Ran Tao (Assoc)

Dr. Ran Tao is a Materials Scientist in the Materials Measurement Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, MD. She specializes in applying advanced rheological techniques and thermal analysis tools to address various materials science challenges. Her research focuses on investigating the structure-property relationships of polymeric materials, composites, and complex fluids for mission-driven applications, including semiconductors, additive manufacturing, and safety and security. Her interdisciplinary materials research experience encompasses polymers, ceramics, and metals, driving innovation across a wide range of advanced technologies and applications. Dr. Tao is passionate about exploring novel measurement capabilities and simulation tools to solve problems in both fundamental and applied research.

Dr. Tao is currently working on a CHIPS-funded project, addressing critical metrology challenges in the U.S. semiconductor industry, particularly around the accurate measurement of materials properties used in advanced packaging. Leveraging her expertise in thermal analysis and polymer rheology, her research focuses on developing methodologies and metrologies for the characterization of polymer-based encapsulation materials (e.g., epoxy molding compounds and underfills), including cure kinetics, chemorheology, viscoelasticity, thermal and cure shrinkage, and the development of research grade test materials (RGTM). The research goal is to enhance predictive modeling and inform engineering design practices in the industry, thereby accelerating R&D and improving manufacturing efficiency.

Dr. Tao is a key contributor to the division focus project on Additive Manufacturing (AM) of Ceramics. She develops standardized test protocols to establish reproducible rheological metrics critical to 3D printability for feedstock characterization and qualification. This work has directly translated into an interlaboratory study (ILS) toward the development of a potential NIST ceramic suspension reference material. In collaboration with external partners, she is developing in situ Rheo-USAXS capabilities with researchers at the Advanced Photon Source to enable process–microstructure metrology of dense suspensions for ceramics and body armor research.

Dr. Tao is also co-leading a collaborative project on AM of multifunctional materials, supporting innovation in multifunctional hybrid metallic and composite materials and advancing future AM technologies. She collaborates with Prof. Weinan Xu at the University of Tennessee on this effort.

Previously at NIST, Dr. Tao worked on the Metrologies for Non-linear Materials in Impact Mitigation project, where she developed critical calibration methods for orthogonal superposition rheology and collaborated on dynamic covalent materials with researchers at the University of Chicago. Additionally, Dr. Tao led research on ballistic witness materials (BWMs) as part of NIST's Personal Body Armor Project. In that effort, she developed lab-scale rheological protocols and thermophysical characterization methods for standard BWMs and Army Research Laboratory-developed candidate BWMs that informed future documentary standards for body armor testing.

Dr. Tao currently serves as an Executive Board member of the North American Thermal Analysis Society (NATAS) as the Education Councilor. She also serves as a Technical Committee member on Emerging Technologies for the IEEE Electronics Packaging Society (EPS) and a Program Committee member for the IEEE Electronic Components and Technology Conference (ECTC).

Katharine B. Gebbie Young Investigator Award, NIST, 2025 
Outstanding Service Award, North American Thermal Analysis Society, 2024. 
PMSE Young Investigator Award, American Chemical Society, 2022.
MML Accolade, NIST, 2020.
NATAS Student Award, North American Thermal Analysis Society, 2013.
Chancellor's Graduate Fellowship, Texas Tech University, 2010-2014.
Distinguished Undergraduate Award, Sichuan University, 2009.