On December 19^th 2013, Prof. Tao Zhang was elected as an academicain of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), which is the highest academic title conferred on Chinese scientists and experts working in scientific and technological fields.

Prof. Tao Zhang has been focused on the design and synthesis of nano- and subnanometer catalyst materials that have been widely applied in micro-propulsion systems in China. In the recent 5 years, he further extended his research to the catalytic conversion of biomass and developed a new reaction process from cellulose to ethylene glycol. Through his independent 25 years of academic career, he has published more than 300 peer-reviewed papers and hold 70 licensed patents. He is the principal awardee of 8 national prizes, including three second-class prizes of National Award of Technology Invention(2005, 2006, 2008).