YZ’s research can be summarized into two words: Matter and Machine. In the realm of Matter, his group synergistically integrates statistical mechanics and molecular fluid mechanics theories, accelerated molecular simulations, understandable AI methods, and neutron scattering experiments to extend our understanding of rare events and long timescale phenomena in complex material systems. Particular emphasis is placed on the physics and chemistry of liquids, glasses, and complex fluids, especially at interfaces, under extreme conditions, or when driven away from equilibrium. Concurrently, on the Machine front, 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. These two research areas, spanning from fundamental to applied, serve as integral pillars in their overarching mission to foster a sustainable, resilient, and secure energy infrastructure.