Kai A. James

Kai A. James is an Associate Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), with affiliations in Computational Science and Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. (2012) and M.A.Sc. (2006) from University of Toronto, and B.A.Sc. (2004) in Engineering Science. His research focuses on multidisciplinary design optimization, topology optimization, aeroelasticity, and nonlinear mechanics, with applications to aerospace structures, additive manufacturing, and smart materials.

He teaches courses such as Structural Design Optimization (AE 498), Nonlinear Solid Mechanics (AE 598), and Finite Element Analysis (ME 471). His honors include the NSF CAREER Award (2018), Scott White Aerospace Engineering Fellow (2020), and UIUC Teacher of the Year (2017). His work spans academic publications (over 50 journal/conference articles listed) and innovations in topology optimization frameworks for complex systems.

Recent research emphasizes bi-stable structures (e.g., cardiovascular stents, morphing airfoils), thermomechanical design of shape-memory alloys, and spatial packing optimization for engineering systems. His lab, located in Talbot Laboratory, develops computational tools for multiphysics and multiscale design optimization.