Joe Zhang Joins Maxwell Labs: Boosting Our Team with Advanced Simulation Expertise

By CEO Jacob Balma

At Maxwell Labs we’re all about pushing the boundaries of cooling technology for the high-stakes world of AI and high-performance computing, and today we’re thrilled to share some exciting news from our team. 

We’ve just brought on board Joe Zhang as our newest Research Scientist, and we couldn’t be more pumped about the fresh perspectives and expertise he’s bringing to the table.

Headquartered in the vibrant city of St. Paul, MN, we’re on a mission to revolutionize data center cooling with our proprietary laser cooling solutions. By converting heat directly into light, we’re advancing legacy limitations of air and water-based systems and mechanical parts, making things more efficient, sustainable, and scalable. 

Our tech model and simulations show how we can seamlessly integrate into existing setups, boost chip performance, and even open doors for energy recovery — perfect for the demanding needs of modern AI hardware and HPC systems. 

Joe joins us with an impressive background in computational mechanics and materials science, perfectly aligned with our focus on advancing thermal management. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a Master’s from the University of Delaware, and a Bachelor’s in Automotive Engineering from Zhejiang University of Science & Technology. 

Joe spent the last seven years diving deep into numerical modeling and simulations. His work has spanned everything from molecular dynamics simulations to finite element analysis, exploring plasticity, fracture mechanisms, and thermal properties in materials like energetic crystals, polymers, metals, and semiconductors under various conditions.

In his new role at Maxwell, he will zero in on numerical modeling and simulation, thermal transport in cooling systems, and optimizing efficiency and power use in data centers. Drawing from his experience at Rensselaer, where he developed physics-based constitutive models and conducted large-scale MD simulations on high-performance computing environments, Joe is set to enhance our laser cooling tech. 

His time as a Physical Sciences Intern at Los Alamos National Laboratory, contributing to strain functional descriptors for materials like copper and tungsten, honed his skills in analyzing material behavior under extreme conditions—skills that will directly support our efforts in nanoscale heat management. Plus, his Master’s research at the University of Delaware, investigating mechanical and thermal properties of nanomaterials like graphene and silicon carbide, adds a layer of expertise in fracture and thermal expansion that’s spot-on for our photonic engineering challenges.

We’re especially excited about Joe’s programming skills — he’s fluent in Python, Fortran, C++, and more, and has even implemented machine learning models for data analysis. He’s authored over 10 peer-reviewed papers, with highlights in journals like the International Journal of Plasticity and Journal of Applied Physics, racking up more than 50 citations since 2020. Joe’s collaborative spirit shines through in his work with external groups and mentoring peers, which fits right in with our team-oriented culture.

“Joining Maxwell Labs feels like the perfect next step,” Joe shared. “I’m eager to apply my simulation expertise to real-world cooling solutions that make data centers more efficient and sustainable. The opportunity to work on cutting-edge laser tech with such a talented group is incredibly motivating.”

As we continue to grow and innovate, adding talents like Joe helps us stay ahead in delivering future-ready solutions. Stay tuned for more updates on our projects and team — we’re just getting started!