Prof. Heather Zhang

Research Assistant Professor

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

My research focuses on developing low-carbon, high-performance construction materials for sustainable and resilient infrastructure. I work at the intersection of cement chemistry, waste valorization, biochar-based materials, 3D-printed concrete, and hazardous waste stabilization. My central goal is to transform waste-derived resources into functional cementitious materials with improved durability, reduced carbon footprint, and practical deployment potential.

A major direction of my work is engineering biochar as an active construction material rather than a passive filler. I investigate how biochar pore structure, surface chemistry, carbon architecture, and interfacial interactions regulate hydration, rheology, water transport, pore networks, thermal behavior, chloride immobilization, and carbon storage in cementitious systems. This research supports the development of multifunctional materials for low-carbon buildings and infrastructure.

My second research direction focuses on biochar-enhanced 3D-printed concrete. I study how composition, fresh-state rheology, extrusion behavior, interlayer bonding, shrinkage, anisotropy, and microstructure evolution govern printability and long-term performance. By linking material design with digital construction processes, I aim to advance 3D printing from a fabrication method toward a scalable platform for climate-positive concrete construction.

I am also interested in low-carbon stabilization and solidification strategies for hazardous wastes, including municipal solid waste incineration fly ash, electroplating sludge, and contaminated soils. Through advanced characterization and mechanistic analysis, I seek to clarify contaminant immobilization pathways and develop safer, more sustainable binder systems.

Looking forward, I aim to integrate experimental materials science with AI-assisted and data-driven approaches to accelerate mix design, predict durability, and support field-scale quality control. My long-term vision is to create deployable carbon-negative and multifunctional construction materials that contribute to circular economy, climate mitigation, and infrastructure resilience.