Fu Zhao, professor of Environmental and Ecological Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, recently received the Kos Ishii-Toshiba Award from The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Dr. Zhao received this award for sustained and meritorious contributions to design for manufacturing and life-cycle assessment (LCA). He was elected a fellow of ASME in 2018.

Fu Zhao (right) accepting award with William Bernstein (Left), Branch Technical Advisor-Digital Manufacturing & Supply Chain for Air Force Research Laboratory  
 

Zhao’s research focuses on environmentally sustainable design and manufacturing. Since 2013, he has led the LCA efforts for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Critical Materials Institute. In addition to receiving support from industry, Zhao’s research has been supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). He has published more than 120 journal papers and over 50 conference proceedings. Dr. Zhao served as the co-chair and subsequently chair of the ASME Design for Manufacturing and Life Cycle Technical Committee (DFMLC) from 2016 to 2017.

“I am extremely honored to receive this award, and grateful to the many people who have guided me throughout my career. I would like to thank my advisor, Professor Steven Skerlos (University of Michigan), for thoroughly preparing me for a faculty career; Professor Karthik Ramani (Donald W. Feddersen Distinguished Professor of Purdue School of Mechanical Engineering), who introduced me to the design for manufacturing and life-cycle community; Professor John Sutherland (Fehsenfeld Family Head of Purdue Environmental and Ecological Engineering), who is always there when I need suggestions; Professor Carol Handwerker (Reinhardt Schuhmann Jr. Professor of Purdue Materials Engineering and Environmental and Ecological Engineering), who facilitates my connections with potential sponsors; and my students, whose hard work makes everything possible."

Regarding his current joint appointment in Purdue Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Zhao says, “I’m grateful for the collaborative opportunities that EEE helps to develop. Many of my research ideas were fostered by discussions with EEE faculty and students.”

Congratulations, Dr. Zhao!