Research Themes

Magnetic Soft Materials and Topology Optimization

We design magneto-mechanical soft materials with programmable deformation and actuation. Their responses can be controlled through geometry, material distribution, magnetization, and magnetic actuation. Our research integrates modeling, topology optimization, large-deformation mechanics, multi-material design, and computational methods for shape morphing and soft robotic systems.

Modeling and optimization workflow for topology optimized hard-magnetic soft materials.

Topology optimized hard-magnetic soft materials.
Representative Works
  • The nonlinear elastic response of magnetorheological elastomers. Chao Wang, Yingqi Jia, Arvin Ardebili Sharma, Zhi Zhao, and Xiaojia Shelly Zhang. Extreme Mechanics Letters, 102412, 2025.
  • Inverse design of magneto-active metasurfaces and robots: Theory, computation, and experimental validation. Chao Wang, Zhi Zhao, and Xiaojia Shelly Zhang. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 413, 116065, 2023.
  • Tuning buckling behaviors in magnetically active structures: topology optimization and experimental validation. Zhi Zhao, Chao Wang, and Xiaojia Shelly Zhang. Journal of Applied Mechanics, 90(9), 091006, 2023.

Additive Manufacturing and Fabrication-Aware Design

We aim to integrate design-to-fabrication workflows, manufacturing-enabled topology optimization, and process-aware modeling to create reliable, scalable, and fabrication-informed material systems across multiple physical domains and length scales. This direction further advances manufacturing intelligence by linking advanced fabrication strategies, material-programmed responses, and feedback-informed design.

Fabrication-aware design and direct-ink-writing for hard-magnetic soft materials.

Fabrication-aware design and direct-ink-writing for hard-magnetic soft materials.
Representative Works
  • Direct ink writing of magnetic soft materials with optimized printing path. Chao Wang, Zhi Zhao, Zeyu Li, Yingqi Jia, Arvin Ardebili Sharma, and Xiaojia Shelly Zhang. Additive Manufacturing, 105, 104770, 2025.
  • Multiphysics topology optimization of magnetic materials with continuous magnetization orientations. Zhi Zhao, Chao Wang, and Xiaojia Shelly Zhang. Mechanics of Materials, 198, 105089, 2024.

Stochastic Dynamics, Vibration, and Wave Control

We develop computational methods for controlling structural response under uncertainty and dynamic loading. This direction focuses on stochastic dynamic response control, vibration mitigation, wave propagation, and dynamic metamaterials, enabling architected media and metastructures with tunable, robust, and application-driven dynamic responses.

Dynamic response control using topology-optimized architected media and meta-structures.

Dynamic response control using topology-optimized architected media and meta-structures.
Representative Works
  • Optimizing dynamic responses of structures under random vibration. Chao Wang, Yingqi Jia, and Xiaojia Shelly Zhang. To be submitted.
  • Residual seismic performance of fire-damaged reinforced concrete frame structure with metallic yielding dampers. Yingqi Jia, Chao Wang, Lingzhi Li, Ruifu Zhang, and Zhoudao Lu. Journal of Structural Engineering, 148(4), 04022003, 2022.
  • Simplified design of elastoplastic structures with metallic yielding dampers based on the concept of uniform damping ratio. Ruifu Zhang, Chao Wang, Chao Pan, Hua Shen, Qingzi Ge, and Luqi Zhang. Engineering Structures, 176, 734-745, 2018.

Application-Driven Intelligent Engineering Systems

We translate computational design and advanced manufacturing methods into applications in biomedical robotics, resilient civil infrastructure, and aerospace structures. Across these areas, our goal is to create lightweight, adaptive, resilient, and mechanically intelligent engineering systems.

Wireless implantable soft robot for mechanotherapy.
Wireless implantable soft robot for mechanotherapy.
Representative Works
  • Wireless magnetic robot for precise hierarchical control of tissue deformation. Chao Wang, Zhi Zhao, Joonsu Han, Arvin Ardebili Sharma, Hua Wang, and Xiaojia Shelly Zhang. Advanced Science, 11(35), 2308619, 2024.
  • Systems and Methods for Wireless Magnetic Mechanotherapy. Xiaojia Shelly Zhang, Hua Wang, Chao Wang, Zhi Zhao, Joonsu Han, and Arvin Sharma. US Patent App. 19/187,538, 2025.
NoteCollaboration

We welcome conversations with researchers and practitioners working in computational mechanics, materials, dynamics, robotics, manufacturing, infrastructure systems, and aerospace structures.