Qian (Beth) Zou, Ph.D.

Education

• Ph.D., Mechanical Design and Theory, Tsinghua University, China, 2001
• M.S., Mechanology, Tsinghua University, China, 1994
• B.S., Mechanical Design and Manufacturing, Tsinghua University, China, 1992

Teaching

• Statics and Dynamics
• Mechanics of Materials
• Analysis and Design of Mechanical Structures
• Lubrication, Friction and Wear
• Advanced Tribology

Research

• Automotive Tribology
• Wear and Scuffing - Modeling and Testing
• Nanofluids
• Lubrication Theory
• Contact Mechanics Analysis

Professional Experience

• 07/2016 - present Associate Dean and Professor, School of Engineering and Computer Science, Oakland University
• 08/2014 - 06/2016 Interim Associate Dean and Professor, School of Engineering and Computer Science, Oakland University
• 08/2008 - 07/2014 Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Oakland University
• 08/2002 - 07/2008 Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Oakland University
• 01/2002 - 06/2002 Visiting Instructor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Oakland University
• 08/1996 - 12/2001 Lecturer, National Tribology Laboratory, Department of Precision Instruments and Mechanology, Tsinghua University, China.
• 08/1994 - 07/1996 Assistant Professor, National Tribology Laboratory, Department of Precision Instruments and Mechanology, Tsinghua University, China.

Awards, Honors, Memberships

• Member of ASME, STLE, SME, Sigma Xi and Tau Beta Pi
• Reviewer of STLE Tribology Transactions, ASME Transactions, Journal of Tribology, Tribology Letters, Surface and Interface Analysis, Applied Surface Science, Smart Materials and Structures, ASME Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power Engines, ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, World Congress Conference of Society of Automotive Engineers, ASME/STLE International Joint Tribology Conference and ASME Internal Combustion Engine Division Technical Conference.
• New Investigator Research Excellence Award, Oakland University, 2006.
• Oakland University Research Fellowship, 2003, 2006.
• National Science Foundation fellowship to the NSF Summer Institute on Nano Mechanics and Materials, 2003.
• Achievements in Scientific Research Spread (Third Class), from Tsinghua University, 1999.
• National Award for Achievement in Technology Invention (Third Class), from the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, 1996.
• Great Achievement in Science & Technology Award (First Class), from the Chinese Ministry of Education, 1996.
• Friends of Tsinghua - Prize for Excellent Teachers (Second Class), 1995 and 1996.
• Best Paper Award, Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society, 1995.

Selected Publications

1. “Tribological properties of ZnO and WS2 nanofluids using different
surfactants”, Wear, Vol. 382–383, p8-14, 2017.

2. “Microstructures and tensile properties of nano-sized SiCp/Al-Cu composites
fabricated by semisolid stirring assisted with hot extrusion”, Material
Characterization, Vol. 131, p195-200, 2017.

3. “Grease film variation in reciprocating sliding motion”, Tribology
International, Vol. 114, p373-388, 2017.

4. “Morphology Evolution on the Fracture Surface and Fracture Mechanisms of
Multiphase Nanostructured ZrCu-Base Alloys”, Materials, Vol.10, p284,
2017

5. “Investigation of the Stability and Tribological Performance of Ionic
Nanoliquids”, Tribology Transactions, Vol. 60, No. 5, p 845-851, 2017.

6. “Microstructure and sintering mechanism of C/Cu composites by mechanical
alloying/spark plasma sintering”, Journal of Composite Materials, Vol. 51,
No. 21, p 3065-3074, 2017.

7. “Experimental observation on the surface dimple variations in starved EHL of
sliding steel-glass point contacts”, Tribology International, Vol. 105,
p166–174, 2017.

8. “Effect of Particle Concentration on Tribological Properties of ZnO
Nanofluids”, Tribology Transactions, Vol. 60, No. 1, p154–158, 2017.

Selected Sponsored Research

• “Automotive Tribology Center”, U.S. Army, TARDEC, co-PI, (PI: Gary Barber), $1,426,933 (2010).
• “REU Site: Automotive and Energy Research and Industrial Mentorship (AERIM) Program at Oakland University”, co-PI, (PI: Laila Guessous), National Science Foundation, $343,496 (2010-2012).
• “IRES: Collaborative Research Activities with China on Fluid and Thermal Transport in Fuel Cells”, National Science Foundation, co-PI, (PI: Xia Wang), $149,290 (2010-2012)
• “Investigation of the Friction and Wear Behavior of Current and Future Engine Oils”, PI, Chevron Oronite Company LLC, $40,000 (2007-2008).
• “Test System Development for Piston Wrist Pin against Pin Bore”, PI, General Motors, $61,500 (Phase I: 2006-2007, Phase II: 2007-2008).
• “Investigation of the Friction Characteristics of Clutch Plate Materials”, PI, General Motors, $32,000 (2007-2008).
• “Automotive Tribology Consortium”, PI, General Motors, $20,000 (2007).
• “REU: Automotive Research and Industrial Mentorship Program at Oakland University”, co-PI, (PI: Laila Guessous), National Science Foundation, $233,375 (2006-2008).