Zhan Haifei

Zhan Haifei is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Queensland University of Technology, specializing in computational nanomechanics and advanced materials science. His research program focuses on the mechanical, thermal, and transport properties of novel nanomaterials, with particular expertise in carbon-based nanostructures and two-dimensional materials.

Dr. Zhan received his PhD from Queensland University of Technology in 2013 with a dissertation titled 'Numerical characterization of the mechanical properties of metal nanowires.' His academic career has been marked by consistent research productivity and collaboration with leading scientists in the field of nanomechanics, particularly with Professor Gu, Yuantong at QUT.

Dr. Zhan's research spans multiple cutting-edge areas in nanomaterials science. His pioneering work on diamond nanothreads has established him as a leading expert in this emerging field, where he has characterized their exceptional mechanical properties and thermal transport characteristics through advanced molecular dynamics simulations. He has also made significant contributions to understanding graphene helicoids, bilayer graphene with sp³ linkages, and graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid structures. His research demonstrates how structural modifications at the atomic level can dramatically alter material properties, opening new pathways for nanoscale engineering.

Analysis of Dr. Zhan's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strategic expansion from fundamental nanomechanics to address pressing engineering challenges. His work now bridges multiple disciplines, connecting nanoscale phenomena with applications in renewable energy (tidal energy harvesting), environmental remediation (adsorption of contaminants), and advanced manufacturing (supergravity-steered techniques for nanocomposite hydrogels). This evolution demonstrates his ability to translate fundamental discoveries into practical engineering solutions.

Dr. Zhan maintains an exceptionally productive research program with over 149 publications spanning from 2010 to 2025. His work appears consistently in top-tier journals including Nature Communications, Advanced Functional Materials, Carbon, and Nano Letters, demonstrating both the quality and impact of his research. His citation record reflects significant influence in the field of computational nanomechanics.

Dr. Zhan leads a research group focused on computational nanomechanics at Queensland University of Technology, utilizing high-performance computing resources to conduct large-scale molecular dynamics simulations. His team develops innovative computational frameworks that combine traditional simulation techniques with machine learning approaches, as evidenced by recent work on TurbineNet/FEM for fluid-structure interaction analysis. The group maintains strong connections with experimental researchers to validate computational findings and accelerate the translation of theoretical insights into practical applications.