Lei Chen

Lei Chen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Mississippi State University, College of Engineering. His research focuses on advanced computational modeling techniques applied to materials and mechanical systems.

Education:

• Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, 2012
• M.E., Materials Processing, Huazhong University of Science & Technology (HUST), China, 2007
• B.E., Materials Processing, Huazhong University of Science & Technology (HUST), China, 2005

His research interests lie at the intersection of computational mechanics and materials science, particularly in fracture modeling, multi-scale simulations, and phase-field methods. He develops and applies advanced numerical techniques to model phenomena such as dendrite growth in batteries, microstructure evolution in alloys, and mechanical behavior of biological and composite materials. His work integrates finite element methods, smoothed finite element methods (S-FEM), and phase-field models with crystal plasticity and multi-physics coupling.

The recent publications highlight a strong trend in computational modeling of energy materials and structural integrity. Key themes include phase-field simulations of lithium dendrite formation, multi-scale modeling of polycrystal grain growth, and advanced fracture mechanics using edge-based strain smoothing techniques. These works span disciplines from battery technology to biomaterials, demonstrating a versatile and impactful research program.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Travel Fellowship, Enabling Methods for Materials Innovation, University of Florida, 2015
• Travel Grant, USNCCM13, 2015
• Z. Hsu Scientific Paper Award, 2015
• Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellowship, QUT, AUS
• Chinese Excellent Self-financed Student Abroad Scholarship, 2012
• President Graduate Fellowship (top 5%), NUS, 2009–2011
• Research Graduate Scholarship, NUS, 2007–2011
• Outstanding Graduate Student Award, HUST, 2006
• Excellent Bachelor Graduate Award, HUST, 2005
• First-Class Scholarship, HUST, 2002–2004

Dr. Chen has advised research students and collaborated extensively with leading researchers such as Long-Qing Chen. His work is supported by academic grants and institutional fellowships. He has contributed to significant advancements in computational methods for fracture and microstructure modeling. He has also published in high-impact journals and presented at major international conferences.

He is actively involved in research related to energy storage systems, additive manufacturing, and biological materials, often leveraging high-performance computing and image-driven simulations. His lab focuses on developing robust and accurate numerical frameworks for predicting material behavior across scales.