Yingchao Yang, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering

The University of Maine
Ferland Engineering Education and Design Center, Room 245
Orono, ME 04469-5711
(207) 581-2523; yingchao.yang@maine.edu

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from University of South Carolina, 2013

External Engagements:

  • Postdoctoral Research Associate, Rice University, 2014-2017

Teaching Areas: (More Information)

Mechanics of Materials; Materials Science and Engineering

Research Areas: (The Nanomaterials & Nanomechanics Laboratory)

  • Structural and Multifunctional Nanocomposites
  • Hierarchical Structures
  • Biomass for Energy Materials
  • Mechanics of Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials
  • Design and Fabrication of Micro-/Nano-Devices

Principal Sponsors:

  • Rice University, University of Maine

Select Research / Collaboration Activities:

  • Design and manufacturing of all-direction motion sensors based on aligned CNT films
  • Functionalization and interface mechanics of two-dimensional nanomaterials and their applications in flexible electronics
  • Hierarchically structured photocatalysts coupled by biomass converted graphene/CNTs and semiconductive nanostructures for water treatment
  • Design and development of nanomanipulation platforms for in situ micro-/nano-mechanics
  • Environmental effect on optical, thermal, and mechanical behaviors of low-dimensional nanomaterials

Select Publications / Conference Presentations:

  • Yang, Y. C., Li, X., Wen, M. R., Hacopian, E., Chen, W. B., Gong, Y. J., Zhang, J., Li, B., Zhou, W., Ajayan, P. M., Chen, Q., Zhu, T., and Lou, J., “Brittle Fracture of 2D MoSe2”, Advanced Materials, 29, No. 2, 1604201, 2017.
  • Yang, Y. C., Liang, X., Chen, W. B., Cao, L. L., Li, M. L., Sheldon, B. W., and Lou, J., “Quantification and Promotion of Interfacial Interactions between Carbon Nanotubes and Polymer Derived Ceramics”, Carbon, 95, pp. 964-971, 2015.
  • Yang, Y. C., Rigdon, W., Huang, X. Y., and Li, X. D., “Enhancing Graphene Reinforcing Potential in Composites by Hydrogen Passivation Induced Dispersion”, Scientific Reports, 3, 2086, 2013.
  • Yang, Y. C., Xu, Z. H., Pan, Z. W., and Li, X. D., “Hydrogen Passivation Induced Dispersion of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes”, Advanced Materials, 24, No. 7, pp. 881-885, 2012.
  • Yang, Y. C., Wang, G. F., and Li, X. D, “Water Molecule-Induced Stiffening in ZnO Nanobelts”, Nano Letters, 11, No. 7, pp. 2845-2848, 2011.

Professional Activities / Memberships:

  • Materials Research Society (MRS)
  • Society of Engineering Science (SES)