Biography

Professor Yang Xu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Data and Systems Engineering at The University of Hong Kong. He obtained his Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering and his M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Southern California (USC), as well as his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Automation from Beihang University. Prior to joining HKU, Professor Xu worked as a postdoctoral research associate at UC Berkeley. His research focuses on AI for Design and Advanced Manufacturing (ADAM Lab). His current research projects include intelligent additive manufacturing, agentic AI for science, and physical AI for manufacturing.

Professor Yang Xu has published his research work in prestigious journals including Nature Communications, Additive Manufacturing, Advanced Materials, and Small. During his Ph.D., Prof. Yang Xu was given the Best Paper Award in MSEC2020, Best Ph.D. Dissertation Award in USC’s Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and the William F. Ballhaus Jr. Prize for Excellence in Graduate Engineering Research - Viterbi Engineering School’s Best Ph.D. Dissertation Finalist Award.

Research Interests

• Intelligent Additive Manufacturing: AI-enabled process control and optimization
• Advanced Structural and Functional Materials: Extreme-environment composites, ceramics, and metamaterials.
• Agentic AI for Science: LLM-enabled scientific discovery and materials design
• Physical AI for Manufacturing: Embodied intelligence in robotic manufacturing

Opportunities for Research

• Ph.D. and MPhil positions: Students with B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Automation, Computer Science, Robotics, Material Science or related fields are welcome to apply. Please send me your CV and academic transcripts and indicate your research interests. Please visit https://www.yxu195.com/join for the latest news.
• Postdoc positions: Dr. Yang Xu is looking for postdoctoral research fellows in broad areas of additive manufacturing, intelligent manufacturing, robotics, AI, and material science. Please send me your CV with the publication list and research interests. Please refer to https://www.yxu195.com/join for the latest news.

Selected Publications

Journal Papers:

• Ming Li, Anran Mao, Qingwen Guan, Yang Xu, Chang Li, Gang Lu, Eduardo Saiz, “Nature-inspired innovation in electrical engineering technologies and applications.” Advanced Science, 2025. (http://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202512250)
• Dou Hu, Bing Liu, Xiaoxuan Li, Jia Sun, Tao Li, Yang Xu, Hejun Li, Qiangang Fu, “A Multi-Step Deposition Strategy for β-SiC Coatings on C_f/C Composites: Achieving Breakthrough Oxidation Resistance and Mechanical Properties.” Advanced Science, 2025. (http://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202517256)
• Jie Jin, Fangzhou Zhang, Yulong Yang, Chengqian Zhang, Haidong Wu, Yang Xu, Yong Chen. “Hybrid Multimaterial 3D Printing Using Photocuring‐While‐Dispensing.” Small, 2023. (https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202302405)
• Han Xu, Shuai Chen, Renzhi Hu, Muqun Hu, Yang Xu, Yeowon Yoon, Yong Chen. “Continuous Vat Photopolymerization for Optical Lens Fabrication.” Small, 2023. (https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202300517)
• Yang Xu, Huachao Mao, Zhengyu Du, Weijia Yan, Zhuoyuan Yang, Cenyi Liu, Jouni Partanen, Yong Chen. “Hopping Light Vat Photopolymerization for Multiscale Fabrication.” Small, 2023. (https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202205784, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hygI6lhBQIM)
• Yeowon Yoon, Yang Xu, Yong Chen, “Hierarchical Porous Structure Fabrication via Hybrid Stereolithography and Inkjet Printing with Sacrificial Liquid.” Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, 2022. (https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4055893)
• Yang Xu, Fangjie Qi, Huachao Mao, Songwei Li, Yizhen Zhu, Jingwen Gong, Lu Wang, Noah Malmstadt, Yong Chen. “In-situ Transfer Vat Photopolymerization for Transparent Microfluidic Device Fabrication.” Nature Communications, 2022. (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-28579-z, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmbMU-z5xyA)
• Ye Yang, Songwei Li, Han Xu, Yang Xu, Yong Chen, “Fabrication of flexible microheater with tunable heating capabilities by direct laser writing and selective electrodeposition.” Journal of Manufacturing Processes, 2022. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmapro.2021.11.045)
• Laiming Jiang, Gengxi Lu, Yang Yang, Yang Xu, Fangjie Qi, Jiapu Li, Benpeng Zhu, Yong Chen, “Multi-channel Piezo-ultrasound Implant with Hybrid Waterborne Acoustic Metastructure for Selective Wireless Energy Transfer at Megahertz Frequencies.” Advanced Materials, 2021. (https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202104251)
• Yang Xu, Yizhen Zhu, Yifeng Sun, Jie Jin, Yong Chen, “A Vibration-assisted Separation Method for Constrained-surface-based Stereolithography.” Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, 2021. (https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4048445)

• Yang Xu, Ziqi Wang, Siyu Gong, Yong Chen, “Reusable Supports for Additive Manufacturing.” Additive Manufacturing, 2021. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addma.2021.101840,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BupCUV9YQs&t)
• Yang Xu, Fangjie Qi, Xiangyun Gao, Yujie Shan, Yun Zhou, Yong Chen, “Direct Droplet Writing – A Novel Droplet-punching Capillary-splitting 3D Printing Method for Highly Viscous Materials.” Procedia Manufacturing, 2021. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2021.06.050, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Orw-TsCaYW0)
• Yang Xu, Qiang Liu. “NURBS Curve Fitting Method Considering Constraint of Streamline Field.” Journal of Computer-Aided Design & Computer Graphics, 2017. (https://www.cnki.com.cn/Article/CJFDTotal-JSJF201701017.htm)

Refereed Conference Proceedings:

• Yang Xu, Fangjie Qi, Xiangyun Gao, Yujie Shan, Yun Zhou, Yong Chen, “Direct Droplet Writing – A Novel Droplet-punching Capillary-splitting 3D Printing Method for Highly Viscous Materials.” Proceeding of 49th SME-North American Manufacturing Research Conference, NAMRC49, Cincinnati, Ohio, June 21-25, 2021. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2021.06.050)

• Yang Xu, Yizhen Zhu, Yifeng Sun, Jie Jin, and Yong Chen, “A Vibration-assisted Separation Method for Constrained-surface-based Stereolithography.” Proceeding of the 2020 International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference, MSEC2020-8453, Cincinnati, Ohio, June 22-26, 2020. (Best Paper Award – 2nd Place, https://doi.org/10.1115/MSEC2020-8453)
• Akshay Bharadwaj, Yang Xu, Atin Angrish, Yong Chen, and Binil Starly, “Development of a Pilot Manufacturing Cyberinfrastructure with an Information Rich Mechanical CAD 3D Model Repository” Proceeding of the 2019 International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference, MSEC2019-2882, Erie, Pennsylvania, June 10-14, 2019. (https://doi.org/10.1115/MSEC2019-2882)

Patents:

• Yong Chen, Huachao Mao, and Yang Xu. “Vat photopolymerization 3d printing method and apparatus.” University of Southern California. U.S. Patent Application 18/294,990. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20250083141A1/en)
• Yong Chen, and Yang Xu. “Automatic reusable support for 3d printing.” University of Southern California. U.S. Patent Application No. 16/615,213. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20210283856A1/en)
• Qiang Liu, Huan Liu, Shengkai Zhou, Chuanjun Li, and Yang Xu. “A kind of quick evaluation Method of Seeking Derivative during non-uniform rational B-spline real-time interpolation.” Beihang University. CN Patent Application No. CN201410338796.1A. https://patents.google.com/patent/CN104133422B/en)
• Qiang Liu, Huan Liu, Shengkai Zhou, Chuanjun Li, and Yang Xu. “Fast evaluation and derivation method in the process of real-time non-uniform rational B spline interpolation.” Beihang University. CN Patent Application No. CN201410338796.1A. https://patents.google.com/patent/CN104133422A/en)