Staff Profile

Dr Weicheng Huang is a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering. His research mainly focuses on solid mechanics, nonlinear dynamics, computer graphics, and soft robotics. His career goal is to combine computational mechanics, numerical simulations, machine learning algorithms, and autonomous robotic framework to characterize, analyze, and control the mechanical properties of complex materials and structures, then enhance the performances and enrich the functionalities of soft machines.

Qualifications

• Ph. D. (2017/09 -- 2021/03), Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
• B. Eng. (2013/09 -- 2017/07), Engineering Mechanics, Tongji University, China

Faculty Appointments

• Lecturer/Assistant Professor (2024/02 -- current), School of Engineering, Newcastle University, UK.
• Associate Professor (2021/06 -- 2023/12), School of Mechanical Engineering, Southeast University, China.

Research Interests

Solid Mechanics, Soft Robotics, Computational Mechanics, Computer Graphics, Machine Learning, Nonlinear Dynamics, Deployable Systems.

Google Scholar

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=KbEBKIMAAAAJ&hl=en

Personal Website

https://weicheng-huang-mechanics.github.io/website/

Mechanical Engineering Professional Skills II - MEC2008

Mechanical Engineering Project - MEC3098

Mechanical Engineering Team Project - MEC8099

MSc Project: Mechanical and Systems Engineering - MEC8095

• Articles

  • Shi Q, Huang W, Yu T, Li M. Double-eigenvalue bifurcation and multistability in serpentine strips with tunable buckling behaviors. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids 2025, 195, 105922.
  • Wang Q, Giudici A, Huang W, Wang Y, Liu M, Tawfick S, Vella D. Transient Amplification of Broken Symmetry in Elastic Snap-Through. Physical Review Letters 2024, 132(26), 267201.
  • Huang W, Liu Z, Liu M, Hsia KJ. Snap-through eversion of axisymmetric shells under contact indentation. Proceedings of the Royal Society A 2024, 480, 20240303.
  • Liu Z, Liu M, Hsia KJ, Huang X, Huang W. Simplified discrete model for axisymmetric dielectric elastomer membranes with robotic applications. Thin-Walled Structures 2024, 205(Part A), 112502.
  • Qin L, Peng H, Huang X, Liu M, Huang W. Modeling and simulation of dynamics in soft robotics: A review of numerical approaches. Current Robotics Reports 2024, 5, 1-13.
  • Huang W, Yu T, Hsia KJ, Adriaenssens S, Liu M. Integration of kinks and creases enables tunable folding in meta-ribbons. Matter 2024, 7(9), p3007-3023.
  • Huang W, Yu T, Vella D, Hsia KJ, Liu M. Exploiting dynamic bifurcation in elastic ribbons for mode skipping and selection. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids 2024, 190, 105721.
  • Lai Z, Tang M, Hu X, Shu X, Huang W, Pan Y. Dynamics modeling and motion evaluation of a near-ground tethered balloon cable system under severe wind environments. Actuators 2024, 13(10), 402.
  • Huang W, Xu P, Liu Z. Dynamic modeling of a sliding ring on an elastic rod with incremental potential formulation. Journal of Applied Mechanics 2024, 91(8), 081009.
  • Huang W, Liu T, Liu Z, Xu P, Liu M, Chen Y, Hsia KJ. Discrete differential geometry-based model for nonlinear analysis of axisymmetric shells. International Journal of Mechanical Sciences 2024, 283, 109742.
  • Liu Z, McBride A, Ghosh A, Heltai L, Huang W, Yu T, Steinmann P, Saxena P. Computational instability analysis of inflated hyperelastic thin shells using subdivision surfaces. Computational Mechanics 2024, 73, 257–276.
  • Liu Z, Bian PL, Qu Y, Huang W, Chen L, Chen J, Saxena P, Yu T. A Galerkin approach for analysing coupling effects in the piezoelectric semiconducting beams. European Journal of Mechanics A - Solids 2024, 103, 105145.
  • Huang W, He D, Tong D, Chen Y, Huang X, Qin L, Fei Q. Static analysis of elastic cable structures under mechanical load using discrete catenary theory. Fundamental Research 2023, 3(6), 967-973.
  • Tong D, Choi A, Qin L, Huang W, Joo J, Jawed MK. Sim2real neural controllers for physics-based robotic deployment of deformable linear objects. The International Journal of Robotics Research 2023, 43(6), 791-810.
  • Huang W, Zou H, Pan Y, Zhang K, Zheng J, Li J, Mao S. Numerical simulation and behavior prediction of space net system throughout the capture process: spread, contact, and close. International Journal of Mechanical System Dynamics 2023, 3(3), 265-273.
  • Yang X, Zhou Y, Zhao H, Huang W, Wang Y, Hsia KJ, Liu M. Morphing matter: From mechanical principles to robotic applications. Soft Science 2023, 3, 38.
  • Huang W, Liu M, Hsia KJ. Modeling of magnetic cilia carpet robots using discrete differential geometry formulation. Extreme Mechanics Letters 2023, 59, 101967.
  • Huang W, Zou H, Liu H, Yang W, Gao J, Liu Z. Contact dynamic analysis of tether-net system for space debris capture using incremental potential formulation. Advances in Space Research 2023, 72(6), 2039-2050.
  • Huang W, Zhang Y, Yu T, Liu M. Bifurcations and stability analysis of elastic slender structures using static discrete elastic rods method. Journal of Applied Mechanics 2023, 90(9), 094501.
  • Huang W, Liu M, Hsia KJ. A discrete model for the geometrically nonlinear mechanics of hard-magnetic slender structures. Extreme Mechanics Letters 2023, 59, 101977.
  • Xu P, Zhou Z, Huang W, Chen Q, Lu F, Liu T. The evolution mechanisms of bearing-tension-shear failure modes of FML joints under in-plane dynamic load. Composites Communications 2022, 32, 101174.
  • Huang W, Qin L, Chen Q. Numerical exploration on snap buckling of a pre-stressed hemispherical gridshell. Journal of Applied Mechanics 2022, 89(1), 011005.
  • Huang W, He D, Li Y, Zhang D, Zou H, Liu H, Yang W, Qin L, Fei Q. Nonlinear dynamic modeling of a tether-net system for space debris capture. Nonlinear Dynamics 2022, 110, 2297-2315.
  • Huang W, Qin L, Chen Q. Natural frequencies of pre-buckled rods and gridshells. Applied Mathematical Modelling 2022, 107, 621-636.
  • Huang X, Patterson ZJ, Sabelhaus AP, Huang W, Chin K, Ren Z, Jawed MK, Majidi C. Design and closed‐loop motion planning of an untethered swimming soft robot using 2D discrete elastic rods simulations. Advanced Intelligent Systems 2022, 4(10), 2200163.
  • Huang W, Qin L, Xu P, Lu F, Chen Q. Buckling instability and dynamic response of a planar gridshell under thermal load. Mechanics Research Communications 2022, 125, 103977.
  • Huang W, Ma C, Chen Q, Qin L. A discrete differential geometry-based numerical framework for extensible ribbons. International Journal of Solids and Structures 2022, 248, 111619.
  • Qin L, Zhu J, Huang W. A bottom‐up optimization method for inverse design of two‐dimensional clamped‐free elastic rods. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering 2022, 123(11), 2556-2572.
  • Huang W, Ma C, Qin L. Snap-through behaviors of a pre-deformed ribbon under midpoint loadings. International Journal of Solids and Structures 2021, 232, 111184.
  • Huang W, Jawed MK. Numerical simulation of bundling of helical elastic rods in a viscous fluid. Computers & Fluids 2021, 228, 105038.
  • Huang W, Qin L, Jawed MK. Numerical method for direct solution to form-finding problem in convex gridshell. Journal of Applied Mechanics 2021, 88(2), 021012.
  • Forghani M, Huang W, Jawed MK. Control of uniflagellar soft robots at low reynolds number using buckling instability. Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control 2021, 143(6), 061004.
  • Ma C, Li G, Qin L, Huang W, Zhang H, Liu W, Dong T, Li ST. Analytical Model of Micropyramidal Capacitive Pressure Sensors and Machine‐Learning‐Assisted Design. Advanced Materials Technologies 2021, 6(12), 2100634.
  • Huang W, Wang Y, Li X, Jawed MK. Shear-induced supercritical pitchfork bifurcation of pre-buckled bands, from narrow strips to wide plates. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids 2020, 145, 104168.
  • Huang W, Jawed MK. Numerical exploration on buckling instability for directional control in agellar propulsion. Soft Matter 2020, 16(3), 604-613.
  • Qin L, Huang W, Du Y, Zheng L, Jawed MK. Genetic algorithm-based inverse design of elastic gridshells. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization 2020, 62, 2691-2707.
  • Huang W, Huang X, Majidi C, Jawed MK. Dynamic simulation of articulated soft robots. Nature Communications 2020, 11, 2233.
  • Li X, Huang W, Jawed MK. Discrete elasto-plastic rods. Extreme Mechanics Letters 2020, 38, 100767.
  • Li X, Huang W, Jawed MK. A discrete differential geometry-based approach to numerical simulation of Timoshenko beam. Extreme Mechanics Letters 2020, 35, 100622.
  • Huang W, Jawed MK. Newmark-beta method in discrete elastic rods algorithm to avoid energy dissipation. Journal of Applied Mechanics 2019, 86(8), 084501.

• Book Chapter

  • Huang W, Patterson Z, Majidi C, Jawed MK. Modeling soft swimming robots using discrete elastic rod method. In: Derek A. Paley, Norman M. Wereley, ed. Bioinspired Sensing, Actuation, and Control in Underwater Soft Robotic Systems. Cham: Springer, 2021, pp.247-259.

• Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)

  • Huang X, Huang W, Patterson Z, Ren Z, Jawed MK, Majidi C. Numerical simulation of an untethered omni-directional star-shaped swimming robot. In: IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA 2021). 2021, Xi'an, China: IEEE.