Education
- Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2004
- Ph.D., Tsinghua University, China, 1999
- B.S., Tsinghua University, China, 1995
Background
Began at Tech in 2005 as an Assistant Professor. Prior he was a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University.
Research
- Mechanics of Materials: Mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms of materials, and multiscale modeling
Dr. Zhu's research focuses on the mechanical behavior of advanced structural materials and energy materials at the nano to macro-scale. He conducts modeling and simulations using the atomistic, continuum and multiscale methods. The goal of his research is to understand and design materials with superior mechanical performance. Recent research projects in his group include the mechanics of ultra-strength materials; 3D-printed metal alloys; electrode degradation in lithium-ion batteries; strengthening mechanisms in high-entropy alloys; fracture in 2D materials; irradiation damage of nuclear materials; hydrogen embrittlement of alloys; and development of multiscale modeling methods.
- Young Investigator Medal, Society of Engineering Science, 2014
- Sia Nemat-Nasser Early Career Award, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2013
Representative Publications
- J. Ren, et al. 2022. Strong yet ductile nanolamellar high-entropy alloys by additive manufacturing. Nature, 608, 62–68.
- L. Wang, et al. 2022. Tracking the sliding of grain boundaries at the atomic scale. Science, 375, 1261–1265.
- Q. Ding, et al. 2019. Tuning element distribution, structure and properties by composition in high-entropy alloys. Nature, 574, 223-227.
- T. Zhu and J. Li 2010. Ultra-strength materials. Progress in Materials Science, 55, 710-757.
- T. Zhu, et al. 2008. Temperature and strain-rate dependence of surface dislocation nucleation. Physical Review Letters, 100, 025502.