Dr. Peng Zhang

Associate Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Peng Zhang. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

Zhang’s research spans a wide range of topics including electrical contacts, thin films, quantum diodes, space-charge-limited current flows, beam-circuit interactions, multipactor breakdown phenomena, z-pinches, and laser-plasma interactions. His work has focused on plasma-surface interaction, ultrafast electron emission, quantum transport, and novel high-power, high-frequency radiation sources. He comes from the Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences (NERS) at Michigan State University, where he served as an associate professor from 2021 to 2024 and assistant professor from 2016 to 2021. Zhang received his Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences in 2012 under the supervision of Professor Y. Lau.

Research Interests

Plasma Beams Interface Science High Power Electromagnetics Nanoelectronics Quantum Devices Ultrafast Phenomena Novel Light Sources Particle Accelerators Plasma-Surface Interaction RF Discharge Plasma Breakdown Electron Emission Physics Electrical Contacts Nanoscale Charge Transport Electron Beam Interaction Laser Plasma Interaction QED Effects

Awards

#2020

IEEE Nuclear & Plasma Sciences Society Early Achievement Award

#2020

Young Investigator Program Award, Office of Naval Research

#2018

Young Investigator Program Award, Air Force Office of Scientific Research

#2012

IEEE Nuclear Plasma Sciences Graduate Scholarship Award

#2011

Richard and Eleanor Towner Prize for Outstanding Ph.D. Research

#2011

Rackham Presidential Fellowship Award

Requirements for University of Michigan

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Total
Required:84
GRE General
Verbal
Required:155
Verbal Percentile
Required:50
Quantitative
Required:168
Quantitative Percentile
Required:50
Analytical Writing
Required:3.6
Writing Percentile
Required:50
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree in engineering, physics, or mathematics Calculus Physics
Application Checklist
  • Rackham Graduate School Application
  • Official Transcripts
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal Statement
  • CV/Resume
Specialization Notes

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science