Zhou Yu

Dr. Zhou Yu (Joe) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alabama’s College of Engineering. His research bridges computational and experimental approaches to advance battery technology and energy storage materials.

• Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech (2018)
• M.S., Engineering Thermophysics, Shandong University (2015)
• B.S., Thermal Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University (2012)

Dr. Yu specializes in multiscale simulations of advanced functional materials, focusing on structure-property-performance relationships in novel battery systems. His work integrates machine learning with molecular dynamics to optimize electrolyte design for lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and magnesium batteries. Key areas include electrochemistry, fluid mechanics, and transport phenomena in energy storage systems.

His recent publications emphasize electrolyte stability, solvation dynamics, and redox flow battery optimization. Notable trends include fluorinated solvent design, nanoscale aggregation effects, and data-driven modeling of ion transport. Collaborative projects with institutions like Argonne and Los Alamos National Laboratories highlight his focus on high-performance computing and experimental validation in battery research.