Deng Weiwei is a Professor and Department Head of the Department of Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen, China. Previously, he served as an Associate Professor with tenure at Virginia Tech (2015-2017) and as an Assistant Professor at the University of Central Florida (2010-2015). He completed his postdoctoral training at Yale University (2008-2010) after earning his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Yale in 2008. His educational background includes: Bachelor of Engineering Mechanics from Tsinghua University (1995-1999) Master of Engineering Mechanics from Tsinghua University (1999-2001) Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Yale University (2003-2008) Deng's research focuses on experimental fluid dynamics of micro- and nanoscale systems , particularly examining droplets, jets, and thin films. His work bridges fundamental fluid mechanics with practical applications in printing technologies, solar cell fabrication, and advanced manufacturing. He has made significant contributions to understanding electrohydrodynamic phenomena, droplet impact dynamics, and the controlled generation of microstructures through electrospray techniques. His laboratory has discovered novel fluid dynamics phenomena, including the resonance between light pressure perturbations and droplet instability, leading to uniform droplet splitting. The team also pioneered "electrofluidic disk atomization," using high-frequency AC electric fields to control jet instabilities. These discoveries have enabled more precise control over droplet generation processes, with applications in microfabrication and printing. Deng's scholarly output shows a clear progression from fundamental electrohydrodynamics to applied manufacturing technologies. His early work focused on basic electrospray mechanisms and droplet generation, while more recent publications emphasize applications in solar cell fabrication, flexible electronics, and advanced printing techniques. The consistent thread throughout is the manipulation of microscale fluid phenomena for technological advancement. His notable recognition includes: NSF CAREER Award (2015) Deng leads an active research group that has secured multiple major grants, including a National Natural Science Foundation of China special project (2020), a key project (2019), and a general project (2018). Prior to returning to China, he led three National Science Foundation projects in the United States. His student entrepreneurial team won first prize in the Southeast region of the Clean Energy Entrepreneurship Competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, receiving $100,000 in startup funding and an invitation to visit the White House. The DENGLab at SUSTech focuses on experimental fluid mechanics research with emphasis on microscale phenomena. The lab regularly hosts photography competitions to document fluid phenomena visually, demonstrating Deng's commitment to both scientific rigor and creative presentation of research findings.







