Nan Zhang - Introduction

Hello everyone, my name is Nan Zhang and I am a 2^nd year Master student in Chemical engineering department. I come from Beijing, China. I got my BS in Dalian University of Technology in China and did have a one semester exchange study experience in University of Illinois at Chicago in the US. Thereafter, I came to CMU to pursue my Master degree. My MS thesis is about an environmental friendly desalination technology, called CDI and my advisor is Meagan Mauter. In my research, I not only focus on the efficiency of desalinated water in the Chemical engineering aspect, but also did some work on the policy of wastewater treatment in the US and this captures my interests in energy innovation policy. It is absolutely one of my reasons to take this course.

Another reason is I do have plan to go back to China to establish my own business after I graduate . from CMU. As far as I know, this course is mainly focused on the innovation policy in the US, but it would not restrict to that. As a Chemical engineer, we studied a lot about how things react together to get a certain kind of desire product. This is important, but is definitely not the only thing I need to take into account. Innovation policy in economy, energy and other aspects are also significant in this industry. If I can learn more about how innovation policy creates and what the process is in making innovation policy, it would be benefit a lot for me in my future career.