Peridynamics-Based Modeling Professors and Supervisors

Zhen ChenView profile

Professor

University of Missouri , ColumbiaUnited States

Zhen Chen is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Nuclear Engineering Program at the University of Missouri, with an adjunct appointment in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He specializes in blast-resistant design, nanotechnology, and simulation-based engineering science. His research focuses on material failure under extreme conditions, multi-scale modeling, and computational mechanics. He has received prestigious awards including the NSF CAREER Grant and ASME Fellowship. Education: PhD (University of New Mexico), MS (University of New Mexico), BE (Shanghai University). Prior to MU, he worked at Sandia National Laboratories and the New Mexico Engineering Research Institute. Research Interests: Blast-resistant structural systems Nanoporous materials and nanotechnology Material point method (MPM) and computational modeling Multi-scale simulation of materials Failure mechanisms in metals and composites Recent work emphasizes fluid-solid interactions in explosion-resistant designs, strain localization in laminated glass, and atomistic studies of nanoporous materials. Over 200 peer-reviewed articles demonstrate his contributions to computational mechanics and material science. Awards and Grants: NSF CAREER Award (2015) ASME Fellow (2019) Funding from NSF, AFOSR, ARO, and Sandia National Labs His work bridges micro- and macro-scale phenomena, with applications in aerospace, civil infrastructure, and defense systems. Active collaborations span mechanical, nuclear, and materials engineering disciplines.

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Marc Alexander SchweitzerView profile

Professor

Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of BonnGermany

Marc Alexander Schweitzer is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Bonn and affiliated with Fraunhofer SCAI. His work focuses on numerical methods and computational mechanics, particularly meshfree methods, peridynamics, and algebraic multigrid techniques. He contributes to advancing computational tools for engineering and materials science applications. Research interests include partition of unity methods, multiscale modeling, fracture mechanics, and efficient linear solvers. His work integrates mathematical theory with practical computational challenges, such as adaptive algorithms and parallel computing. Publications highlight contributions to peridynamic fracture models, scalable solvers for material design, and visualization of fracture progression in particle-based systems. Collaborative efforts with Fraunhofer SCAI emphasize industrial applications and algorithmic innovation.

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Xiaochuan TianView profile

Associate Professor

University of California, San DiegoUnited States

Dr. Xiaochuan Tian is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). She holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Columbia University (2017) and has held academic positions including Assistant Professor at UCSD (2020–2024), R.H. Bing Instructor at the University of Texas at Austin (2017–2020), and Postdoctoral Researcher at Columbia (2017). Her research focuses on numerical analysis, nonlocal models, fractional PDEs, and meshfree methods. She has secured grants including an NSF CAREER Award (2023) and Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship (2023). Research interests include nonlocal modeling, calculus of variations, asymptotic compatibility, and multiscale methods. Notable contributions span nonlocal function spaces, asymptotically compatible schemes, and numerical methods for integro-differential equations. She advises three PhD students and teaches advanced courses such as Numerical PDEs and Computational Mathematics. Her work has been recognized with awards like the SIAM Review SIGEST Award (2019) and AWM Dissertation Prize (2018). Grants: NSF DMS-2240180 (2023–2028) NSF DMS-2111608 (2021–2024) Awards: ICBS Frontiers of Science Award (2024) SIAM Outstanding Paper Prize (2016) Labs/Teams: Center for Computational Mathematics (CCoM) at UCSD Research Group on Nonlocal Modeling

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Vincent MeunierView profile

Professor

Pennsylvania State UniversityUnited States

Vincent Meunier is the P. B. Breneman Chair and Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), where he also serves as Department Head. He holds joint appointments in Engineering Science and Mechanics and Physics. His research focuses on computational and theoretical nanoscience, with expertise in density functional theory, electronic structure, energy storage, quantum materials, and Raman modeling. Meunier earned his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Namur (Belgium) in 1999. Before joining Penn State in 2022, he was a department head and endowed chair at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the American Physical Society (APS), and the Institute of Physics (IOP). Education: Ph.D. in Physics, University of Namur (Belgium), 1999 Affiliations: College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, College of Engineering Science and Mechanics His research group develops large-scale computational methods to study atomic-scale properties of materials, emphasizing low-dimensional systems such as graphene and nanoribbons. Collaborating with experimentalists, his work bridges quantum mechanics at the nanoscale and practical applications in energy storage and electronics. Grants & Projects: Includes U.S. Navy-funded studies on strain rates in graphene and National Science Foundation projects on peridynamics frameworks and 2D nanopores. Labs/Teams: Leads a multidisciplinary team focusing on computational materials science and nanotechnology.

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Jinseok KimView profile

Associate Professor

Western Michigan UniversityUnited States

Jinseok Kim is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Western Michigan University. His research focuses on computational solid mechanics, non-local mechanics, and plate/shell theories, with a particular emphasis on finite element methods and electromechanical coupling phenomena. He has contributed to advancements in peridynamic modeling, piezoelectric materials, and multi-scale structural analysis. Key research areas include the development of stabilized non-ordinary peridynamic models for electromechanical systems, analysis of functionally graded porous micro-plates under thermomechanical loads, and investigation of size-dependent behaviors in nano-scale structures. His work integrates analytical methods, meshless numerical approaches, and advanced finite element techniques to address challenges in multi-physics coupling and structural stability. Recent publications highlight contributions to piezoelectric nanoplate dynamics, hygro-thermo-electro-mechanical coupling effects, and nonlinear finite element analysis of porous micro-structures. Kim’s methodologies often involve innovative correction techniques for surface effects in peridynamic models and exploration of higher-order plate theories for enhanced accuracy in micro/nano-scale simulations.

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Andrey JivkovView profile

Professor

The University of ManchesterUnited Kingdom

Andrey Jivkov is a Professor of Solid Mechanics at the School of Engineering, University of Manchester. He specializes in multi-scale modeling of material behavior, fracture mechanics, and computational mechanics. His research integrates experimental and theoretical approaches to understand material degradation, deformation, and environmental effects. He holds a PhD from Lund University and has contributed to projects like the MaPoS initiative, focusing on mechanics and physics of solids. Education: PhD, Strain-assisted corrosion cracking, Lund University (2002) MPhil, Crack growth in functionally graded materials, Lulea University (2000) MSc, Earthquake-resistant structural design, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (1994) Research Interests: Multi-scale modeling of solids Fracture mechanics and structural integrity Coupled multiphysics phenomena Advanced materials for nuclear and aerospace applications Grants & Projects: MaPoS: Mechanics and Physics of Solids (UKRI-funded) ParaGEMS: Integrating discrete exterior calculus into computational frameworks Awards: Chair of European Structural Integrity Society’s Technical Committee 2 (2018) EPSRC Fellowship in Geometric Mechanics of Solids (2016) Scientific Advisory Board Member, IASMiRT (2017) Advising: Currently supervising 8 PhD students across topics like nuclear graphite, peridynamic modeling, and porous media transport. Labs/Teams: Leads the Modelling and Simulation Centre and collaborates with the Dalton Nuclear Institute.

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Jinjie LiuView profile

Professor

Delaware State UniversityUnited States

Dr. Jinjie Liu is a Professor in the Division of Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science at Delaware State University. His research focuses on numerical analysis and mathematical physics, particularly in electromagnetics, nonlinear optics, metamaterials, and semiconductor devices. He holds a B.S. from the University of Science and Technology of China (2001), an M.S. (2003), and Ph.D. (2006) from Stony Brook University, followed by postdoctoral training at Arizona State University and the University of Arizona. Research Highlights: Development of advanced FDTD methods for material interfaces and nonlinearities. Investigation of transformation optics and cloaking phenomena. Simulations of semiconductor devices and hydrodynamic electron fluid models. Awards: DSU Vice President’s Choice Awards for Research (2013). Selected Projects: Transformation Optics Based Local Mesh Refinement Subpixel Smoothing FDTD Method Invisibility Cloaking Simulation

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Mirmilad MirsayarView profile

Assistant Professor

Florida Institute of TechnologyUnited States

Dr. Mirmilad Mirsayar is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), affiliated with the Department of Aerospace, Physics, and Space Sciences. He leads the Metacomposites Integrity Research Lab (MIR-Lab), focusing on advanced composites, fracture mechanics, and additive manufacturing. Prior to FIT, he held postdoctoral and research roles at Texas A&M University. He earned his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M in 2017. His research interests include fracture mechanics of advanced materials, computational mechanics, and additive manufacturing. He has secured major grants, including an NSF Standard Research Grant and a NASA equipment award. Notable achievements include recognition as a World's Top 2% Researcher (2021–2024) and multiple Outstanding Reviewer Awards. His lab emphasizes nature-inspired metacomposites and structural health monitoring. Equipment includes advanced testing systems (e.g., fatigue testing, DIC setup) and additive manufacturing tools. Current projects involve mixed-mode fracture mechanics in functionally graded microcellular solids. Dr. Mirsayar has advised numerous graduate students, including Victor Bautista, Behnam Shahbazian, and Niall Harris. His work bridges theory, experimentation, and innovation in aerospace and civil engineering applications.

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Chenfeng LiView profile

Professor

Swansea UniversityUnited Kingdom

Professor Chenfeng Li FLSW is Chair in Civil Engineering at Swansea University and Co-Director of the Zienkiewicz Institute for Modelling, Data and AI. An internationally recognized expert in computational engineering, he develops innovative solutions for civil infrastructure, materials science, and energy sectors. Professor Li's research focuses on computational mechanics, uncertainty quantification, and risk assessment. His methods address technical challenges in water-energy-food systems, geotechnical engineering, and manufacturing. Collaborations with industry leaders like ARUP, Costain, and Bauer translate research into practical applications for infrastructure and construction. Key research areas include: Stochastic finite element methods Multiscale modeling of materials Fluid-structure interaction Uncertainty quantification in complex systems Digital reconstruction of microstructures He leads the module 'Design and Analysis for Temporary Works' for MSc Civil Engineering students, providing continuing professional development for industry practitioners. Honors include Fellowship in the Learned Society of Wales. Professor Li serves as Editor-in-Chief of Engineering Computers and contributes to international research networks addressing global infrastructure challenges.

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Hao TianView profile

Professor

Schloss Dagstuhl - Leibniz Center for InformaticsGermany

Hao Tian is a professor at Georgia State University's Department of Computer Science, with affiliations at institutions including Hubei University of Economics, University of Alberta, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Trustworthy Computing. His research spans interdisciplinary domains at the intersection of computer science, applied mathematics, and engineering. Key research areas include: Machine learning architectures for image and signal processing Graph-theoretical methods for pattern recognition Federated learning and edge computing frameworks Fuzzy systems for industrial process control Numerical methods in computational mechanics Recent publications demonstrate trends in: Higher-order network representation and learning Physics-informed neural networks for financial modeling Peridynamic models for crack propagation analysis Transformer-based approaches in point cloud processing His work has been applied to municipal solid waste incineration, biomedical imaging, and smart city infrastructure, reflecting a strong engineering focus.

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Alessandro TasoraView profile

Professor

University of ParmaItaly

Alessandro Tasora is a Full Professor at the University of Parma in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Department of Engineering and Architecture . He directs the Digital Dynamics Lab and serves as Scientific Director of the Smart Production Lab 4.0 . His work spans theoretical mechanics, robotics, and high-performance computing. Director, Digital Dynamics Lab (2019–present) Scientific Director, Smart Production Lab 4.0 (2017–present) National Scientific Qualification for Full Professor (2016) Honorary Associate, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2009–present) Research focuses on non-smooth multibody dynamics , GPU-accelerated simulation , and industrial robotics . He developed the Chrono::Engine software for multibody physics and HyperOCTANT for NLCP problems. His work addresses granular flows in nuclear reactors, vehicle mobility on deformable terrain, and historical structural analysis. Key article trends include GPU-based HPC for large-scale simulations, cone complementarity in contact dynamics, and isogeometric beam formulations for flexible bodies. Collaborations with Argonne National Laboratory and Fraunhofer ITWM highlight his international impact. Top-SNIP Paper (2017) International CAE Conference Poster Award (2015) Best Paper, Asian Conference on Multibody Dynamics (2010) TOP4 Paper, RAAD Robotics Workshop (2011) He has supervised over 40 theses in automation, tribology, and robotics. Grants include FFABR-MIUR , US Army RIF , and CNR projects . Projects involve seismic protection, autonomous AGVs, and Industry 4.0 consulting.

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Bernd MarkertView profile

Professor

RWTH Aachen UniversityGermany

Prof. Bernd Markert serves as Professor and Head of the Institute of General Mechanics at RWTH Aachen University's Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. He concurrently holds critical university-wide roles including Rector's Representative for Alumni and Rectorate Mandate for Mexico Cooperation, based in Aachen's Faculty of Mechanical Engineering building. His research spans computational mechanics with emphasis on phase-field modeling, molecular dynamics, and machine learning integration. Key focus areas include biodegradable magnesium alloys for biomedical implants, multiscale composite material behavior, and AI-enhanced structural failure prediction. Recent work bridges physics-based simulations with neural networks for constitutive modeling and corrosion prediction. Analysis of his 2022-2025 publications reveals accelerating convergence of mechanics and artificial intelligence, particularly in physics-informed neural networks for crystal plasticity and phase-field frameworks. His team demonstrates consistent innovation in modeling porous media, network materials, and biomechanical systems while maintaining strong industry-relevant applications in additive manufacturing and biomedical engineering. As Institute Head, Markert leads the Chair and Institute of General Mechanics (IAM), directing research on fundamental mechanics principles applied to advanced materials and structural systems through computational and experimental methodologies.

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Michael ZaiserView profile

Professor

University of Erlangen–NurembergGermany

Professor Michael Zaiser is a distinguished academic at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), where he holds the Chair of Materials Simulation within the Department of Materials Science. Since 2012, he has led research in computational materials science, with prior appointments at the University of Edinburgh where he served as Professor of Mechanics of Materials (2008-2012), Reader (2005-2007), and Lecturer (2001-2005). He maintains significant international collaborations as a Visiting Professor at Imperial College London since 2014 and previously served as Adjunct Professor of Physics at Michigan Technological University (2006-2012). Professor Zaiser's research spans computational materials science with particular expertise in dislocation dynamics, plasticity, fracture mechanics, and hierarchical materials. His work bridges theoretical physics and practical materials engineering, developing innovative computational approaches to understand material behavior at multiple scales. His research group employs advanced simulation techniques including continuum dislocation dynamics, peridynamics, and phase field modeling to investigate fundamental mechanisms of material deformation and failure. Recent work has focused on disordered mechanical metamaterials, hierarchical structures, and the relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties. Analysis of Professor Zaiser's recent publications reveals a strong focus on multiscale modeling approaches that connect atomic-level phenomena with macroscopic material behavior. His work demonstrates increasing integration of machine learning techniques with traditional computational methods, particularly in predicting material failure. The research spans diverse material systems including metals, ceramics, foams, and composites, with consistent emphasis on understanding how microstructural features govern mechanical properties. A notable trend is the investigation of hierarchical and disordered structures to achieve superior mechanical performance. Professor Zaiser leads an active research group at FAU's Department of Materials Science, supervising numerous doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers. His work has been supported by various research grants enabling extensive computational resources and collaborative opportunities with international institutions. His research group maintains strong connections with the Max Planck Society, Fraunhofer Institutes, and Helmholtz Association, reflecting FAU's position as one of Germany's most research-intensive universities. The research laboratory under Professor Zaiser's leadership focuses on computational materials science, with particular emphasis on developing and applying advanced simulation methodologies. The group maintains close collaborations with experimental researchers to validate computational predictions and guide new experimental investigations. Recent work has increasingly incorporated machine learning approaches alongside traditional physics-based modeling to address complex materials challenges.

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Yunteng WangView profile

Senior Lecturer

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences ViennaAustria

Privatdozent Dr. Yunteng Wang is a faculty member at the Institute of Geotechnical Engineering within the Department of Landscape, Water and Infrastructure at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU). He earned his Habilitation in Geotechnical Engineering from BOKU University in 2024 and previously served as an FWF Lise Meitner Research Fellow at the institution (2021-2024). His academic background includes a Ph.D. in Engineering from Chongqing University, China (2013-2019) and a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the same university (2009-2013). Dr. Wang's research focuses on advanced computational methods in geomechanics, particularly in the areas of: Geomechanics and rock mechanics Peridynamics and phase-field modeling Fracture and localization phenomena Data-driven approaches and machine learning applications Geothermal energy extraction mechanics His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward integrating traditional geomechanical modeling with cutting-edge computational techniques, including sophisticated numerical frameworks that combine peridynamics, phase-field methods, and data-driven strategies to address complex fracture and failure phenomena in geological materials. His work spans from fundamental theoretical developments to practical applications in geothermal energy and infrastructure engineering. Dr. Wang has been recognized with notable awards including the Acta Geotechnica Best Paper Prize (2019) and the Excellent Doctoral Dissertation award from the Chinese Society for Rock Mechanics & Engineering (2020). He currently leads three significant research projects funded by the European Commission and industry partners, focusing on: Solid and Fluid Phase Transition of Granular Materials (2026-2030) Modern numerical methods for high-fidelity simulation of geohazards (2025-2029) CO2 enhanced development of HDR and safe capping (2023-2025) Dr. Wang serves as an active member of the scientific community, reviewing for prestigious journals including Computers & Structures, Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Acta Geotechnica, GEOTECTONICS, Geofluids, and Engineering Fracture Mechanics, while also evaluating proposals for organizations like the Vienna International School of Earth and Space Sciences (VISESS).

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