I am a highly dedicated researcher in the field of continuum dynamics, specializing in surface/interface wave theory and its various applications. My expertise spans across multiple disciplines, including thin film stability, robotics, metamaterials, structural and motion biomimetics, aeroacoustics, microfluidics, et al. Throughout my academic career, I have made significant contributions to the field, including:

(1) To address the challenge of classical wave theory in describing non-reciprocal, non-local, and non-unique waves in time-varying media, we proposed a theoretical model for elastic waves in time-varying continuous media. We introduced the generalized Snell’s law for the spatiotemporal interface in time-varying media and provide a geometric solution for the Snell-transcendence equation. The geometric interpretation of the evanescent wave was explained for the first time, and the fundamental scattering law of elastic waves in time-varying media was clarified. On the other hand, we proposed a “weak-solution-based infinitesimal element method” to analysis the non-local and non-unique waves in time-varying media. It also addressed the “infinite energy flow density” of the “accompanying shock waves at spatiotemporal interfaces”, thus clarified the basic scattering law of elastic waves in time-varying media. Additionally, the “four-dimensional multiscale homogenization method” for spatiotemporal crystals was proposed. The homogenized wave equations and Willis-material property tensor of spatiotemporal crystals were rigorously derived, resulting in an explicit expression of elastic wave group velocity vectors and the first theoretical prediction of peculiar wave characteristics such as inversion asymmetry and non-hyperbolicity of elastic waves in spatiotemporal crystals.

(2) Given the challenge of describing the complex and essential dynamic adhesive contact behavior, we established an “interfacial wave dynamics model” for dynamic adhesive contact. Using vibration and wave theories, we derived a set of nonlinear multiscale differential equations to descibe the dynamic adhesive contact problem. We obtained explicit expressions for the adhesive contact force and adhesion strength under the action of a high-frequency oscillating external field. The theoretically-predicted contact force was in high agreement with the experiments. The classical JKR theory was found to be a special case of this theory and is only accurate to a certain degree. On the other hand, based on the dynamic adhesive contact theory, a new technology of microvibration adhesion regulation has been developed. This technology, utilizing high-frequency microvibrations, eliminates the need for bionic microstructures. By adjusting the vibration frequency and amplitude in real-time using advanced algorithms, the adhesion strength can be accurately controlled. This new technology significantly improves the performance and indicators of artificial adhesion, such as adhesion strength and cyclic life, which have been improved by orders of magnitude, surpassing traditional technology. Additionally, this technology overcomes the limitations of traditional bionic adhesion technology, which often lacks balancing in various performance indicators.

(3) Research has been conducted on the winkling instability of substrate-free films. An analytical expression has been developed based on the theory of hyperelasticity and large deformation to describe the buckling behavior of stress-electric coupling of dielectric-elasto-films. The mechanism of instability of force-electric coupling of dielectric-elasto-films was revealed. On the other hand, we described the deep-post-buckling behavior of substrate-free thin films and the effect of initial defects on quasi-static instability analytically. Additionally, we are concentrating on propose improvements and refinements to the classical theory of substrate-free thin film instability, as well as the development of a wave-structure coupled nonlinear dynamics theory of deeply buckled thin films. The goal is to promote deep cross-fusion of wave theory and surface interface mechanics.

I have published 40+ SCI-indexed papers in prestigious journals such as Nature Communications and Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids. Additionally, I have led 8 projects, including the “National Natural Science Foundation of China”, and have been authorized 3 Chinese invention patents. The 10 representative achievements in the last 5 years are as follows:

Ø  PUBLICATIONS

(1).     Shui, Langquan#; Jia, Laibing#; Li, Hangbo; Guo, Jiaojiao; Guo, Ziyu; Liu, Yilun; Liu, Ze*; Chen, Xi*. (2020/03). Rapid and continuous regulating adhesion strength by mechanical micro-vibration. Nature Communications.

(2).     Shui, Langquan; Liu, Yilun*; Li, Bo*; Zou, Chenbang; Tang, Chao; Zhu, Liangliang; Chen, Xi*. (2019/01). Mechanisms of electromechanical wrinkling for highly stretched substrate-free dielectric elastic membrane. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids.

(3).     Zhu, Liangliang; Yang, Pengfei; Li, Feng; Wang, Kai; Shui, Langquan*; Chen, Xi*. (2022/02). On the snake-like lateral un-dulatory locomotion in terrestrial, aquatic and sand environments. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids.

(4).     Zhang, Yidu#; Jia, Xiangzheng#; Liu, Yongshou; Gao, Enlai*; Shui, Langquan*. (2024/07). Waves in elastic bars under axial constant velocity loading. International Journal of Mechanical Sciences.

(5).     Zhang, Yidu; Shui, Langquan*; Liu, Yongshou; Liu, Ze. (2021/11). Generation of buckling and wrinkling in elastic films: The effect of initial imperfection. Physical Review E.

(6).     Shui, Langquan#; Yan, Weidong#; Zhang, Yujie; Xu, Lihan; Gao, Enlai; Liu, Ze*; Zheng, Quanshui*. (2022/09). Peeling mechanics of film-substrate system with mutually embedded nanostructures in the interface. International Journal of Solids and Structures.

(7).     Yan, Yingbo; Shui, Langquan*; Liu, Siyu; Liu, Zeming; Liu, Yilun*. (2022/10). Terrain Adaptability and Optimum Contact Stiffness of Vibro-bot with Arrayed Soft Legs. Soft Robotics.

Ø  GRANTS

(8).     National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC): Study on rate-dependence of the surface adhering and debonding process in viscoelastic soft materials (No. 12372099, 2024-2027).

(9).     National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC): Study on the dynamic mechanism of instability of compressed substrate-free film and its wave properties under deeply wrinkled states (No. 11902226, 2020-2022).

Ø  PATENT(S)

(10).   Chinese Invention Patent: No. CN201911139874.4 (2019-11).