Lenan Zhang is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, working with Professor Evelyn Wang. Lenan earned his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Purdue University in 2016, and his S.M. degree in Mechanical Engineering from MIT in 2018.
Lenan’s research combines fundamental studies of heat and mass transport processes with the development of novel and sustainable energy conversion and water production approaches. He designed and built a thermally-localized multistage desalination system driven by natural sunlight, which demonstrated a record-high water production. By leveraging capabilities of multidisciplinary tools including in-depth model prediction, advanced metrology, and material synthesis, Lenan is exploring high-performance supply and management strategies for affordable drinking water.