My name is Xinyu Wang (王馨玉 in Chinese). I’m a Postdoc Researcher at the University of Michigan in the Department of Physics. My research is multidisciplinary, focusing on designing soft and functional materials. Combining theory, simulation, and experiment, I work on various mechanical metamaterials, liquid crystals, liquid crystal elastomers, and tensegrity structures.
Professional Training
2023.7- now, Postdoc, University of Michigan, Physics, Advisor: Prof. Xiaoming Mao
2021.2-2023.6, Postdoc, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Physics, Advisor: Prof. Rui Zhang
2018.9-2020.9, Visiting student, University of Pennsylvania, Physics, Advisor: Prof. Randall Kamien & Prof. Shu Yang
2015.9-2021.3, Ph.D, Southeast University, Civil Engineering, Advisor: Prof. Jian Feng & Prof. Jianguo Cai
2011.8-2015.6, B.S., Southeast University, Civil Engineering
Let’s get in touch!
Office : 2425 Randall, 450 Church St, Ann Arbor, 48109
Email : [email protected]
News
2026.01: Our paper “Topological mechanical metamaterial for robust and ductile one-way fracturing” is appearing in Nature Communications. I had great fun working on this project!
2026.01: I am teaching a Studio section of Physics 250 Physics for Life Science II, at the University of Michigan. It’s nice to work with students and the teaching team.
2025.03: I gave a contributed presentation “Topological mechanical metamaterial for robust ductile one-way fracture” at the Global Physics Summit. It was excited to connect with old and new friend!
2025.01: I joined the APS FECS committee as Communication Officer in January 2025! Looking forward to serving the community.
2024.09: I gave a talk (Mechanical metamaterials from geometry and topology) at the University of Science and Technology of China, invited by Prof. Chenhui Peng and Prof. Jinghua Jiang. Thank you so much for hosting me!
2024.08: I presented her work “Topological mechanical metamaterial for robust ductile one-way fracture” and “Moiré effect enables versatile design of topological defects in nematic liquid crystals” at The 8th International Soft Matter Conference (ISMC), Raleigh, NC State, US. “”Moiré effect enables versatile design of topological defects in nematic liquid crystals” was selected as an oral presentation.
2024.03: I talked about our recent work (Fracturing and Controlled Cracking Path in Topological Maxwell Lattice) at APS March Meeting, Minneapolis.
2023.11: I visited UPenn and gave a seminar (Moiré effect enables versatile design of topological defects in nematic liquid crystals), hosted by Prof. Randy Kamien (the best advisor ever!). Had a great time seeing new and old friends! Thanks a lot for taking great care of me!
2023.07: I started my new journey, as a postdoc in University of Michigan, Physics.
