Shu Yang is the Joseph Bordogna Professor and Department Chair of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Engineering and Applied Science. Her research spans multiple departments, with primary appointments in both Materials Science and Engineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. She directs the Yang Lab, which operates at the intersection of multi-materials synthesis, nano-/microfabrication, and device processing, backed by deep understanding of physical, mechanical and biological principles. Director, Center for Analyzing Evolved Structures as Optimized Products (AESOP) Principal Investigator, NSF NRT: Climate Action and Resilience for Extreme Urban Heat (CLIMATE-CARE) Member of the Engineering Research Visioning Alliance (ERVA) Professor Yang's research focuses on developing novel materials synthesis, assembly and eco-manufacturing of complex, multi-functional, nano- to macrostructured soft, sustainable materials and composites. Her lab addresses fundamental questions centered around surface/interface, actuation mechanisms, and structure-property relationships. Through directed assembly of oligomers, polymers, gels, colloids, liquid crystals, amphiphiles, and their composites with inorganic materials and biomolecules across nano- to macroscales, her team creates complex, multi-functional nano- and microstructures with unique surface, optical, and mechanical properties. Analysis of Professor Yang's recent publications reveals a strong trend toward environmentally responsive materials with applications in sustainability, water harvesting, carbon capture, and climate resilience. Her work increasingly integrates kirigami engineering principles with liquid crystal elastomers to create programmable, shape-morphing materials. The research shows a clear trajectory from fundamental materials science toward real-world applications addressing global challenges, particularly in climate action and sustainable infrastructure. Inaugural Nat Geo 33 Extraordinary Changemaker List 2022 Cozzarelli Prize from PNAS for Class III: Engineering and Applied Sciences Advanced Materials Hall of Fame collection recognition Multiple highly cited papers according to Web of Science Professor Yang's research group has secured significant funding for projects addressing climate change, sustainable materials, and advanced manufacturing. Her lab has developed numerous technologies with potential applications in coatings, adhesives, smart windows, displays, sensors, soft robotics, biomedical devices, dehumidifiers, and carbon-absorbing concrete. The Yang Lab maintains a strong mentoring record with numerous students and postdocs who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. Her group actively collaborates across disciplines, working with biologists, physicists, environmental scientists, and engineers to tackle complex challenges. The Yang Lab operates state-of-the-art facilities for materials synthesis, characterization, and fabrication. The lab is particularly known for its expertise in liquid crystal elastomers, kirigami engineering, and biomimetic materials. The group maintains strong industry partnerships and has filed multiple patents based on their research. Their facilities enable everything from molecular-scale synthesis to macro-scale manufacturing of functional materials, with particular strength in bridging these scales through innovative design principles.
