June 10, 2026
By Tracie Troha
Zhuomin Zhang, J. Erskine Love, Jr. Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, has been awarded the 2026 James Harry Potter Gold Medal by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). This award recognizes eminent achievement or distinguished service in the science of thermodynamics and its applications in mechanical engineering.
Zhang joins a select group of past recipients whose work has shaped modern understanding of energy systems and thermal sciences. The medal is considered one of the most prestigious awards presented by ASME.
“I feel deeply honored to be listed alongside distinguished scholars in the field of thermodynamics research and education, including some of my own teachers and mentors,” Zhang said.
ASME recognized Zhang for his “pioneering study of radiative thermal power generation and electroluminescent refrigeration, especially on the application of second-law analysis to these systems while accounting for photon entropy and chemical potential.”
Zhang is director of the Nanoscale Thermal Radiation Laboratory and a pioneering researcher in nanoscale thermal radiation. His work explores advanced semiconductor devices that generate electricity or provide cooling through thermal radiation and light, without the need for moving mechanical parts.
“Entropy is the cornerstone of irreversible thermodynamics, and entropy analysis plays an essential role in optimizing thermal systems such as power, refrigeration, and desalination cycles,” he said.
Zhang’s research examines how these thermodynamic principles apply to emerging semiconductor devices for power generation and cooling. His work also advanced the understanding of electroluminescent refrigeration, which uses the same principles as light-emitting diodes to provide optical cooling.
“A fundamental understanding of the advantages and limitations of these devices requires us to perform thermodynamic analysis of individual systems where photon entropy and chemical potential must be taken into consideration,” Zhang said. “Our recent studies on the second-law analysis of thermoradiative power generation and electroluminescent refrigeration may pave the way for further advancement in this emerging field.”
Zhang credited much of the achievement to the students and research community at Woodruff School.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have exceptional students and a dedicated support team within the Woodruff School,” he said. “Much of the work related to this award was done by my recent graduates and current students. I enjoyed working with all of them to understand the fundamentals that could have a significant impact on future technology development. Some of these research results have also been shared with students in teaching thermodynamics and nanoscale heat transfer courses.”
Zhang will formally receive the award in July during the ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference in Bellevue, Washington.