Faculty Profile

Weihuan Zhao

Title
Assistant Professor
Department
Mechanical Engineering
College
College of Engineering

    

Education

PhD, Lehigh University, 2013.
Major: Mechanical Engineering

Current Scheduled Teaching*

No current or future courses scheduled.

* Texas Education Code 51.974 (HB 2504) requires each institution of higher education to make available to the public, a syllabus for undergraduate lecture courses offered for credit by the institution.

Previous Scheduled Teaching*

MEET 3990.001, Applied Thermodynamics, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 5000.002, Energy : The Fundamentals, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 2110.002, Engineering Data Analysis, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 2210.001, Thermodynamics I, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 4810.017, Topics in Mechanical & Energy Engineering, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
MEET 3940.001, Fluid Mechanics Applications, Summer 10W 2022 Syllabus SPOT
MEET 3940.101, Fluid Mechanics Applications, Summer 10W 2022 Syllabus SPOT
MEET 4360.001, Experimental Thermal Sciences, Spring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
MEET 4360.101, Experimental Thermal Sciences, Spring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 5950.732, Masters Thesis, Spring 2022
MEEN 3110.001, Thermodynamics II, Spring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
MEET 3990.001, Applied Thermodynamics, Fall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
MEET 3990.002, Applied Thermodynamics, Fall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 5890.732, Directed Study in Mechanical & Energy Engineering, Fall 2021
MEEN 5950.732, Masters Thesis, Fall 2021
MEEN 2210.001, Thermodynamics I, Fall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 2210.003, Thermodynamics I, Fall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 5890.732, Directed Study in Mechanical & Energy Engineering, Summer 10W 2021
MEEN 5890.732, Directed Study in Mechanical & Energy Engineering, Spring 2021
MEEN 5950.732, Masters Thesis, Spring 2021
MEEN 2210.001, Thermodynamics I, Spring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 3110.001, Thermodynamics II, Spring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 6950.732, Doctoral Dissertation, Fall 2020
MEEN 5950.732, Masters Thesis, Fall 2020
MEEN 2210.001, Thermodynamics I, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 2210.002, Thermodynamics I, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 6950.715, Doctoral Dissertation, Summer 10W 2020
MEEN 5890.732, Directed Study in Mechanical & Energy Engineering, Spring 2020
MEEN 6950.732, Doctoral Dissertation, Spring 2020
MEEN 5940.003, Graduate Seminar in Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Spring 8W2 2020
MEEN 5950.732, Masters Thesis, Spring 2020
MEEN 2210.001, Thermodynamics I, Spring 2020 Syllabus
MEEN 2210.002, Thermodynamics I, Spring 2020 Syllabus
MEEN 6950.732, Doctoral Dissertation, Fall 2019
MEEN 5950.732, Masters Thesis, Fall 2019
MEEN 2210.001, Thermodynamics I, Fall 2019 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 2210.002, Thermodynamics I, Fall 2019 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 5890.732, Directed Study in Mechanical & Energy Engineering, Summer 10W 2019
MEEN 6940.712, Individual Research, Summer 5W2 2019
MEEN 4900.718, Special Problems in Mechanical & Energy Engineering, Summer 10W 2019
MEEN 5890.732, Directed Study in Mechanical & Energy Engineering, Spring 2019
MEEN 6950.732, Doctoral Dissertation, Spring 2019
MEEN 5940.003, Graduate Seminar in Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Spring 8W2 2019
MEEN 5950.732, Masters Thesis, Spring 2019
MEEN 2210.001, Thermodynamics I, Spring 2019 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 2210.002, Thermodynamics I, Spring 2019 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 5890.732, Directed Study in Mechanical & Energy Engineering, Fall 2018
MEEN 6950.732, Doctoral Dissertation, Fall 2018
MEEN 5950.732, Masters Thesis, Fall 2018
MEEN 2210.001, Thermodynamics I, Fall 2018 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 2210.002, Thermodynamics I, Fall 2018 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 5950.732, Masters Thesis, Summer 10W 2018
MEEN 5950.732, Masters Thesis, Summer 2018
MEEN 5890.732, Directed Study in Mechanical & Energy Engineering, Spring 2018
MEEN 6950.732, Doctoral Dissertation, Spring 2018
MEEN 6940.732, Individual Research, Spring 2018
MEEN 5950.732, Masters Thesis, Spring 2018
MEEN 2210.001, Thermodynamics I, Spring 2018 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 2210.002, Thermodynamics I, Spring 2018 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 5890.732, Directed Study in Mechanical & Energy Engineering, Fall 2017 SPOT
MEEN 6950.732, Doctoral Dissertation, Fall 2017
MEEN 6940.732, Individual Research, Fall 2017
MEEN 5950.732, Masters Thesis, Fall 2017
MEEN 2210.001, Thermodynamics I, Fall 2017 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 2210.002, Thermodynamics I, Fall 2017 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 5890.732, Directed Study in Mechanical & Energy Engineering, Summer 10W 2017
MEEN 5950.732, Masters Thesis, Summer 2017
MEEN 5890.732, Directed Study in Mechanical & Energy Engineering, Spring 2017 SPOT
MEEN 6950.732, Doctoral Dissertation, Spring 2017
MEEN 3210.002, Heat Transfer, Spring 2017 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 6940.732, Individual Research, Spring 2017
MEEN 5950.732, Masters Thesis, Spring 2017
MEEN 5800.008, Selected Topics of Contemporary Interest in Mechanical Engineering, Spring 2017 SPOT
MEEN 4800.008, Topics in Mechanical & Energy Engineering, Spring 2017 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 5310.001, Conduction and Radiation Heat Transfer, Fall 2016 SPOT
MEEN 5310.632, Conduction and Radiation Heat Transfer, Fall 2016 SPOT
MEEN 5890.732, Directed Study in Mechanical & Energy Engineering, Fall 2016 SPOT
MEEN 3210.002, Heat Transfer, Fall 2016 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 6940.732, Individual Research, Fall 2016
MEEN 5950.732, Masters Thesis, Fall 2016
MEEN 4800.008, Topics in Mechanical & Energy Engineering, Fall 2016 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 5890.732, Directed Study in Mechanical & Energy Engineering, Summer 10W 2016
MEEN 5950.732, Masters Thesis, Summer 10W 2016
MEEN 5950.732, Masters Thesis, Summer 2016
MEEN 5310.001, Conduction and Radiation Heat Transfer, Spring 2016 SPOT
MEEN 5310.632, Conduction and Radiation Heat Transfer, Spring 2016 SPOT
MEEN 5950.732, Masters Thesis, Spring 2016
MEEN 4900.732, Special Problems in Mechanical & Energy Engineering, Spring 2016
MEEN 3210.001, Heat Transfer, Fall 2015 Syllabus SPOT
MEEN 3210.002, Heat Transfer, Fall 2015 Syllabus SPOT

* Texas Education Code 51.974 (HB 2504) requires each institution of higher education to make available to the public, a syllabus for undergraduate lecture courses offered for credit by the institution.

Published Publications

Published Intellectual Contributions

Conference Proceeding
Oluwabunmi, K., D’Souza, N. A., Zhao, W. (2022). Compostable, Full Biobased Foams Using Environmentally Benign Manufacturing. Volume 2B: Advanced Manufacturing, V02BT02A064. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2022-95956
Shaik, S., Shi, S. Q., Zhao, W. (2021). Phase change material incorporated refrigeration insulation for refrigerator energy savings. ASHRAE
Zhao, W. (2020). Development of a Novel Energy Recovery Heat Exchanger Coupled with Phase Change Materials for Building Temperature Control. 126(2), 349-356. USA: ASHRAE. https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/ashrae-transactions
Qandil, H., Zhao, W. (2018). Design and Evaluation of the Fresnel-Lens Based Solar Concentrator System through a Statistical-Algorithmic Approach.
Mohiuddin, M., Zhao, W. (2018). Heat and Mass Transfer Analysis of the Micro-Porous Membrane/Phase Change Material Based Energy Recovery Ventilator.
Zhao, W., Almahmoud, K. (2018). Heat Transfer Analysis of a 3D Graphene-Carbon Nanotube Pillared Structure.
Boozula, A. R., Zhao, W., Cai, L., Shi, S. Q. (2018). Use of Wood/Phase Change Material Composite in the Building Envelope for Building Thermal Control and Energy Savings. Other.
Boozula, A. R., Zhao, W., Cai, L., Shi, S. Q. (2018). USE OF WOOD/PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL COMPOSITE IN THE BUILDING ENVELOPE FOR BUILDING THERMAL CONTROL AND ENERGY SAVINGS. ASTFE Digital Library.
Qandil, H., Zhao, W. (2018). Design and evaluation of the Fresnel-lens based solar concentrator system through a statistical-algorithmic approach. ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (IMECE). 8B-2018, . https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85064005783
Patel, A. K., Zhao, W. (2017). HEAT TRANSFER ANALYSIS OF GRAPHITE FOAM EMBEDDED VAPOR CHAMBER FOR COOLING OF POWER ELECTRONICS IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES. Other.
Zhao, W. (2016). An Investigation on the Effects of Phase Change Material on Material Components Used for High Temperature Thermal Energy Storage System. Other.
Journal Article
Smith, L. M., Cao, Y., Shi, S. Q., Li, X., Zhao, W. (2023). Modeling of gas production during pyrolysis of biomass with triple gaussian function. Industrial Crops and Products. 206, 117688. Elsevier.
Nandy, A., Houl, Y., Zhao, W., D'Souza, N. A. (2023). Thermal heat transfer and energy modeling through incorporation of phase change materials (PCMs) into polyurethane foam. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 182, 113410. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032123002678
Qandil, H., Zhao, W. Investigation of non-imaging Fresnel lens prototyping with different manufacturing methods for solar energy application.
Oluwabunmi, K., D'Souza, N. A., Zhao, W., (2021). Carbon Capture Utilization for Biopolymer Foam Manufacture: Thermal, Mechanical and Acoustic Performance of PCL/PHBV CO2 Foams, Polymers.
Almahmoud, K., Mahadevan, T., Barhemmati-Rajab, N., Du, J., Bostanci, H., Zhao, W. (2020). Investigation of Thermal Transport Properties in Pillared-Graphene Structure using Nonequilibrium Molecular Dynamics Simulations. MRS Communications. 10(3), 506-511. https://doi.org/10.1557/mrc.2020.58
Almahmoud, K., Mahadevan, T., Du, J., Bostanci, H., Zhao, W. (2020). Investigation of Thermal Transport Properties of Copper-Supported Pillared-Graphene Structure Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations. MRS Communications. 10(4), 695-701. https://doi.org/10.1557/mrc.2020.85
Barhemmati-Rajab, N., Mahadevan, T., Du, J., Zhao, W. (2020). Thermal Transport Properties Enhancement of paraffin via Encapsulation into Boron Nitride Nanotube: A Molecular Dynamics Study. MRS Communications. 10(3), 475-481. Cambridge: Springer. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/mrs-communications
Oluwabunmi, K., D'Souza, N. A., Zhao, W., Choi, T., Theyson, T. (2020). Compostable, fully biobased foams using PLA and micro cellulose for zero energy buildings. Scientific Reports. 10(17771), . Nature. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-74478-y
Qandil, H., Wang, S., Zhao, W. (2019). Algorithmically Optimized Hemispherical Dome as a Secondary Optical Element for the Fresnel Lens Solar Concentrator. Other.
Qandil, H., Wang, S., Zhao, W. (2019). Algorithmically Optimized Hemispherical Dome as a Secondary Optical Element for the Fresnel Lens Solar Concentrator. Other. 9(13), .
Qandil, H., Wang, S., Zhao, W. (2019). Application-Based Design of the Fresnel Lens Solar Concentrator. Other.
Qandil, H., Wang, S., Zhao, W. (2019). Optimizing the Fresnel-lens Solar-concentrator Design for Tracking Error Mitigation in Thermal Applications, using a Statistical Algorithm. Other.
Xia, C., Wu, Y., Qiu, Y., Cai, L., Smith, L. M., Tu, M., Zhao, W., Shao, D., Mei, C., Nie, X., others, (2019). Processing high-performance woody materials by means of vacuum-assisted resin infusion technology. Journal of Cleaner Production. 241, 118340. Elsevier.
Traylor, C., Zhao, W., Tao, Y. X. (2019). Utilizing Modulating-Temperature Setpoints to Save Energy and Maintain Alliesthesia-Based Comfort. Other.
Zhao, W. (2018). Development and prototype testing of MgCl2/graphite foam latent heat thermal energy storage system. Solar Energy. 159, 270-282.
Zhao, W. (2018). Development and prototype testing of MgCl2/graphite foam latent heat thermal energy storage system. Solar Energy.
Zhao, W. (2018). Experimental Investigation of Subcooled Flow Boiling of a 50/50 Ethylene Glycol/Water Mixture in Finned Rectangular Aluminum Channels. Experimental Heat Transfer. 31(6), 482-494.
Barhemmati-Rajab, N., Zhao, W. (2018). Investigation into Boron Nitride Nanoparticle Effects on Thermal Properties of Calcium Chloride Hexahydrate (CaCl2∙6H2O) as a Phase Change Material. MRS Communications. 8(4), 1439-1444.
Zhao, W. (2016). Development of Graphite Foam Infiltrated with MgCl2 for a Latent Heat Based Thermal Energy Storage (LHTES) System. 94, .
Zhao, W. (2015). Analysis of a Graphite Foam-NaCl Latent Heat Storage System for Supercritical CO2 Power Cycles for Concentrated Solar Power. Solar Energy. 118, .
Zhao, W. (2015). Subcooled Boiling Heat Transfer for Cooling of Power Electronics in Hybrid Electric Vehicles. Journal of Electronic Packaging. 137, .
Zhao, W. (2015). Subcooled Flow Boiling Heat Transfer to Water and Ethylene Glycol/Water Mixtures in a Bottom-Heated Tube. Experimental Heat Transfer.
Lamason, R. L., Mohideen, M. A., Mest, J. R., Wong, A. C., Norton, H. L., Aros, M. C., Jurynec, M. J., Mao, X., Humphreville, V. R., Humbert, J. E., Sinha, S., Moore, J., Jagadeeswaran, P., Zhao, W., Ning, G., Makalowska, I., McKeigue, P. M., O'donnell, D., Kittles, R., Parra, E. J., Mangini, N. J., Grunwald, D. J., Shriver, M. D., Canfield, V. A., Cheng, K. C. (2005). SLC24A5, a putative cation exchanger, affects pigmentation in zebrafish and humans.. Other. 310(5755), 1782-6.
Other
Zhao, W., Shi, S. Q. (2023). Solar environmental control system, apparatus, and method relating thereto.
Shi, S. Q., Zhao, W., Cai, L. (2022). Fabrication of a phase change material (PCM) integrated insulation.
Shi, S. Q., Zhao, W., Cai, L. (2021). Fabrication of pcm integrated insulation.

Awarded Grants

Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Research

Contract
Zhao, W. (Principal), "Optimization for Thermal Protection of Firefighter’s Glove by Phase Change Material," Sponsored by CDC, Federal, $37477 Funded. (20212023).
Zhao, W., "Development and Prototype Testing of a Solar-Concentrated Seawater Desalination System," Sponsored by Solar Solution, LLC., National, $34304 Funded. (March 1, 2020February 28, 2022).
Zhao, W. (Principal), "Thermal Analysis and Cost Modeling of Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage System," Sponsored by DOE-Argonne National Laboratory, Federal, $20000 Funded. (June 1, 2016September 30, 2018).
Grant - Research
Zhao, W., "Design of Energy Recovery Heat Exchanger Coupled with Phase Change Materials for Building Temperature Control," Sponsored by ASHRAE Undergraduate Program Equipment Grant, Other, $4235 Funded. (September 1, 2018August 31, 2019).
Zhao, W., "Development of a 3D Multi-Layer Stacked Graphene-CNT Structure," Sponsored by University of North Texas, University of North Texas, $9678 Funded. (June 1, 2018August 31, 2018).
Grant - Teaching
D'Souza, N. A., Zhao, W., "Building an Energy-Aware Next-Gen Workforce through Student and Teacher Engagement," Sponsored by Constellation E2 Energy to Educate, National, $35000 Funded. (20222023).
Sponsored Research
Zhao, W. (Principal), Qandil, H. (Co-Principal), "Solar Lens-Based saltwater Desalination System," Sponsored by Solar Solutions, Private, $34304 Funded. (20202022).
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Overall
Summative Rating
Challenge and
Engagement Index
Response Rate

out of 5

out of 7
%
of
students responded
  • Overall Summative Rating (median):
    This rating represents the combined responses of students to the four global summative items and is presented to provide an overall index of the class’s quality. Overall summative statements include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 5 = Excellent, 3 = Good, and 1= Very poor):
    • The course as a whole was
    • The course content was
    • The instructor’s contribution to the course was
    • The instructor’s effectiveness in teaching the subject matter was
  • Challenge and Engagement Index:
    This rating combines student responses to several SPOT items relating to how academically challenging students found the course to be and how engaged they were. Challenge and Engagement Index items include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 7 = Much higher, 4 = Average, and 1 = Much lower):
    • Do you expect your grade in this course to be
    • The intellectual challenge presented was
    • The amount of effort you put into this course was
    • The amount of effort to succeed in this course was
    • Your involvement in course (doing assignments, attending classes, etc.) was
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