About the PI

Dr. Cangyu Qu (瞿苍宇) is joining Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in fall 2026 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering.

Dr. Qu obtained both his bachelor's and Ph.D. degrees in mechanics from Tsinghua University, where his Ph.D. work with Prof. Quanshui Zheng (郑泉水) on superlubricity received the Dinstinguished Doctoral Dissertation Award from the Chinese Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (CSTAM). Prior to joining SUSTech, he was a postdoc at the University of Pennsylvania, working with Prof. Robert Carpick and Prof. Ottman Tertuliano. Dr. Qu is broadly interested in nanomechanics, nanotribology (i.e., the study of friction, wear, and adhesion on the nanoscale), and two-dimensional materials.

Education

Ph. D. in Mechanics Tsinghua University 2013.9-2019.7

B. S. in Mechanics Tsinghua University 2009.9-2013.7

Academic Experience

Postdoc University of Pennsylvania 2021.8-2026.7

Research Associate Institute of Superlubricity Technology 2019.8-2021.6

Visiting Scholar (Ph.D.) University of Pennsylvania 2018.4-2018.10

Visiting Research Intern Harvard University 2012.8-2013.2

Teaching Experience

Teaching Assistant Statics & Strength of Materials

Fall 2024 University of Pennsylvania

Co-instructor Nanotribology

Spring 2024, Spring 2022 University of Pennsylvania

Teaching Assistant Tribology

Spring 2023 University of Pennsylvania