Zhang's research is centered on advanced manufacturing. He is specifically interested in renewable energy manufacturing, ultrasonic vibration-assisted processes and additive manufacturing for health. His current research topics include: biomass preprocessing (pelleting and size reduction), relationships between cellulosic biomass structural features and enzymatic hydrolysis sugar yield, rotary ultrasonic machining of high performance materials, fiber reinforced additive manufacturing, and 3D bioprinting of living tissues for wound healing.