Rational material design, optimization,
​synthesis, test and more
OUR PROCESS

Fundamental design of structural materials with
lightweight and bio-inspired functionality   
Develop multiscale modeling and experimental tools to reveal the nanoscopic mechanisms in governing the large scale behavior of biological materials, specifically for their multiple advanced material functions (e.g., thermal, electromagnetic, biological, optical, tunable mechanics and acoustic) over engineering materials. 
Develop high-throughput computational algorithms to enable design and optimization of bio-inspired composite materials by using nanoscopic building blocks. Integrate computational designs with customized additive manufacturing and make structural materials suitable for advanced mechanical, energy, electronic, biomedical or multiple of these applications.
ABOUT the Group

Laboratory for Multiscale Material Modeling, Syracuse University

Research interests:
  • Development of advanced computational modeling methods for designing new materials of advanced material functions.
  • Bottom-up modeling of the multi-scale structure-mechanics relationship of nano- and bio-materials. Fundamental understanding of the material behaviors of biological and synthetic polymeric materials from the most molecular scale to macroscopic length scale.
  • Learn from nature and discover bio-inspired ideas to create and design materials with innovative material functions.
  • Prototyping, optimization and characterization of synthetic composite materials with multiple advanced material functions, for efficient usage of engineering materials.
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Design of sustainable materials with energy efficiency
Lightweight structural material design.
Smart, self-healable materials for repeatable use. 
​Fundamentally design of composite materials.
View Research highlight
PORTFOLIO

Recent Work From the group

For engineering applications, protocols to build stronger materials with less material consumtion are crucial to build reliable, energy efficient and environmentally friendly products. Our recent work focuses on developing advanced computational modeling methods, using them to study fundamental mechanical properties of biological materials and applying the knowledge to design new materials of advanced mechanical, thermal and eletronic functions. We are working toward making materials that have significantly better performance but of lower energy and environmental cost than conventional materials for wide applications. 
View Publications
TESTIMONIAL
, Recent papers:
Multiscale understanding in fracture resistance of bamboo skin J Cui, M Jiang, M Nicola, A Masic, Z Qin Extreme Mechanics Letters (2021), 49, 101480
Design of lightweight and ultrastrong nanoarchitected carbon by a coarse-grained model S Liu, Y Hu, Z Qin Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing (2022), 161, 107066
The design of strongly bonded nanoarchitected carbon materials for high specific strength and modulus, S Liu, K Duan, J Feng, L Li, X Wang, Y Hu, Z Qin, Carbon (2022), 195, 387-394 ​
​Material Function of Mycelium Based Bio-composite: A Review L Yang, D Park, Z Qin, Frontiers in Materials (2021), 8, 374
LET'S TALK

Let's Start Working Together!

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
151L Link Hall, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY. 13244 

Email: zqin02_at_syr.edu
Telephone: 315-443-1038