Lizhi Sun

Lizhi Sun is a Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the Samueli School of Engineering, University of California, Irvine. His research focuses on micro/nanomechanics of heterogeneous composite materials with applications spanning civil, mechanical, aerospace, electronic, and biomedical engineering disciplines. He maintains the Smart Nanocomposites Lab at UCI and has established himself as a leading researcher in advanced materials mechanics.

Education:

• Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, Structural Mechanics, 1998
• M.S., University of California, Los Angeles, Civil Engineering, 1997
• M.S., Peking University, China, Solid Mechanics, 1990
• B.S., Zhejiang University, China, Engineering Mechanics, 1987

Professor Sun's research centers on the micro/nanomechanics of heterogeneous composite materials, with particular emphasis on magnetorheological elastomers, computational mechanics, and multiscale modeling approaches. His work bridges fundamental mechanics with practical applications in civil infrastructure, aerospace systems, and biomedical devices. Recent research has expanded into sustainable materials, energy harvesting from waste materials, and AI-enhanced computational mechanics for structural analysis.

Professor Sun's publication record demonstrates consistent leadership in materials mechanics, with a noticeable shift toward sustainable engineering solutions and AI integration in recent years. His work spans from fundamental micromechanics to practical applications in structural health monitoring and energy harvesting. The interdisciplinary nature of his research is evident in publications spanning civil engineering, materials science, mechanical engineering, and biomedical applications.

Scientific Awards:

• Fellow of AAAS (2017)
• Fellow of ASCE's Engineering Mechanics Institute (2014)
• UCI Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor of the Year (2013)
• AFRL Faculty Fellow (2011)
• UCI School of Engineering Fariborz Maseeh Best Faculty Research Award (2008)
• Honda Research Initiation Award (2006)
• Iowa Chapter Chi Epsilon Special Recognition Award (2003)
• University of Iowa Old Gold Fellow (2003)
• University of Iowa CARVER Research Award (2000)
• UCLA Engineering School Outstanding Ph.D. Award (1998)

Professor Sun has secured significant research funding from diverse sources including NSF, Army, Air Force, Navy, Northrop Grumman, and Honda R&D. He serves as editor of the International Journal of Damage Mechanics and associate editor for several ASCE journals. With over 180 publications including 95 peer-reviewed journal papers, he has organized more than 50 symposia and reviewed for over 80 journals and 10 funding agencies. His professional service includes leadership roles in ASCE committees focused on nanomechanics and multiscale behavior.

Professor Sun leads the Smart Nanocomposites Lab at UCI, which focuses on developing advanced materials with applications in structural health monitoring, energy harvesting, and sustainable engineering solutions. The lab employs both experimental and computational approaches to investigate material behavior across multiple scales, from nanoscale interactions to macroscopic structural performance.