Zhen Liu

Zhen Liu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas's Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. Their research focuses on interfacial phenomena, surface engineering, heat transfer, and energy and fluids systems.

Education:

• PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Rice University (2024)
• MS, Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics, Xi’an Jiaotong University (2019)
• BS, Energy and Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University (2016)

Recent research explores interfacial dynamics in soft robotics (2024), contamination control via nanostructures (2023), biotic actuator design (2022), and fluid behavior under extreme vacuum conditions (2022). Earlier work focused on enhancing condensation efficiency for energy systems (2019). All studies intersect mechanical engineering, materials science, and interfacial phenomena.

Scientific Awards:

• Rice MECH Research Excellence Award (2024)
• The Ig Nobel Prize in Mechanical Engineering (2023)
• Micro Flow and Interfacial Phenomena Conference Travel Awards (2023, 2022)
• XJTU Graduate Freshman Outstanding Scholarship (top 1%, 2016)