Huck Beng Chew

Huck Beng Chew is a Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). His research focuses on materials science, mechanical engineering, and nanocomposite interfaces, with a particular emphasis on grain boundary dynamics, molecular dynamics simulation, and fracture mechanics. He leads studies on advanced materials such as titanium composites, boron nitride nanotubes, and magnesium alloys, investigating their deformation mechanisms, fatigue behavior, and interfacial strengthening.

Chew’s work bridges experimental and computational approaches, utilizing techniques like synchrotron X-ray diffraction, molecular dynamics modeling, and physics-informed neural networks. His research addresses challenges in additive manufacturing, fracture toughness, and ion-beam interactions with materials. Collaborations span interdisciplinary fields, including aerospace engineering, plasma physics, and nanotechnology.

Notable contributions include studies on cohesive zone laws for fatigue cracks, microvoiding damage modeling, and interfacial mechanics in nanolayered alloys. His work has been published in high-impact journals such as Acta Materialia, Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, and Materialia.

Chew’s research is supported by grants focusing on nanocomposite mechanics and 3D-printed ceramics. His findings advance material design for high-strength applications in aerospace, energy storage systems, and thermal protection materials.