Materials Scientist
Materials Scientist

Biography

Huidong Li is a materials scientist on the Environmental Sensors team in the Energy and Environmental Directorate’s Earth Systems Predictability and Resiliency group. His expertise is in electronic materials and the design, development, and applications of sensors and transducers. Since joining Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in 2011, Dr. Li has been focused on developing technologies to support environmental monitoring efforts related to renewable energy systems. He has been granted 14 U.S. patents and 3 foreign patents in acoustic telemetry, radio-frequency telemetry, and energy-harvesting technologies. Dr. Li is also the recipient of the Federal Laboratory Consortium Award and an R&D 100 Award, and he has authored or coauthored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers, and technical reports.

Research Interest

  • Hydropower and marine power engineering
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Acoustic telemetry
  • Fish tracking technologies
  • Piezoelectric devices
  • Energy harvesting
  • Ceramic materials

Disciplines and Skills

  • Materials science
  • Sensor and transmitter design
  • Applied piezoelectricity
  • Aquatic ecosystem monitoring
  • Renewable energy technologies

Education

  • PhD in materials science and engineering, Drexel University
  • MS in materials engineering, Drexel University
  • BS in chemical engineering, Tsinghua University

Affiliations and Professional Service

  • Materials Research Society

Awards and Recognitions

  • Battelle Distinguished Inventor, 2025
  • Pathway to Excellence Patent Award, PNNL, 2018/2020/2021/2023/2025
  • R&D 100 Award for “Lab on a Fish,” 2021
  • Federal Laboratory Consortium Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer, 2020
  • Project Team of the Year, Energy and Environment Directorate, PNNL, 2013/2015/2017/2018
  • Publication of the Year, Energy and Environment Directorate, PNNL, 2017
  • R&D 100 Award Finalist, 2015
  • Outstanding Performance Award, PNNL, 2012/2013
  • Best Poster Award, Annual Postdoctoral Poster Competition, PNNL, 2012

Patents

  • Deng, Z. Daniel, Huidong Li, Mitchell J. Myjak, Jun Lu, Jayson J. Martinez, Jiguang Zhang, Samuel S. Cartmell, Yuxing Wang, Qiuyan Li, and Jie Xiao. Systems and methods for monitoring organisms within an aquatic environment. U.S. Patent No US11793165B2, filed 24 December 2019, and issued 24 October 2023.
    https://patents.google.com/patent/US11793165B2/en.
  • Deng, Z. Daniel, Huidong Li, Chuan Tian, Jun Lu, Mitchell J. Myjak, Jayson J. Martinez, Jie Xiao, Yuxing Wang, and Qiuyan Li. Transmitters for Animals and Methods for Transmitting from Animals. U.S. Patent No. US2022079116A1, filed 27 September 2021, and filed 17 March 2022.  https://patents.google.com/patent/US20220079116A1/en.  
  • Deng, Z. Daniel, Jun Lu, Huidong Li, Chuan Tian, Mitchell J. Myjak, Brian J. Bellgraph, Sam Cartmell, and Jie Xiao, Methods for attaching transmitters to animals. U.S. Patent No. US11139840B2, filed 16 November 2018, and issued 5 October 2021. https://patents.google.com/patent/US11139840B2/en.  
  • Deng, Zhiqun, Huidong Li, Jun Lu, Mitchell J. Myjak, Jayson J. Martinez, Jie Xiao, Richard S. Brown, Samuel S. Cartmell. Acoustic transmission device and process for tracking selected hosts. U.S. Patent No. US10739434B2, filed 26 September 2018, and issued 11 August 2020. https://patents.google.com/patent/US10739434B2/en.
  • Deng, Z. Daniel, Mitchell J. Myjak, Thomas J. Carlson, Jie Xiao, Huidong Li, Samuel S. Cartmell, Jun Lu, Honghao Chen, M. Bradford Eppard, and Mark E. Gross. Injectable acoustic transmission devices and process for making and using same. U.S. Patent No. US10033469B2, issued 29 August 2013, and issued 24 July 2018. https://patents.google.com/patent/US10033469B2/en. 
  • Deng, Z. Daniel, Mitchell J. Myjak, Thomas J. Carlson, Jie Xiao, Huidong Li, Samuel S. Cartmell, Jun Lu, Honghao Chen, M. Bradford Eppard, and Mark E. Gross. Acoustic transmission devices and process for making and using same. U.S. Patent No. US10033470B2, filed 29 August 2014, and issued 24 July 2018. https://patents.google.com/patent/US10033470B2/en.
  • Capobianco, Joseph Albert, Dana Lynn Hankey, Marshall Campion Tibbetts, and Huidong Li. Piezoelectric devices. U.S. Patent No. US9478728B2, filed 24 December 2013, and issued 25 October 2016. https://patents.google.com/patent/US9478728B2/en.
  • Shih, Wei-Heng, Wan Y. Shih, and Huidong Li. Lead-free piezoelectric ceramic films and a method for making thereof. U.S. Patent No. US8715575B2, filed 26 June 2013, and issued 6 May 2014. https://patents.google.com/patent/US8715575B2/en.  
  • Deng, Z. Daniel, Yang Yang, Jun Lu, Huidong Li, Jayson J. Martinez, and Brett D. Pflugrath. Aquatic Organism Monitoring Devices and Aquatic Organism Monitoring Methods. U.S. Patent No. US2021148881A1, filed 18 November 2020, and issued 20 May 2021. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20210148881A1/en.  
  • Yang, Liping, Qiu Zhong, Huidong Li, and Ye Tao. Molten-state suspended ellipsoidal droplet image processing algorithm based on dual-camera vision. U.S. Patent No. US-2023160799-A1, filed 9 April 2021, and issued 25 May 2023. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230160799A1/en.  
  • Yegingil, Hakki, John-Paul Mcgovern, Sabine Ohler, Daniel DeClement, Christian L. Martorano, Huidong Li, Joseph Capobianco, Matthew H. Foster, and Richard Martorano. Self-powering headset, devices and related methods. U.S. Patent No. US8143765B1, filed 30 January 2009, and issued 27 March 2012. 
    https://patents.google.com/patent/US8143765B1/en.  
  • Deng, Z. Daniel, Jun Lu, Huidong Li, and Jayson J. Martinez. Organism Monitoring Devices and Organism Monitoring Methods. U.S. Patent No. US2022361460A1, filed 17 May 2021, and issued 17 November 2022. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20220361460A1/en.
  • Kunapuli, Raghujit Prasad, Praveen Thallapally, Peter B. Mcgrail, Deng Zhiqun, Jian Liu, Huidong Li, Jun Lu, and Debasis Banerjee. Surface acoustic wave sensor for refrigerant leakage detection. U.S. Patent No. US2022326183A1, filed 25 August 2020, and issued 13 October 2022. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20220326183A1/en.  
  • Deng, Z. Daniel, Huidong Li, Jun Lu, and Jayson J. Martinez. Aquatic Organism Tracking Devices, Systems and Associated Methods. U.S. Patent No. US2021027615A1, filed 16 July 2020, and issued 28 January 2021. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20210027615A1/en.  
  • Deng, Z. Daniel, Jun Lu, Huidong Li, Jayson J. Martinez, and Mitchell J. Myjak. Organism monitoring devices and organism monitoring methods. U.S. Patent No. US12096747B2, filed 1 March 2021, and issued 24 September 2024. https://patents.google.com/patent/US12096747B2/en. 
  • Yang, Liping, Qiu Zhong, Jun Wang, Huidong Li, Ye Tao, Wenbing Wang, Zijun XU, and Caiyun Luo. Surface tension measurement method based on axisymmetric droplet contour curve. U.S. Patent No. US2022148212A1, filed 22 January 2020, and issued 12 May 2022. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20220148212A1/en.  
  • Shih, Wei-Heng, Wan Y. Shih, Zuyan Shen, Huidong Li, and Xiaotong Gao. Sol-gel precursors and methods for making lead-based perovskite films. U.S. Patent No. US9431598B2, filed 6 November 2007, and issued 30 August 2016. https://patents.google.com/patent/US9431598B2/en.
  • Deng, Zhiqun, Huidong Li, Jun Lu, Bingbin Wu, Jayson J. Martinez, and Jie Xiao. Acoustic aquatic tracking transmitter. U.S. Patent No. US-2023405635-A1, filed 9 June 2023, and issued 21 December 2023. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230405635A1/en.  

Publications

2025

2024

  • Deters, K.A., R.P. Mueller, S. Larson, J.M. Janak, H. Li, J.J. Martinez, and R.A. Harnish, et al. 2024. "Development of optimal methods for collection, transportation, holding, handling and tagging of juvenile American shad." Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 34, no. 2:731 - 751. PNNL-SA-177983. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11160-024-09835-5
  • Lu, J., J. Liu, W. Hwang, J.J. Martinez, H. Li, and Z. Deng. 2024. Mercury Detection Utilizing an Aquatic Animal as a Remote-Sensing Platform. PNNL-36613. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Mercury Detection Utilizing an Aquatic Animal as a Remote-Sensing Platform.

2023

  • Wu, B., H. Ouro-Koura, S. Lu, H. Li, X. Wang, J. Xiao, and Z. Deng. 2023. "Functional Materials for Powering and Implementing Next-Generation Miniature Sensors." Materials Today 69. PNNL-SA-186034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mattod.2023.09.001.  

2022

  • Deng, Z., J. Lu, H. Li, and J.J. Martinez. 2022. "An Acoustic Transmitter with Intelligent ON/OFF Mechanisms and Quasi-location Awareness." In The 15th ACM International Conference on Underwater Networks and Systems (WUWNet 2021), November 23-26, 2021, Vitrual, Online, Art. No. 17. New York, New York:ACM. PNNL-SA-167694. https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3491315.3491358.
  • Li, H., J. Lu, M.J. Myjak, S.A. Liss, R.S. Brown, C. Tian, and Z. Deng. 2022. "An Implantable Biomechanical Energy Harvester for Animal Monitoring Devices." Nano Energy 98. PNNL-SA-166095. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2022.107290.
  • Wu, B., G.J. Harvey, H.D. Whitbread, H. Li, Z. Deng, and J. Xiao. 2022. Pushing the Limits of Micro battery Capacity and Energy. PNNL-32631. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Pushing the Limits of Micro battery Capacity and Energy.
  • Yang, Y., J. Lu, B.D. Pflugrath, H. Li, J.J. Martinez, S. Regmi, and B. Wu, et al. 2022. "Lab-on-a-Fish: Wireless, miniaturized, fully integrated, implantable biotelemetric tag for real-time in vivo monitoring of aquatic animals." IEEE Internet of Things Journal 9, no. 13:10751-10762. PNNL-SA-156950. https://doi.org/10.1109/JIOT.2021.3126614.

2021

  • Deng, Z., H. Li, J. Lu, J. Xiao, M.J. Myjak, J.J. Martinez, and Y. Wang, et al. 2021. "An Acoustic Micro-transmitter Enabling Tracking of Sensitive Aquatic Species in Riverine and Estuarine Environments." Cell Reports Physical Science 2, no. 5:100411. PNNL-SA-138486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrp.2021.100411.
  • Li, H. 2021. A Miniaturized Long-Life, Low-Frequency Acoustic Transmitter for Fish Tracking in Marine Environment - CRADA 447 (Abstract). PNNL-SA-159602. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. https://doi.org/10.2172/1827782.
  • Li, H., Z. Deng, J. Lu, J.J. Martinez, B. Wu, and X. Zang. 2021. "A miniaturized long-life acoustic transmitter for animal tracking in marine environments." In Global Oceans 2020: Singapore - U.S. Gulf Coast, October 5-30, 2020, Biloxi, MS, 1-4. Piscataway, New Jersey:IEEE. PNNL-SA-155697. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/IEEECONF38699.2020.9389355.
  • Lu, J., H. Li, C. Tian, M.J. Myjak, J. Xiao, B.J. Bellgraph, and S. Cartmell, et al. 2021. "A Frequency-Programmable Miniaturized Radio Frequency Transmitter for Animal Tracking." Sensors 21, no. 19:Article No.6683. PNNL-SA-131089. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21196683.
  • Thallapally, P.K., J. Liu, H. Li, J. Lu, J.W. Grate, B.P. McGrail, and Z. Deng, et al. 2021. Surface Acoustic Wave Sensors for Refrigerant Leak Detection - CRADA 402 (Final Report). PNNL-32268. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Surface Acoustic Wave Sensors for Refrigerant Leak Detection - CRADA 402 (Final Report).

2019

  • Fischer, E.S., S.E. Blackburn, S.A. Liss, J.S. Hughes, H. Li, and Z. Deng. 2019. "How Small Can We Go? Evaluating Survival, Tag Retention, and Growth of Juvenile Chinook Salmon Implanted with a New Acoustic Microtag." North American Journal of Fisheries Management 39, no. 6:1329-1336. PNNL-SA-144456. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10367.
  • Li, H., D. Zhou, J.J. Martinez, Z. Deng, K.I. Johnson, and M.P. Westman. 2019. "Design and Performance of Composite Runner Blades for Ultra Low Head Turbines." Renewable Energy 132. PNNL-SA-131139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2018.08.110.
  • Liss, S.A., K.R. Znotinas, S.E. Blackburn, E.S. Fischer, H. Li, J.S. Hughes, and Z. Deng. 2019. Tagging a smaller size class of fish: can it be done?. PNNL-29192. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Tagging a smaller size class of fish: can it be done?.

2018

  • Wang, Y., Q. Li, S. Cartmell, H. Li, S.A. Mendoza, J. Zhang, and Z. Deng, et al. 2018. "Fundamental understanding and rational design of high energy structural microbatteries." Nano Energy 43. PNNL-SA-129983. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2017.11.046.

2017

  • Deng, Z., J.J. Martinez, H. Li, R.A. Harnish, C.M. Woodley, J.S. Hughes, and X. Li, et al. 2017. "Comparing the survival rate of juvenile Chinook salmon migrating through hydropower systems using injectable and surgical acoustic transmitters." Scientific Reports 7. PNNL-SA-113136. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep42999.
  • Wang, Y., S.S. Cartmell, Q. Li, J. Xiao, H. Li, Z. Deng, and J. Zhang. 2017. "A reliable sealing method for microbatteries." Journal of Power Sources 341. PNNL-SA-119837. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2016.12.024.

2016

  • Li, H., C. Tian, J. Lu, M.J. Myjak, J.J. Martinez, R.S. Brown, and Z. Deng. 2016. "An Energy Harvesting Underwater Acoustic Transmitter for Aquatic Animals." Scientific Reports 6. PNNL-SA-116757. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep33804.
  • Lu, J., Z. Deng, H. Li, M.J. Myjak, J.J. Martinez, J. Xiao, and R.S. Brown, et al. 2016. "A SMALL LONG-LIFE ACOUSTIC TRANSMITTER FOR STUDYING THE BEHAVIOR OF AQUATIC ANIMALS." Review of Scientific Instruments 87, no. 11:114902. PNNL-SA-110558. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4967941.

2015

  • Deng, Z., T.J. Carlson, H. Li, J. Xiao, M.J. Myjak, J. Lu, and J.J. Martinez, et al. 2015. "An injectable acoustic transmitter for juvenile salmon." Scientific Reports 5. PNNL-SA-104621. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep08111.
  • Li, H., K. Jung, and Z. Deng. 2015. "Piezoelectric transducer design for a miniaturized injectable acoustic transducer." Smart Materials and Structures 24, no. 11:115010. PNNL-SA-108101. https://doi.org/10.1088/0964-1726/24/11/115010.

2014

  • Chen, H., S.S. Cartmell, Q. Wang, T.J. Lozano, Z. Deng, H. Li, and X. Chen, et al. 2014. "Micro-battery Development for Juvenile Salmon Acoustic Telemetry System Applications." Scientific Reports 4. PNNL-SA-84994. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep03790.
  • Cook, K.V., R.S. Brown, Z. Deng, R.S. Klett, H. Li, A. Seaburg, and M.B. Eppard. 2014. "A comparison of implantation methods for large PIT tags or injectable acoustic transmitters in juvenile Chinook salmon." Fisheries Research 154. PNNL-SA-98032. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2013.11.006.
  • Li, H., C. Tian, and Z. Deng. 2014. "Energy Harvesting From Low Frequency Applications Using Piezoelectric Materials." Applied Physics Reviews 1, no. 4:041301. PNNL-SA-104573. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4900845.

2013

  • Brown, R.S., Z. Deng, K.V. Cook, B.D. Pflugrath, X. Li, T. Fu, and J.J. Martinez, et al. 2013. "A field evaluation of an external and neutrally buoyant acoustic transmitter for juvenile salmon: implications for estimating hydroturbine passage survival." PLoS One 8, no. 10:e77744. PNWD-SA-10136. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0077744.

2012

  • Li, H., Z. Deng, and T.J. Carlson. 2012. "Piezoelectric materials used in underwater acoustic transducers." Sensor Letters 10, no. 3/4:679-697. PNNL-SA-84860. http://dx.doi.org/10.1166/sl.2012.2597.
  • Li, H., Z. Deng, Y. Yuan, and T.J. Carlson. 2012. "Design Parameters of a Miniaturized Piezoelectric Underwater Acoustic Transmitter." Sensors 12, no. 7:9098-9109. PNNL-SA-82854. https://doi.org/10.3390/s120709098.