Zachary J. Harrell has a Ph.D in Materials Physics from the University of Texas at San Antonio. His dissertation focused on strain-induced behaviors in lanthanide perovskite thin films. He has research experience at Los Alamos National Laboratory and UTSA, studying properties of thin films, nanoparticles, and carbon nanotubes. He has published several papers in applied physics journals and presented his work at conferences. Harrell has skills in thin film deposition and characterization techniques and teaching undergraduate physics labs.

1. Zachary J. Harrell, Ph.D – Materials Physics
Zach.harrell@gmail.com
(210).260.6964
Education
Ph.D (Dec, 2016) University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Fall 2012 – Fall 2016 (expected)
“Mechanical and Chemical Strain Induced Anomalous Behaviors in
Lanthanide Perovskite Thin Films”
M.S. University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Spring 2016 – Materials Physics
B.S. St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX
Major in Physics, Minor in Mathematics, Summa Cum Laude
Research/Industry Experience
Oct 2015-Sept 2016 Los Alamos National Laboratory – Graduate Research Assistant
Mentor: Dr. Quanxi Jia
• Studied temperature dependent conductivity and magnetic properties of crystalline films
demonstrating detailed effects of lattice strain and stoichiometry on macroscopic properties
• Optimized a new approach for single step synthesis of nanoparticles embedded in a thin film
matrix enabling control of physical properties due to manipulation of microstructure
• Modified intermediate-high temperature (300 K – 1173 K) furnace system to measure in situ
resistance change of thin films in annealing/redox gas/ion diffusion environments and integrated
with LabView software, adding new characterization capability to the group.
Aug 2012-Oct 2015 Graduate Research Assistant/TA II –UT San Antonio
Advisor: Dr. Chonglin Chen
• Deposited crystalline thin films and studied their oxygen ion diffusion for use in intermediate
temperature solid oxide fuel cell cathode components
• Gained proficiency in pulsed laser deposition and RF sputter thin film deposition techniques
allowing for deposition of metals, semiconductors, insulators/dielectrics, etc.
• Taught undergraduate physics labs and occasional lecture courses, receiving high ratings on
student evaluations
Jan 2011-Aug 2012 Technologist/Research Associate – Designed Nanotubes/Molecular
Rebar Design, LLC – Austin, TX Chief Science Officer: Clive Bosnyak,
Ph.D
• Performed and supervised large scale carbon nanotube functionalization, exfoliation,
purification, dispersion, and confirmed a link between specific processing techniques and level
of purity
• Produced and studied proprietary lead acid/carbon nanotube battery compounds, enabling
optimal processing techniques and future scale-up

2. Selected Publications and Presentations (3 additional 1st
author manuscripts pending
submission)
•Oxygen Content Tailored Magnetic and Electronic Properties in Cobaltite Double
Perovskite Thin Films. Zach Harrell, Erik Enriquez, Aiping Chen, Paul Dowden, Quanxi Jia,
and Chonglin Chen. (In APL peer review, 2016)
•Strain Engineering and Functionality Tuning via Nanopaticles with Controllable Size and
Distribution in a Thin Film Matrix – Lecture, UTSA College of Sciences Conference, Sept.
2016
•Oxygen Vacancy-Driven Evolution of Structural and Electrical Properties in SrFeO3-d
Thin Films and a Method of Stabilization. Erik Enriquez, Aiping Chen, Zach Harrell, Xujie
Lu, Paul Dowden, Nicholas Koskelo, Marc Janoschek, Chonglin Chen, and Quanxi Jia. Applied
Physics Letters 109 (14) 141906 (2016).
•Epitaxial Growth and Physical Properties of Ternary Nitride Thin Films by Polymer-
Assisted Deposition. Erik Enriquez, Yingying Zhang, Aiping Chen, Xhenxing Bi, Yongqiang
Wang, Engang Fu, Zach Harrell, Xujie Lu, Paul Dowden, Haiyan Wang, Chonglin Chen, and
Quanxi Jia. Applied Physics Letters, 109 (8) 081907 (2016).
•Catalytic Dynamics and Oxygen Diffusion in Doped PrBaCo2O5.5+δ Thin Films.
Erik Enriquez, Xing Xu, Shanyong Bao, Zach Harrell, Chonglin Chen, Sihyuk Choi, Areum
Jun, Guntae Kim, and Myung-Hwan Whangbo
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 7 (43), 24353-24359 (2015).
•Ferroelectric domain structure evolution in Ba (Zr 0.1 Ti 0.9) O 3/(Ba 0.75 Ca 0.25) TiO 3
heterostructures. Zhu, Xiao Na, Xing Xu, Zach Harrell, Ruyan Guo, Amar S. Bhalla, Minghui
Zhang, Jiechao Jiang, Chonglin Chen, and Xiang Ming Chen. RSC Advances 5, no. 81 (2015):
65811-65817.
Relevant Skills/Training
Thin film synthesis: Physical Vapor Deposition Techniques: RF/DC Sputtering and Pulsed
Laser Deposition
Measurements: Low temperature resistance/magnetic measurements (QD PPMS),
Intermediate/High temperature ion diffusivity measurements
Characterization: X-Ray Diffraction Analysis, some microscopy techniques (TEM, STEM,
SEM, AFM), UV Spectrometry, Thermogravimetric Analysis
Mechanical: Particulate filtration/purification via pressure filters and centrifuges, Brabender and
Haake style polymer processing equipment, Instron tensile testing, maintenance and repair of lab
equipment including filters, vacuum pumps, minimal electronics, and construction/repair for
reactor systems; general woodworking/construction for proprietary mounts/platforms, fluid and
gas piping/plumbing
Miscellaneous:Lead Acid battery test cell manufacturing, Hazardous materials handling/disposal
for strong acids/bases, solvents, particulates