When
Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.
Pai Wang
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Utah
"Phononic and Vibro-Elastic Metamaterials – A Tale of Three Wavelength Regimes"
AME Lecture Hall, Room S202 | Zoom link
Abstract: Our research goal is the complete customization of static and dynamic behaviors by designing phononic crystals and elastic metamaterials – architected systems whose properties are primarily dictated by internal structures and embedded devices. This talk will cover recent advances on three different fronts: (1) In the short-wavelength/high-frequency regime, dispersion relation is the key characteristic for most vibro-elastic metamaterials. We demonstrate a complete design protocol via non-local interactions to achieve any desirable dispersion relation arbitrarily specified. (2) In the ultimate long-wavelength/quasi-static limit, we propose new ways to tailor the wave speeds of all bulk elastic waves. The new designs can lead to unpresented “phonon spins” and exotic “knotted polarizations”. (3) In the ultra-low-frequency regime at the mechanical and civil engineering scales, we analyze inerter-based metamaterials and show their unique advantages in vibration mitigations.
Bio: Pai Wang is an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at University of Utah. He directs the Utah Waves and Architected Materials Laboratory. He received his PhD and MS in applied mathematics from Harvard University, as well as his BEng in engineering science from National University of Singapore. His research projects focus on mechanical metamaterial design, topological mechanics, wave manipulation, vibration mitigation and ultrasonic structural health monitoring. His recent accolades include NSF CAREER Award, ASME Outstanding Organizer Prize, ASME Rising Star Award and International Phononics Society Young Investigator Award.