Prof. Kathy Lu


Area of research:

  • Ohio State University, Columbus, OH; Materials Science and Engineering; 1996-2000
  • Penn State University, University Park, PA; Innovative Sintered Products; 2000-2001
  • Energy Battery Company, Westlake, OH; Battery Material Processing; 2001-2004
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA; Materials Science and Engineering; 2004-present

Name of my University / Research Institute:

Virginia Tech

Research period at the TU Darmstadt:

19 August, 2012-15 May, 2013

Questionnaire to the Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Awardee

My field of research is fascinating. To laymen I would explain it in the following comprehensible manner:

Understand how materials behave at nanoscale and create novel material microstructures from nanoscale and up; study material interactions and degradation in extreme environments.

My most important success in research to date is…

the development of a focused ion beam guided approach for nanopatterning and invention of new sealing materials for solid oxide fuel cells.

I’ve chosen the TU Darmstadt because of…

its excellent faculty, well-equipped lab facilities and the great reputation of the school in engineering.

Prof. Riedel with Prof. Lu.
Prof. Riedel with Prof. Lu.

If I were a student today, I would…

spend more time studying different theories in a more in-depth manner and collaborate more widely.

The perfect balance to a stressful working day is…

meeting new people and exploring a different culture.

With the help of my host in Darmstadt I would like to…

exchange research ideas and conduct new research in materials.

Questionnaire for the host

Guest of: Prof. Dr. Ralf Riedel

Department: Materials and Geosciences (FB 11)

You appreciate in your guest / your guest favourably impressed you by…

the excellent expertise in the field of advanced ceramic research.

You, your team and the TU Darmstadt benefit from your guest’s…

scientific work related to nano materials and ultra-high temperature resistant ceramics with an emphasis on processing. Prof. Lu´s stay at TU Darmstadt will enhance the students and faculty exchange with Virginia Tech.

Prof. Ralf Riedel.
Prof. Ralf Riedel.