Fueled by curiosity and a sense of the possible, Xin Zhang has propelled the field of metamaterials-synthetic materials with functional properties not found in nature-to new heights. The College of Engineering professor of mechanical engineering has built devices that could improve the accessibility and quality of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines and cut rampant noise pollution. For her efforts, Zhang has been awarded a 2022 Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship, which she says will give her the space and funding to devote herself "to some of the world's most interesting and challenging problems."
The Brink checked in with Zhang about how being a Guggenheim Fellow will allow her to expand her research in mechanical engineering and materials science, as well as give her the opportunity to take on new challenges.
