Gu Research Group in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Behavior of Nanostructured Materials
The Gu Group works at the intersection of solid mechanics, materials science and nano-chemistry. We study the mechanical behavior and functional performance of nanostructured and hybrid next generation materials.
Recent News
Elucidating the mechanical behavior of nanocluster-based nanocomposites
Mechanical metamaterials with nanoscale features exhibit exceptional properties, including high specific strength, modulus, energy absorption, and recoverability. The ability to fabricate these metamaterials out of complex nanocomposites could further boost their mechanical properties. Here we explore the reinforcement mechanism of silver nanoclusters in an acrylic polymer matrix.
Published in ACS AMI in May 2025!
Direct observation of strain-enhanced hydrogen segregation and failure at high-angle grain boundaries in nickel
Understanding the mechanisms underlying hydrogen embrittlement remains difficult, even in single-element metals. Both microstructure and stress state influence hydrogen distribution in metals and alloys, which impacts deformation and failure. In this work, a suite of novel in situ investigation techniques are employed to reveal the influence of strain on hydrogen segregation in nickel.
Published in Acta Materialia in July 2025!
Ultrafast high temperature sintering of porous metal sandwich structures
Porous metal sandwich structures were enabled via ultrafast sintering, producing materials with enhanced modulus, and compressive and flexural strength compared to conventionally sintered samples with the same porosity.
Published in Materialia in August 2025!
Open Positions
Prospective postdocs and graduate students who have already been accepted to Stanford University can contact us with a CV, and a request to set up a meeting to discuss research interests.
