Jul 2025—present
Postdoctoral Fellow
Nanyang Technological University · Singapore
Metastability engineering, ultrafast-processed ceramics, and additively manufactured Ni-based superalloys for demanding mechanical and hydrogen-service environments.
Wangshu Zheng (Wayne)
Postdoctoral Fellow · Nanyang Technological University · Singapore
I explore how metastability can be engineered to make structural materials stronger, more damage-tolerant, and more adaptive.
My research combines constrained phase transformations, designed interfaces, and rapid non-equilibrium processing to turn traditionally passive reinforcements into active structural constituents that dissipate energy, redistribute stress, and delay damage. My work spans metal–ceramic composites, shape-memory materials, ultrafast processing, multiscale characterization, and micro-/nano-mechanics.
- Research Focus
- Metastability engineeringMetal-matrix compositesExtreme-condition mechanics
- Research Thrust
- Ultrafast processingMicroscopy & scatteringMicro-/Nano-mechanics
I · Biography
Professional appointments
Sep 2020—Jul 2024
Manager, Electron Microscopy Group
Institute of Composite Materials @ SJTU · Shanghai
Coordinated daily operations and maintenance, trained more than 20 users, organized more than 10 workshops, and introduced an inclusive instrument-scheduling system.
2018—2019
Research Assistant
Institute of Med-X Research @ SJTU · Shanghai
Worked on liquid-metal nanostructures and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for molecular diagnosis.
Education
2020—2025
Dual Ph.D. in Materials
Nanyang Technological University × Shanghai Jiao Tong University · Singapore × Shanghai
Zhiyuan Honor Program. Outstanding Ph.D. Thesis (top 1%) and Outstanding Graduate of Shanghai (top 5%). Thesis: Metastable Aluminum Matrix Composites: Transformation-Induced Mechanical Robustness.
2016—2020
B.Eng. in Materials
Shanghai Jiao Tong University · Shanghai
Hsu Tzuyao Honor Class. Outstanding Bachelor's Thesis (top 1%) and Outstanding Graduate of Shanghai (top 5%).
2019
Exchange student (Research)
University of Oxford · Oxfordshire
Graphene processing and environmentally considerate polymer-fibre fabrication in the Grobert group; Overseas Study Scholarship.
2015
Exchange student (Course)
Martin-Luther-Gymnasium in Germany · Thüringen
Course exchange in Math, Physics, Chemistry.
II · Research
A
Metal matrix composites and interface design
I study how matrix constraint, reinforcement architecture, and interfacial chemistry govern load transfer and damage in lightweight composites.
Small-angle neutron scattering, electron microscopy, and local mechanical tests connect precipitation or element redistribution to strain hardening, interfacial fracture, and energy absorption. The aim is aluminium and multi-metal systems that remain manufacturable while gaining strength, deformability, and damage tolerance.
- Matrix constraint
- Balanced interfacial zones
- Heterogeneous architectures
B
Shape-memory ceramics, alloys and composites
I use martensitic transformation as a load-bearing mechanism in ceramics, alloys, and their composites.
Shape-memory ceramic and NiTi constituents are embedded as particles, fibres, granular packings, cermets, and interpenetrating networks. Constraint from the surrounding matrix controls phase stability and transformation strain, supporting recovery, superelasticity, damping, impact resistance, and adaptive load redistribution.
- Phase stability
- Superelastic response
- Energy absorption
C
Non-equilibrium processing and extreme materials
I use rapid thermal histories and additive manufacturing to retain phases and interfaces that conventional processing loses.
Ultrafast sintering and joining, reactive interlayers, rapid quenching, and active cooling are paired with multiscale characterization to resolve vitrification, crystallization, reaction kinetics, and defect evolution. These routes target ceramics, joints, and alloys for heat, hydrogen, impact, and other demanding environments.
- Ultrafast sintering and joining
- Additive manufacturing
- Heat · hydrogen · impact
III · Works
A Metal matrix composites & interfacesB Shape-memory systemsC Non-equilibrium & extremes
Featured works
A
Acta Materialia · 311, 122074
Aging-mediated element redistribution to strengthen and toughen ceramic/metal interfaces
Connects aging-controlled interfacial chemistry with SANS, TEM, and local mechanical testing to identify a balanced interfacial zone for strength and toughness.
A
Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials · Accepted
Enhanced plastic deformability of SiCp/Al composites via compatible pre-oxidized silica-rich interlayers
Uses compatible silica-rich interlayers to improve deformability in SiCp/Al composites while preserving an interface designed for reliable load transfer.
B
Materials Research Letters · 13, 51–59
A transforming interpenetrating-phase cermet with high strength and energy absorption efficiency
Uses an interpenetrating zirconia–aluminium architecture to combine transformation-enabled toughening, robust interfaces, and distributed energy absorption.
B
Acta Materialia · 276, 120118
Tuning metastable austenite in a phase-transforming ceramic via matrix constraint
Establishes how chemical stabilization and aluminium-matrix constraint can program metastable austenite in transformation-enabled ceramic–metal composites.
B
Nature Communications · 14, 7103
Realizing reversible phase transformation of shape memory ceramics constrained in aluminum
Demonstrates reversible martensitic transformation inside aluminium and shows how confinement, interfaces, force-chain transfer, and matrix flow accommodate transformation strain.
Other published & accepted work
Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials · Accepted
Deformable and transformable nitinol alloys enable enhanced strain hardening in aluminum ↗
Corresponding authorMaterials China · 45, 754–763
Strengthening and toughening metal matrix composites via transformation engineering ↗
First author · ReviewPh.D. thesis · Nanyang Technological University
Metastable Aluminum Matrix Composites: Transformation-Induced Mechanical Robustness ↗
Ph.D. thesisMaterials & Design · 260, 115190
Strength–toughness synergy in CrCoNi–Al hierarchical lamellar composites rendered by constituent grain size matching ↗
Co-authorMaterials Science and Engineering: A · 935, 148380
Strength–ductility synergy in CrCoNi medium entropy alloy-reinforced aluminum matrix composites with heterogeneous laminated structures ↗
Co-authorInternational Journal of Plasticity · 180, 104077
Multi-functional amorphous/crystalline interfaces rendering strong-and-ductile nano-metallic-glass/aluminum composite ↗
Corresponding authorJOM · 76(7), 3604–3621
Design of shape memory ceramics: principles, strategies and perspectives ↗
First author · ReviewJournal of Materials Science · 59, 9768–9801
Heterostructured metal matrix composites for structural applications: a review ↗
Co-author · ReviewNano Letters · 24, 3843–3850
Ultrastrong and deformable aluminum-based composite nanolaminates with transformable binary intergranular films ↗
Co-authorMaterials Science and Engineering: A · 862, 144455
Impact of graphene (reduced graphene oxide) incorporation on the aging behavior and mechanical properties of Al–Mg–Si alloy ↗
Co-authorMaterialia · 21, 101290
Impact of the reduced graphene oxide (RGO) on the ageing kinetics of Al–Mg–Si alloy with different grain sizes ↗
Co-authorRelated and adjacent work
Polymer Bulletin · 83, 569
Effect of 2-methylimidazole as a functional latent accelerator on the properties of low-temperature-curable silver conductive paste ↗
Co-authorCorrosion Science · 270, 114066
Multi-scale computational screening strategy of Ag–oxide reactive air brazing fillers for highly stable YSZ/Crofer 22 H joint in solid oxide fuel cell ↗
Co-authorChemical Engineering Journal · 522, 167382
Selectively passivated core-satellite cobalt–iron bimetallic phosphide with optimized *OH adsorption for boosting oxygen evolution reaction ↗
Co-authorInorganic Chemistry Frontiers · 10, 3852–3859
Unique sandwich structure of Ru@TiO₂: salicylic acid microetching from K₂Ti₂O₅ and high-performance electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution ↗
Co-authorACS Applied Energy Materials · 4, 7882–7890
Enhancing the long-term photoelectrochemical performance of TiO₂/Si photocathodes by coating of Ti-doped mesoporous hematite ↗
Co-authorScientific Reports · 7, 17277
The highly efficient photocatalytic and light harvesting property of Ag–TiO₂ with negative nano-holes structure inspired from cicada wings ↗
Co-authorPreprints & manuscripts under review
Transformation plasticity in metals activated by shape-memory ceramics
First authorLeveraging rapid sintering to retain metastable zirconia in copper ↗
First and corresponding authorStrong-yet-deformable interfaces to achieve mechanical robustness in CrCoNi–Al bimetal composites
Corresponding authorSize-dependent strength–plasticity synergy in crystalline–amorphous nanocomposites
Corresponding authorManuscripts in progress
Strong yet ductile nickel-based superalloy via active cooling in additive manufacturing
Co-first authorReversible phase transformation in shape-memory ceramics enables impact-resistant aluminium
First authorUltrafast high-temperature joining of silicon nitride using nitrogen-tuned oxynitride interlayers
Co-first authorFrom passive reinforcement to active response in metal matrix composites: shape-memory ceramics as a model system
First authorWhen metastability stabilizes materials
First and corresponding authorIV · Conferences
Nov 2026Boston
MRS Fall Meeting & Exhibition
Engineering metastable shape-memory ceramics in metals
Scheduled oral
Sep 2026Cambridge
Alloys for Additive Manufacturing Symposium 2026
Harnessing active cooling to strengthen and ductilize additively manufactured nickel-based superalloy
Scheduled oral
Apr–May 2026Barcelona
Neutron Scattering Gordon Research Conference
Aging-induced element redistribution to strengthen and toughen ceramic/metal interfaces
Poster
Jul 2025Singapore
Applied Materials & Interfaces Conference
Transforming ceramics enable strong-and-tough metals
Poster
Show all contributions7 more ↓
V · Mentorship
Research mentorship
- Research mentor, Young Scholars Academic (YSA), Harvard Undergraduate Association for U.S. Cross-Cultural Relations, Dec 2025–Aug 2026.
- Designed interdisciplinary seminars connecting materials science, phase-transition theory, engineering history, and emerging technologies.
- Mentored research-question formulation, literature analysis, project design, scientific reasoning, and academic communication.
Thesis mentorship
- Co-supervised two master's theses and five final-year or capstone theses.
- Supported more than ten undergraduate research projects with Prof. Qiang Guo.
- Several projects developed into peer-reviewed publications or continuing collaborations.
Materials teaching
- Teaching assistant, Interface of Composites, Fall 2022 and Fall 2023.
- Teaching assistant, Fundamentals of Materials Science, Fall 2021.
- Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2022.
Science communication
- Seminar leader, Harvard Summit for Young Leaders in China, 2021–2023.
- Delivered the six-hour seminar ‘How Can Materials Redefine the 21st Century?’
- Reached more than 1,000 high-school students.
VI · Service
Peer review
- Independent reviewer for Nature Communications, Journal of Applied Physics, Journal of Materials Science, and Journal of Materials Research.
Research leadership
- Principal Investigator, NSFC Ph.D. Programme project on intelligent composites based on phase engineering and bioinspired architecting strategies, 2024–2025.
- Member of additional collaborative programmes in composite mechanics, failure analysis, and characterization.
Academic community
- Member, American Ceramic Society.
- Full Member, Sigma Xi.
- Member, Chinese Society for Composite Materials and Chinese Materials Research Society.
- CTB National Youth Research & Innovation Conference judge in 2023, 2024, and 2026.
- Invited TEDxYouth speaker in 2023.
Institutional service
- School Counsellor, SJTU School of Materials Science and Engineering.
- Former editor-in-chief, SJTU New Media Official Team.
- Former president, SJTU Student Union.
VII · Platforms
Fabrication and non-equilibrium processing
Powder metallurgy; ultrafast high-temperature sintering and joining; casting and infiltration; electroless plating; extrusion and rolling; sol–gel and gel-casting; additive manufacturing of ceramics and metals.
Multiscale characterization
SEM, TEM, precession electron diffraction, FIB, X-ray microscopy, X-ray and neutron diffraction, small-angle scattering, and Raman microscopy—used together to connect chemistry, defects, phase state, and architecture.
In situ micro- and nano-mechanics
Uniaxial tension, compression, and bending; in situ micro- and nano-mechanics; split-Hopkinson pressure-bar testing; and digital image correlation for resolving local response and damage initiation.
VIII · Contact
Open to conversations about composites, interfaces, phase transformation, micromechanics, neutron scattering, and extreme materials.
Let's use metastability for sustainability.