Wenwu Xu
2017-present
Dr. Wenwu Xu received his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Beijing University of Technology (China) in 2011. He then pursued postdoctoral research at Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena (Germany) in 2012 and The University of Manchester (U.K.) in 2013-2015. In 2016, he joined the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of California, Merced as a postdoc and then as a lecturer. In August 2017, Dr. Xu joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University as an Assistant Professor. In 2023, Dr. Xu became a tenured Associate Professor. He directs the Multiscale Modeling of Materials Lab, leading research that connects computational materials science, microstructure characterization, field-assisted processing, and nanoscale structure-property relationships.
My journey to SDSU
From Hunan to San Diego: a playful animated look at my education, research, and teaching journey. 1 min 25 sec — press play to watch.
Read the journey as a text timeline
- 1982–1996Yiyang, Hunan · Growing up in China
- 1996–1999Xiangtan · School years
- 1999–2003Jishou University
- 2003–2006Guilin University of Technology
- 2006–2009Beijing University of Technology · Doctoral studies
- 2009Jena, Germany · Visiting research
- 2011Beijing University of Technology · PhD awarded
- 2012Friedrich Schiller University Jena · Postdoctoral research
- 2013–2015The University of Manchester · Research in the United Kingdom
- 2015University of California, Berkeley · A California visit
- 2015The University of Manchester · Back to Manchester
- 2016–2017University of California, Merced · Research and teaching
- 2017–presentSan Diego State University · Mechanical Engineering, M3 Lab
My conference journey
From doctoral research to presentations, collaborations, and symposium leadership: conference activities from 2008–2026, with a look ahead to TMS 2027. 2 min 36 sec — press play to watch.
Download video (MP4)English and Traditional Chinese subtitles · Original instrumental score
Read the conference timeline and roles
Based on the September 10, 2026 CV: 22 past meeting records, including one virtual meeting, and one future meeting. Coauthored research contributions are distinguished from speaking and organizing roles.
- 2008 · DalianChina Conference on Thermochemistry & Thermal AnalysisXu-first-authored proceedingsNanocrystalline Sm-Co alloys: phase constitution and stability.
- 2010 · ShenyangNational Conference on Phase Diagrams & Materials DesignXu-first-authored presentation listedFrom polycrystalline to nanocrystalline systems: the thermodynamics of metastable phases.
- 2011 · BeijingChina Steel ConferenceCoauthored conference contributionPreparation and characterization of ultrafine nanocrystalline Sm-Co alloys.
- 2012 · ChangzhouPhase Diagrams & Materials DesignCoauthored proceedings contributionsNanocrystalline lithium alloys and their phase stability.
- 2013 · Vung TauIWNA 2013Coauthored proceedings contributionAtomic-scale simulation of solid metal growing onto a heterogeneous nucleant.
- 2015 · OrlandoTMS 2015Xu-first-authored proceedingsWatching ultrasound cavitation in molten Al-Cu through synchrotron radiography.
- 2017 · ThessalonikiEUROMAT 2017Xu-first-authored presentation listedExploring how the magnesium / magnesium-oxide interface forms.
- 2017 · BostonMRS Fall MeetingXu-first-authored presentation listedNanomechanics and size effects in nanocrystalline aluminum.
- 2018 · PhoenixTMS 2018 / CDSM 2018Two Xu-first-authored presentations listedQuantum interface stability meets atomistic and experimental studies of aluminum.
- 2019 · Indianapolis5th World Congress on ICMEXu-first-authored presentation listedDesigning a bimodal microstructure for improved metal-fatigue resistance.
- 2020 · San DiegoTMS 2020Xu-first-authored presentation listedNew microstructure designs for metal fatigue, alongside collaborative nanomechanics research.
- 2020 · Connected onlineMSE Congress 2020Virtual presentation listedSharing a novel bimodal microstructure for improved fatigue resistance.
- 2021 · Lake Tahoe6th World Congress on ICMECoauthored presentation listedMachine learning and hierarchical multiscale models for metal-matrix nanocomposites.
- 2022 · AnaheimTMS 2022Xu-first-authored presentation listedElectric-field effects on diffusivity and flash sintering of 8YSZ.
- 2023 · San DiegoTMS 2023Session co-organizer & chairConnecting nanocomposite deformation research with a growing role in the conference community.
- 2024 · OrlandoTMS 2024Session co-organizer / research coauthorAdvanced characterization, hydrogen embrittlement, and electric-field effects on sintering.
- 2024 · San FranciscoThe Materials ConferenceOral presentationMachine-learning-enabled multiscale modeling of deformation in metal-matrix nanocomposites.
- 2025 · Las VegasTMS 2025Designated speaker & lead symposium organizerAI applications for ICME, multiscale modeling, and field-assisted materials processing.
- 2025 · Anaheim8th World Congress on ICMEDesignated speaker & organizing committee memberBringing machine learning and multiscale mechanics to an international ICME community.
- 2025 · ColumbusMS&T25Coauthored invited presentationElectro-nano-pulsing for grain-boundary engineering. Designated speaker: Eugene Olevsky.
- 2026 · San DiegoTMS 2026Designated speaker & symposium organizerHydrogen at interfaces, electro-nano-pulsing, and field-assisted processing—with student speakers.
- 2026 · San DiegoGFMAT-3 / HTCMC-12Invited speaker & session chairFlash sintering of YSZ: connecting atomistic modeling, experiments, and grain growth.
- 2027 · OrlandoFuture meetingTMS 2027Accepted presentations & symposium leadershipAI for ICME, interfaces, and field-assisted processing: the next chapter with the research group.
Video sources and maps
Conference source: CV v1.44 (September 10, 2026), pp. 6–11 and 31–32. Connections show the chronology of records, rather than actual flight paths.
China chapters retain the complete official PRC standard map, including Taiwan, the South China Sea islands inset, and approval number GS(2016)2923. Beijing Tianditu standard maps · Natural Earth globe coastlines
