YZ’s research can be summarized into two words: Matter and Machine. On the Matter side, his group studies far-from-equilibrium physics. They synergistically combine and push the boundaries of statistical and stochastic thermodynamic theories, accelerated molecular simulations, understandable AI/ML/DS methods, and neutron scattering experiments, with the goal of significantly extending our understanding of a wide range of long timescale phenomena and rare events. Particular emphasis is given to the physics and chemistry of liquids and complex fluids, especially at interfaces, driven away from equilibrium, or under extreme conditions. On the Machine side, leveraging their expertise in materials and modeling, his group advances the development of soft robots and human-compatible machines, swarm robots and collective intelligence, and robots in extreme environments, which can lead to immediate societal impact.
• Matter
o Far-from-equilibrium physics, long timescale phenomena, and rare events (statistical and stochastic thermodynamic theories, accelerated molecular simulations, understandable AI/ML/DS methods)
o Neutron scattering, sources, and instrumentation
o Physics and chemistry of liquids and complex fluids, especially under interfacial/non-equilibrium/extreme conditions (water, metallic liquids, molten salts, ionic liquids, electrolyte solutions)
• Machine
o Soft robots and human-compatible machines
o Swarm robots and collective intelligence
o Robots in extreme environments
Y Z (Yang Zhang)
Professor, Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, College of Engineering
