Zhou, J. Xu, X. Ma, Y. Ye, G. Yang*, K. Zhang*, “In situ preparation of explosive embedded CuO/Al/CL20 nanoenergetic composite with enhanced reactivity”, Chemical Engineering Journal, vol. 354, pp. 885-895, 2018.
C. Wu, Y. Zhu, M. Ding, C. Jia*, K. Zhang*, “Fabrication of plate-like MnO2 with excellent cycle stability for supercapacitor electrodes”, Electrochimica Acta, vol. 291, pp. 249-255, 2018. (Highly cited paper)
J. Cai, C. Wu, S. Yang, Y. Zhu, P.K. Sheng*, K. Zhang*, “Templated and catalytic fabrication of N-doped hierarchical porous carbon-carbon nanotubes hybrids as host for lithium–sulfur batteries”, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, vol. 9, pp. 33876-33886, 2017.
S. Yang, C. Wu, J. Cai, Y. Zhu, H. Zhang, Y. Lu, K. Zhang*, “Seed-assisted smart construction of high mass loading Ni–Co–Mn hydroxide nanoflakes for supercapacitor applications”, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, vol. 5, pp. 16776-16785, 2017.
C. Wu, J. Cai, Y. Zhu, K. Zhang*, “Hybrid reduced graphene oxide nanosheet supported Mn-Ni-Co ternary oxides for aqueous asymmetric supercapacitors”, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, vol. 9, pp. 19114-19123, 2017.
J. Cai, C. Wu, Y. Zhu, K. Zhang*, P.K. Sheng*, “Sulfur impregnated N, P co-doped hierarchical porous carbon as cathode for high performance Li-S batteries”, Journal of Power Sources, vol. 341, pp. 165-174, 2017.
Q. Zhang, B. Zhao, J. Wang, C. Qu, H. Sun, K. Zhang*, M. Liu*, “High-performance hybrid supercapacitors based on self-supported 3D ultrathin porous quaternary Zn-Ni-Al-Co oxide nanosheets”, Nano Energy, vol. 28, pp. 475-485, 2016.
C. Wu, S. Yang, J. Cai, Q. Zhang, Y. Zhu, K. Zhang*, “Activated microporous carbon derived from almond shell for high energy density asymmetric supercapacitors”, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, vol. 8, pp. 15288?15296, 2016.
M. Torabi*, K. Zhang, N. Karimi, G.P. Peterson, “Entropy generation in thermal systems with solid structures - A concise review”, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, vol. 97, pp. 917-931, 2016.
Q. Zhang, H. Chen, X. Han, J. Cai, Y. Yang*, M. Liu*, K. Zhang*, “Graphene-encapsulated 3D hierarchical ternary zinc-nickel-cobalt oxide microspheres constructed from highly porous ultrathin nanosheets for enhanced lithium storage”, ChemSusChem, vol. 9, pp. 186-196, 2016. (Front cover)
Q. Zhang, J. Wang, J. Dong, F. Ding, X. Li, B. Zhang*, S. Yang, K. Zhang*, “Facile general strategy toward hierarchical mesoporous metal oxides arrays on three-dimensional macroporous foam with superior lithium storage properties”, Nano Energy, vol. 13, pp. 77-91, 2015.
J. Wang, Q. Zhang, X. Li, B. Zhang*, L. Mai*, K. Zhang*, “Smart construction of three-dimensional hierarchical tubular transition metal oxide core/shell heterostructures with high-capacity and long-cycle-life lithium storage”, Nano Energy, vol. 12, pp. 437-446, 2015.
H. Chen, Q. Zhang, X. Han, M. Liu, Y. Yang*, K. Zhang*, “3D hierarchical porous zinc-nickel-cobalt oxides nanosheets grown on Ni foam as binder-free electrodes for electrochemical energy storage”, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, vol. 3, pp. 24022-24032, 2015.
C. Wu, J. Cai, Q. Zhang, X. Zhou, Y. Zhu, P.K. Sheng*, K. Zhang*, “Hierarchical mesoporous zinc-nickel-cobalt ternary oxide nanowire arrays on nickel foam as high performance electrodes for supercapacitors”, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, vol. 7, pp. 26512-26521, 2015.
M. Torabi*, N. Karimi, K. Zhang, “Heat transfer and second law analyses of forced convection in a channel partially filled by porous media and featuring internal heat sources”, Energy, vol. 93, pp. 106-127, 2015.
M. Torabi*, K. Zhang, “First and second thermodynamic laws analyses between and inside two rotating solid cylindrical geometries with magnetohydrodynamic flow”, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, vol. 89, pp. 760-769, 2015.
M. Torabi*, K. Zhang, “Temperature distribution, local and total entropy generation analyses in MHD porous channels with thick walls”, Energy, vol. 87, pp. 540-554, 2015.
X. Zhou, D. Xu, J. Lu, K. Zhang*, “CuO/Mg/fluorocarbon sandwich-structure superhydrophobic nanoenergetic composite with anti-humidity property”, Chemical Engineering Journal, vol. 266, pp. 163-170, 2015.
Z. Qiao, J. Shen, J. Wang, B. Huang, Z. Yang, G. Yang*, K. Zhang, “Fast deflagration to detonation transition of energetic material based on a quasi-core/shell structured nanothermite composite”, Composites Science and Technology, vol. 107, pp. 113-119, 2015.
M. Torabi*, K. Zhang, “Heat transfer and thermodynamic performance of convective-radiative cooling double layer walls with temperature-dependent thermal conductivity and internal heat generation”, Energy Conversion and Management, vol. 89, pp. 12-23, 2015.
M. Torabi*, K. Zhang, G. Yang, J. Wang, P. Wu, “Heat transfer and entropy generation analyses in a channel partially filled with porous media using local thermal non-equilibrium model”, Energy, vol. 82, pp. 922-938, 2015.
L. Li, Z. Chen*, Q. Zhang, M. Xu, X. Zhou, H. Zhu, K. Zhang*, “A Hydrolysis-Hydrothermal route to synthesis of ultrathin LiAlO₂-inlayed LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂ as high performance cathode material for lithium ion batteries”, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, vol. 3, pp. 894-904, 2015.
J. Dong, K. Zhang*, F. Ding*, “Hydrogenation of bilayer graphene: A small twist makes a big difference”, Nano Research, vol. 8, pp. 3887-3897, 2015.
Q. Zhang, K. Zhang*, D. Xu, G. Yang, H. Huang, F. Nie, C. Liu, S. Yang, “CuO nanostructures: synthesis, characterization, growth mechanisms, fundamental properties, and applications”, Progress in Materials Science, vol. 60, pp. 208-337, 2014. (Highly cited paper)
H. Chen, Q. Zhang, J. Wang, Q. Wang, X. Zhou, X. Li, Y. Yang*, K. Zhang*, “Mesoporous ZnCo₂O₄ microspheres composed of ultrathin nanosheets cross-linked with metallic NiSi_x nanowires on Ni foam as anodes for lithium ion batteries”, Nano Energy, vol. 10, pp. 245-258, 2014.
J. Wang, Q. Zhang, X. Li*, D. Xu, Z. Wang, H. Guo, K. Zhang*, “Three-dimensional hierarchical Co₃O₄/CuO nanowire heterostructure arrays on nickel foam for high-performance lithium ion batteries”, Nano Energy, vol. 6, pp. 19-26, 2014.
X. Zhou, M. Torabi, J. Lu, R. Shen, K. Zhang*, “Nanostructured energetic composites: synthesis, ignition/combustion modeling, and applications”, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, vol. 6, pp. 3058?3074, 2014.
X. Zhou, D. Xu, G. Yang, Q. Zhang, J. Shen, K. Zhang*, “Highly exothermic and superhydrophobic Mg/fluorocarbon core/shell nanoenergetic arrays”, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, vol. 6, pp. 10497-10505, 2014.
Q. Zhang, D. Xu, X. Zhou, X. Wu, K. Zhang*, “In situ synthesis of CuO and Cu nanostructures with promising electrochemical and wettability properties”, Small, vol. 10, pp. 935-943, 2014. (Top 10 hot articles in Small in Nov-Dec 2013 highlighted by MaterialsViews)
Q. Zhang, H. Chen, J. Wang, D. Xu, X. Li, Y. Yang*, K. Zhang*, “Growth of hierarchical three-dimensional mesoporous NiSi_x/NiCo₂O₄ core/shell heterostructures on nickel foam for high performance lithium-ion batteries”, ChemSusChem, vol. 7, pp. 2325-2334, 2014.
H. Chen, Q. Zhang, J. Wang, D. Xu, X. Li, Y. Yang*, K. Zhang*, “Improved lithium ion battery performance by mesoporous Co₃O₄ nanosheets grown on self-standing NiSi_x nanowires on nickel foam”, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, vol. 2, pp. 8483-8490, 2014.
Q. Zhang, J. Wang, D. Xu, Z. Wang*, X. Li, K. Zhang*, “Facile large-scale synthesis of vertically aligned CuO nanowires on nickel foam: growth mechanism and remarkable electrochemical performance”, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, vol. 2, pp. 3865-3874, 2014.
M. Torabi*, K. Zhang, G. Yang, J. Wang, P. Wu, “Temperature distribution, local and total entropy generation analyses in asymmetric cooling composite geometries with multiple nonlinearities; Effect of imperfect thermal contact Energy”, Energy, vol. 78, pp. 218-234, 2014.
M. Torabi*, K. Zhang, “Multi-dimensional dual-phase-lag heat conduction in cylindrical coordinates: Analytical and numerical solutions”, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, vol. 78, pp. 960-966, 2014.
M. Torabi*, K. Zhang, “Temperature distribution and classical entropy generation analyses in an asymmetric cooling composite hollow cylinder with temperature dependent thermal conductivity and internal heat generation”, Energy, vol. 73, 484-496, 2014.
M. Torabi*, K. Zhang, “Classical entropy generation analysis in cooled homogenous and functionally graded material slabs with variation of internal heat generation with temperature, and convective-radiative boundary conditions”, Energy, vol. 65, pp. 387-397, 2014.
J. Shen, Z. Qiao, J. Wang, K. Zhang, R. Li, G. Yang*, F. Nie, “Pressure loss and compensation in the combustion process of Al-CuO nanoenergetics on a microheater chip”, Combustion and Flame, vol. 161, pp. 2975-2981, 2014.
X. Zhou, D. Xu, Q. Zhang, J. Lu, K. Zhang*, “Facile green in situ synthesis of Mg/CuO core/shell nanoenergetic arrays with a superior heat-release property and long-term storage stability”, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, vol. 5, pp. 7641?7646, 2013.
M. Torabi*, A. Aziz, K. Zhang, “A comparative study of longitudinal fins of rectangular, trapezoidal and concave parabolic profiles with multiple nonlinearities”, Energy, vol. 51, pp. 243-256, 2013.
D. Xu, Y. Yang, H. Cheng, Y. Li, K. Zhang*, “Integration of nano-Al with Co₃O₄ nanorods to realize high-exothermic core-shell nanoenergetic materials on a silicon substrate”, Combustion and Flame, vol. 159, pp. 2202-2209, 2012.
S.K. Chou*, W.M. Yang, K.J. Chua, J. Li, K. Zhang, “Development of micro power generators – a review”, Applied Energy, vol. 88, pp. 1-16, 2011.(Highly cited paper)
K. Zhang*, Y. Yang, E. Pun, R. Shen, “Local and CMOS-compatible synthesis of CuO nanowires on a suspended microheater on a silicon substrate”, Nanotechnology, vol. 21, 235602, 2010. (Featured article as Nanotechnology cover story; Highlighted in Nanotechweb)
K. Zhang*, C. Rossi, C. Tenailleau, P. Alphonse, “Aligned three-dimensional prism-like magnesium nanostructures realized onto silicon substrate”, Applied Physics Letters, vol. 92, 063123, 2008.
K. Zhang*, C. Rossi, P. Alphonse, C. Tenailleau, “Synthesis of NiO nanowalls by thermal treatment of Ni thin film deposited onto a stainless steel substrate”, Nanotechnology, vol. 19, 155605, 2008.
K. Zhang*, C. Rossi, M. Petrantoni, N. Mauran, “A nano initiator realized by integrating Al/CuO-based nanoenergetic materials with a Au/Pt/Cr microheater”, Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, vol. 17, pp. 832-836, 2008.
K. Zhang*, C. Rossi, C. Tenailleau, P. Alphonse, G. Rodriguez, “Development of a nano Al/CuO based energetic material on silicon substrate”, Applied Physics Letters, vol. 91, 113117, 2007.
K. Zhang*, C. Rossi, C. Tenailleau, P. Alphonse, J. Ching, “Synthesis of large-area and aligned copper oxide nanowires from copper thin film on silicon substrate”, Nanotechnology, vol. 18, 275607, 2007.
C. Rossi*, K. Zhang*, D. Esteve, P. Alphonse, P. Tailhades, C. Vahlas, “Nano energetic materials for MEMS: a review”, Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, vol. 16, pp. 919-931, 2007.
K. Zhang*, S.K. Chou, S.S. Ang, “Fabrication, modeling and testing of a thin film Au/Ti microheater”, International Journal of Thermal Sciences, vol. 46, pp. 580-588, 2007.
K. Zhang*, S.K. Chou, S.S. Ang, “Performance prediction of a novel solid-propellant microthruster”, Journal of Propulsion and Power, vol. 22, pp. 56-63, 2006.
K. Zhang*, S.K. Chou, S.S. Ang, “Development of a low temperature co-fired ceramic solid propellant microthruster”, Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, vol. 15, pp. 944-952, 2005.
K. Zhang*, S.K. Chou, S.S. Ang, X.S. Tang, “A MEMS-based solid propellant microthruster with Au/Ti igniter”, Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, vol. 122, pp. 113-123, 2005.
Last modified on 26 November 2021