Sulin Zhang

Dr. Sulin Zhang is a Professor in the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics at Pennsylvania State University, where she investigates the interplay between mechanical forces and materials behavior across materials science, biology, chemistry, and medicine. Her work spans solid-state battery technology, biofilm mechanics, and cellular mechanobiology.

• 2025: Stack Pressure Effects in Silicon Anodes
• 2024: 3D Neural Probes, Liquid Metal Composites
• 2023: Biofilm Nematic Ordering, Plant Cell Wall Mechanics

Her research themes focus on stress generation and mechanical regulation in systems ranging from lithium-ion anodes to biofilm morphogenesis. She employs in situ microscopy, agent-based modeling, and machine learning to analyze mechanical-chemical-electrochemical couplings. Key trends include anisotropic material failure, nanoparticle-cell interactions, and self-organizing microbial systems.

Recent funding includes a $2.14M NIH grant (2022) for nerve regeneration scaffolding development. While no explicit awards are listed, her work has been highlighted in Nature Physics and PNAS Nexus, indicating high visibility in interdisciplinary research.