About
Zhen Yin
Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow
Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
Department of Physical Intelligence
Heisenbergstraße 3
70569 Stuttgart
Germany
email: zyin@is.mpg.de
I am currently a Humboldt post-doc fellow at Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems with Prof. Metin Sitti, focusing on developing novel smart medical implants and miniature soft robots. I did my PhD on solid mechanics and architectured materials under the supervision of Prof. Francois Barthelat at McGill University. My PhD research focused on: (1) Developing novel bioinspired architectured materials with exceptional mechanical performances. (2) Studying the mechanics and multi-functionalities of architectured materials. (3) Exploring the synergies of mechanically dissimilar materials.
My motivation to devote myself to scientific research comes from my belief that the advancement of science and technology can truly improve human life and make a better world for all of us. It was also highly motivated by the aesthetic pleasure that research, creation and discovery bring me. There is beauty in both science and art. Other than research work, I spend much of my time working on art designs, illustrations and drawing. The practice of art gives me a pleasured mixed sense of peace and excitement. It helps me dive deeply into a wonderful spiritual world. I am also very glad to see my artworks bring happiness to my friends.
I am also the founder of The Martlets Society. At the very beginning, it was more like my personal club with friends to discuss research, ideas, and opportunities. Now, with the joint efforts of a group of young scholars sharing the same dream, the society has gathered hundreds of young people with diverse cultural, research and professional backgrounds, from universities, institutions and companies in North America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. The events we are organizing cover diverse topics in physics, biology, robotics, electronics, neuroscience, consulting, etc. We are growing fast and exploring more possibilities.
Education
McGill University 2014 - 2020
Rochester Institute of Technology 2012 - 2014
Fudan University 2008 - 2012
Selected Key Publications
Z. Yin, F. Hannard and F. Barthelat*, Impact resistant nacre-like transparent materials, Science, vol. 364, 2019, pp. 1260-1263
Z. Yin, A. Dastjerdi and F. Barthelat*, Tough and deformable glasses with bioinspired cross-ply architectures, Acta Biomaterialia, vol.75, 2018, pp.439-450
F. Barthelat*, Z. Yin and M.J. Bueshler, Structure and mechanics of interfaces in biological materials, Nature Reviews Materials, vol.1, 2016, 16007 (Cover article)
Experience
Humboldt Post-doc Fellow Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems 2020.10 – present
Founder & President The Martlets Society 2019.11 – present
President McGill Chinese Graduate Student Association 2017.06 – 2018.08
Vice President 2016.09 – 2017.06
Vice president Canada-China Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum 2017.01 – 2018.07
Volunteer lead Fudan Yuanzheng Society/Jiuqian Volunteer Center 2011.07 – 2012.06
Vounteer Fudan Yuanzheng Society/Hands on Shanghai 2009.01 – 2011.06
Media Coverage
Reddit (35.2k ups, 780 comments, 07/03/2019)