Dr. Ju Li is a preeminent scholar and leading authority in the field of advanced materials with a distinguished dual appointment at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He currently holds the prestigious position of Battelle Energy Alliance Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, having joined MIT as a faculty member in 2011 after establishing himself at the Ohio State University and the University of Pennsylvania. His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Science and Technology of China in 1994, where he was part of the Special Class for Gifted Young, followed by the completion of his PhD in Nuclear Engineering at MIT in 2000. Professor Li's career trajectory reflects a consistent ascent through the ranks of academic excellence, marked by his appointment to chaired professorships and recognition as a transformative figure in materials science and engineering.
Professor Li's research has fundamentally reshaped the understanding of mechanical, electrochemical, and transport behaviors of materials, with particular emphasis on developing novel solutions for energy storage and conversion technologies. His laboratory has pioneered breakthrough innovations including nanosecond protonic programmable resistors for analog deep learning and the world's longest flexible and waterproof fiber battery at 140 meters long, demonstrating exceptional creativity in materials design. His work spans metallurgy and solid mechanics, nanocomposite materials, electrolyzers, batteries, materials modeling, and artificial intelligence applications for scientific discovery, establishing critical connections between computational approaches and experimental materials science. These contributions have earned him recognition as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher from 2018 to 2024, reflecting the substantial global impact of his publications across multiple scientific disciplines.
Beyond his laboratory achievements, Professor Li serves as the chief organizer of the MIT A+B Applied Energy Symposia, which develops comprehensive solutions to global climate change challenges through both near-term and long-term technological approaches. He has earned distinguished recognition as a Fellow of the American Physical Society (2014), the Materials Research Society (2017), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2020), and The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (2022), solidifying his standing as a leader across multiple scientific communities. His early career achievements include the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (2005), the Materials Research Society Outstanding Young Investigator Award (2006), and the Technology Review TR35 award (2007) as one of the world's top innovators under age 35. Professor Li continues to direct cutting-edge research that addresses critical challenges in planetary decarbonization through innovative materials for energy storage and conversion, while mentoring the next generation of scientists who will advance these vital technologies for decades to come.
