Institute of photonics, Leibniz University Hannover

Prof. Xiaoying Zhuang’s key research area is Computational Mechanics and Machine Learning for the modelling and design of novel photonic systems, metamaterials and nanostructures. She has developed numerous innovative and robust numerical methods including level-set methods, partition-of-unity methods (such as mesh-free methods, XFEM formulations, phantom node methods and finite cover methods), multiscale methods, phase field models and error-driven adaptive methods developed and implemented. She also has experience with coupled (hydro-mechanical, thermo-mechanical, thermo-hydro-mechanical and electro-mechanical) problems, uncertainty analyzes/uncertainty quantification as well as inverse methods and optimization processes. She has applied innovative numerical methods to solve complex problems in engineering, solid state physics, and materials science. The research focus of Sofja Kovalevskaja Project funded by the Humboldt Foundation is the modeling, optimization and development of polymer composite materials. Her onging ERC Starting Grant is focused on the optimization and development of piezoelectric and flexoelectric nano-energy converters.