Research
We are currently focused on Modern Mechanical Design and Theory, particularly the scientific mechanisms and technical issues on complex multi-physical coupling, micro/nano mechanical behaviors in agricultural machinery, and biomechanics.
1. Flow mechanism of pesticide droplet impingements on leaf-surfaces
The challenges in the agricultural spray process have increased in complexity. Efficient and sustainable plant protection requires various stages with pesticides being optimized for less detrimental ecological effects and retains, as well as, better biological efficacy and economic viability of the growers. We are numerically and experimentally investigating the underlying mechanism on impingement/flow behavior of the pesticide droplets on the leave-surfaces for the maximum pesticide efficacy.
Fig1. Impingement/flow behaviors of pesticide droplets on leaf-surfaces in micro-scale
2. Complex multi-physical coupling mechanism in soil-tool interactions
Soil excavating is associated with material behavior, tool shape, tool trajectory and free boundary configuration of the excavated material. This process occurs within the zone of shear band, local degradation of material parameters and the global drop of the force acting on the rigid tool. Soil-tool interaction during high-speed tillage is still not completely understood because of the highly non-linear nature of the process and the complex coupling between deformation and temperature fields. Our study of tillage tool interaction is to characterize the complex multi-physical coupling fields in the soil cutting zone and thus understand the soil failure patterns and develop force prediction models for design optimization.
Fig2. Multi-physical coupling performances in the alternative tillage process
3. Break-up mechanism on air- kerosene Interaction in cold supersonic flow
Development of an optimum scramjet engines is pivotal for the realization of hypersonic vehicles. Understanding the effect of the injection system design on the interaction characteristics between incoming flow and fuel in cold supersonic flow is a key issue for development of scramjets. Currently design of the optimum injection system with great performance capabilities is really a challenge. This is predominantly due to the fact that the hypersonic vehicles are generally operated at high Mach number, which indicates that the residence time of the supersonic free-stream within the combustion chamber of the scramjet is extremely short. Too short residence time of the fuel incurs incomplete mixing and, hence, strongly affects the combustion efficiencies.
Fig3. Dynamic interaction between air and kerosene in cold supersonic flow
4. Funding
1) National Science Foundation of China (NSFC), 52175211, 2022-2025, PI
2) National Science Foundation of China (NSFC), 51575003, 2016-2019, PI
3) Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation, 2108085ME164, 2022-2024, PI
4) The Key Research and Development Project of Anhui Province, 202004a06020015, 2020-2022, PI
5) The Major Programs of Anhui Provincial Education Department, KJ2020ZD09, 2021-2023, PI
6) The Opening Fund of State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization of China, SKLTOF20200128, 2020-2022, PI
7) Scientific Research Foundation for Returned Scholars, Ministry of Education of China, 2013-2015, PI
8) The Opening Fund of State Key Laboratory of Nonlinear Mechanics of China, LNM201504, 2015-2017, PI
9) The Opening Fund of State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization of China, SKLTOF20150204,2015-2017,PI
10) Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation, 1508085ME71,2015-2017, PI
11) Key Project of Anhui Education Committee, KJ2015A031, 2016-2017, PI
12) National Research Foundation of South Africa, 2018-2019, Co-PI
13) Environmental Protection Agency Research program (USA), RD 833357, 2007-2011, Co-PI
14) National Science Foundation GOALI(USA), DMII 9908324, 2007-2012, Co-PI
People
Principal investigator
Lin Zhu, Ph.D. (朱林)
Dr. Zhu joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at AHAU in July in 2003. He was a Postdoctoral Associate with Professor Tien-Chien Jen at UWM. During his postdoc research, Dr. Zhu incorporated heat-pipe cooling into high-speed metal cutting, e.g. drilling and end milling, which can significantly reduce tool temperatures and hence delay the onset of tool failure and offer tool life extension. Dr. Zhu’s doctorate research with Professor Fan-Rang Kong and Professor Jing-Liang Xu at USTC focused on structure behaviors and combustion characteristics of a silicon-based micro-combustor, which help to better understand the underlying mechanisms on micro-flow, micro-combustion and micro-structure. Under the guidance of Professor Yi-Xian Qin, Dr. Zhu also accumulated the research experiences on mechanobiology/biomechanics during his visiting research at the State University of New Work at Stony Brook.
Current students
Graduated Students
 |  |  |  |  |
| 1.Xi Cheng | 2.Shuang-shuang Peng | 3.Yin-yin Qi | 4.Jia-ru Ge | 5.Feng Luo |
 |  |  |  |  |
| 6.Min Wei | 7.Jia-wen Zhang | 8.Qing-ming Wu | 9.Pu Chen | 10.Si-jia Dong |
 |
| 11.Peter Jusu Moray |
Publications
Journal Publication
2023
35）Xiao-Rui Zou, Yu-Xiang Qian, Lin Zhu*, Wen-Xuan Zhou, Peter Jusu Moray, Cheng-Long Yin. A CFD study of most appropriate nozzle for designated pesticide in six-rotor UAV in hover for tea cultivation. To submit to Pesticide Management Science(Revised, 中科院1区,TOP期刊)
34）Wen-Xuan Zhou, Lin Zhu*, Xiao-Rui Zou, Cheng-Long Yin. Mechanical feature-based approach for modelling a plant leaf: A case study of Shu-ChaZao tea tree. To be prepared.
2022
33）Si-Jia Dong, Qing-Hua Gui, Lin Zhu*, Xiao-Rui Zou, Wen-Xuan Zhou,Ru-Yan Hou, Peter Jusu Moray, Cheng-Long Yin. CFD-based pesticide selection for a nozzle used in a six-rotor UAV in hover mode for tea spraying. (中科院1区,TOP期刊).
32）Si-jia Dong, Jian Ye, Lin Zhu*, Pu Chen, Peter Jusu Moray, Wei-Lai Liu, Jun Sun, Tien-Chien Jen. Thermal effect of high-velocity particle impingements on coating quality in cold gas dynamic spray operations. (SCI)
2021
31）Pu Chen, Wei Tao, Lin Zhu*, Qing-Ming Wu, Jia-Wen Zhang, Si-Jia Dong, Peter Jusu Moray. Effect of varying remote cylinder speeds on plough-breast performances in alternative shifting tillage. (中科院1区, TOP期刊).
2020
30）Jia-Wen Zhang, Lin Zhu*, Pu Chen, Qin-Ming Wu, Min Wei, Cheng-Long Yin, Guo-Li Li. Flowing interaction between cutting edge of ploughbreast with soil in shifting tillage operations.(中科院1区, TOP期刊).
2019
29）Min Wei, Lin Zhu*, Feng Luo, Wen-Feng Zhang, Cheng-Long Yin, Tien-Chien Jen. Share-soil interaction load and wear at various tillage conditions of a horizontally reversible plough. (中科院1区, TOP期刊）
28）Min Wei, Lin Zhu*,Feng Luo, Wen-Feng Zhang, Cheng-Long Yin, Tien-Chien Jen. Commuting Tillage Operations of HRP under Hydraulic Cylinder Movements on Plough-breast Performance. (SCI)
27）Feng Luo, Lin Zhu*, Min Wei, Jia-Wen Zhang, De-Quan Zhang, De-Quan Zhu,Chien-Tien Jen. Tillage Condition Effects on Soil/Plow-breast Flow Interaction of a Horizontally Reversible Plow. (SCI)
26）Shou-Jun Huang,Lin Zhu*,Feng Luo, Min Wei, Tong-Zhong Liu, Tien-Chien Jen. Mechanical Function of the Human Knee Joint Region during Triple Jump by Combined Multi-body Dynamics and Finite Element Analysis. (SCI)
2018
25）Lin Zhu, Jia-Ru Ge, Yin-Yin Qi, Qi Chen, Ri-Mao Hua, Feng-Luo, Pei-Rong Chen.Droplet impingement behavior analysis on the leaf surface of Shu-ChaZao under different pesticide formulations. (中科院1区, TOP期刊）
24）Lin Zhu, Feng Luo, Yin-Yin Qi, Jia-Ru Ge, Wei-Lai Liu, Tien-Chien Jen.Effects of spray angle variation on mixing in a cold supersonic combustor with kerosene fuel. (SCI, JCR1）
2017
23）Wei-Lai Liu, Lin Zhu*, Yin-Yin Qi, Jia-Ru Ge, Feng Luo, Hao-Ran Zou, Ming Wei, Tien-Chien Jen. Effects of injection pressure variation on mixing in a cold supersonic combustor with kerosene fuel, Acta Astronautica. (SCI, JCR1）
22）Lin Zhu, Jia-Ru Ge,Tien-Chien Jen Yen-Ting Pan, Hong-Sheng Chen. Particle Bonding Mechanism in CGDS: A Three-Dimensional Approach process.International Journal of Thermal Spray Technology. (SCI, JCR2) Feature Paper.
21）Lin Zhu, Jia-Ru Ge, Xi Cheng, Shuang-Shuang Peng, Yin-Yin Qi, Shi-Wu Zhang. Modeling of share/soil interaction of a horizontally reversible plow using computational fluid dynamics. International Journal of Terramechanics.(SCI)
2016
20）Yin-Yin Qi, Lin Zhu*, Wei-Lai Liu, Bao-Jian Xu, Jia-Ru Ge, Feng Luo, Tien-Chien Jen. Numerical investigation of various fuel injection angles on interaction in cold kerosene-fueled supersonic flow. Procedia Manufacturing (SCI,EI).
19）Lin Zhu, Yin-Yin Qi, Wei-Lai Liu, Bao-Jian Xu, Jia-Ru Ge, Xuan-Chun Xuan, Tien-Chien Jen. Numerical investigation of scale effect of various injection diameters on interaction in cold kerosene-fueled supersonic flow.Acta Astronautica. (SCI, JCR1）
18）Lin Zhu, Saurin H. Patel , Mark Johnson , Akshay Kale , Yash Raval , Tzuen,Rong Tzeng , and Xiangchun Xuan . Enhanced throughput for electrokinetic manipulation of particles and cells in a stacked microfluidic device. Micromachines. (SCI)
17）Lin Zhu, Shuang-Shuang Peng, Xi Cheng, Yin-Yin Qi, Jia-Ru Ge, Wen-Feng Zhang, Tien-Chien Jen.Combined Finite Element and Multibody Dynamics Analysis of Effect of Hydraulic Cylinder Movement on Ploughshare of Horizontally Reversal Plow.Soil & Tillage Research. (中科院1区, TOP期刊）
16）Lin Zhu, Shuang-Shuang Peng, Xi Cheng, Yin-Yin Qi. An Improved Horizontally Reversible Plow Design Based on Virtual Assembly Semantics and Constraint. International Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology. (SCI).
15）Lin Zhu, Xi Cheng, Shuang-Shuang Peng,Yin-Yin Qi,Wen-Feng Zhang,Cheng-Long Yin, De-Quan Zhu. Three dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamic Interaction between Soil and Plowbreast of Horizontally Reversible Plough. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. (中科院1区, TOP期刊）
14）Lin Zhu, Shuang-Shuang Peng, Xi Cheng, Tien-Chien Jen. Combined finite element and multi-body analysis of effects of Hydraulic Cylinder Movement on Plough-breast of Horizontal Reversible Plough, Proceedings of the ASME 2016 International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, Phonix, Arizona, USA(Oral presentation)(SCI)
2015
13）Xin-Yu Lu, Lin Zhu, Ri-Mao Hua, Xiang-Chun Xuan. Continuous sheath-free separation of particles by shape in viscoelastic fluids. Applied Physics Letter (SCI, JCR1).
12）Tong-zhong Liu, Lin Zhu*, Shuang-Shuang Peng, Xi Cheng, Cheng-Long Yin. Combined Finite Element and Multibody Dynamics Analysis of Biomechanics Behaviours of Human Knee Joint during Triple Jump. Journal of Vibration and Shock ( EI) (In Chinese)
2014
11）Lin Zhu,Tien-Chien Jen, Shuang-shuang Peng, Xi Cheng, Cheng-Long Yin, Yi-Hsin Yi. Cutting TemperatureTool wear and Too life in Heat-pipe Assisted End-Milling Operations. International Journal of Advanced ManufactureingTechnology. ( SCI,JCR1)
10）Lin Zhu, Tien-Chien Jen, Xi Cheng, Shuang-shuang Peng, Ji-Wen Zhao,Wei-Lai Liu.Cutting Tool Life Analysis in Heat Pipe Assisted Drilling Operations. ASME Journal of Manufacturing Science and Technology (SCI, JCR1
2013
9）Lin Zhu, Tien-Chien Jen, Chen-Long Yin. Investigation of the feasibility and effectiveness in using heat pipe embedded Drills by finite element analysis. International Journal of advanced Manufacturing Technology C
2012
8）YongBin Liu,Lin Zhu*,TienChien Jen, ChengLong Yin, JiWen Zhao,WeiLai Liu. Numerical analyses to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness in using heat pipe embedded end mills. Journal of Mechanical Engineering. (SCI)
7）LinZhu,Tien-Chien Jen, Ji-WenZhao, Improved Tool life in heat pipe assisted drilling operations. Proceedings of the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, Houston, USA. ( SCI)
2011
6）Lin Zhu, Tien-Chien Jen, Xiao-Ling Kong. Feasibility and Effectiveness of Heat Pipe Cooling in End Milling Operations Thermal, Structural Static, and Dynamic Analyses a new approach. ASME Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering (SCI, JCR1)
5）Lin Zhu, Tien-Chien Jen, Cheng-Long Yin.Experimental Verification of the Feasibility and Effectiveness of Heat Pipe Cooling in Drilling Applications. International Journal of
4）Lin Zhu, Tien-Chien Jen, Cheng-LongYin. Experimental Analyses to Investigate the Feasibility and Effectiveness in Using Heat Pipe Embedded End mills. International Journal of
Advanced Manufacturing Technology. (SCI, JCR1）
2010
3）Lin Zhu, Tien-Chien Jen, Cheng-Long Yin. Numerical Investigation of the Structure of a Silicon Six-Wafer Micro-combustor under the Effect of Hydrogen/Air Ratio.
Journal of Microsystem Technologies. (SCI)
2）Lin Zhu, Tien-Chien Jen, Cheng-Long Yin. Structural Design of a Silicon Six-Wafer Micro-Combustor under the Effect of Heat Transfer Boundary Condition Outer Walls.
Journal of the Chinese Society of Mechanical Engineers. (SCI)
1）Lin Zhu, Tien-Chien Jen, Cheng-Long Yin. Numerical Investigation of silicon six-wafer micro-combustor under the effect of heat loss through the outer walls.
ASME Journal of Mechanical Design (SCI, JCR1)
Conference Publication
1.Lin Zhu, Shuang-Shuang Peng, Xi Cheng, Tien-Chien Jen. Combined finite element and multi-body analysis of effects of Hydraulic Cylinder Movement on plough-breast of Horizontal Reversible Plough, Proceedings of the ASME 2016 International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, Phonix, Arizona, USA(Oral presentation)(SCI、EI)
2.Lin Zhu, Tien-Chien Jen, Yong-Bin Liu, Wei-Lai Liu, Ji-Wen Zhao, Yi-Hsin Yen, Improved Tool life in Heat-Pipe Assisted Drilling Operations, Proceedings of the ASME 2012 International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, Houston, Texas, USA( Oral presentation by Dr. Yi-Hsin Yen) ( SCI、EI) 2012
3.Lin Zhu, Tien-Chien Jen, Yi-Hsin Yen. Numerical Simulation of Heat Pipe Cooling in End Milling Applications, Part I: Thermal, Structural Static, and Dynamic Analyses. ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Oral presentation)(SCI、EI) 2010
4.Lin Zhu, Tien-Chien Jen, Chen-Long Yin, Investigation of Heat Pipe Cooling in Drilling Applications, Part Ⅱ: Thermal, Structural Static, and Dynamic Analyses, the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition , Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA.(Oral presentation) ( SCI、EI) 2009
5.Lin Zhu, Tien-Chien Jen, Chen-Long Yin, Structural Design of a Silicon Six-Wafer Micro-Combustor under the Effect of Hydrogen/Air Ratio. the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition , Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA. (Oral presentation). ( SCI、EI) 2009
Contacts
Lin Zhu
Professor of Mechanical Engineering Department
School of Engineering
Anhui Agricultural University
E-mail: zl009@mail.ustc.edu.cn,ustczl009@ahau.edu.cn
Instrument
1. An experimental setup for the droplet surface tension
2.High performance workstation
3.Hydrostatic pressure tester
4.An experimental setup for heat partition coefficient between soil and plough-surface
5.An experimental setup for heat transfer coefficients of the heat-pipe embedded into the plough-body
6.An experimental setup for dynamic parameters of multi pesticide droplets impacting onto a leaf-surface
7.An experiment setup for universal tensile testing machine
8.An experiment setup for dryer
News
1. September.28, 2021: Prof. Zhu was invited by Prof. Sun of Anhui provincial children’s hospital for the talk on Fluid Mechanics.
2. September 16, 2021: Congratulations to Mr. Pu Chen for his National Scholarship Postgraduate.
3. August 28, 2021. Congratulations to Prof. Zhu for his Natural Science Foundation of China.
4. August 10, 2021, Congratulations to Prof. Zhu for his Natural Science Foundation of Anhui province.
5. May.14, 2021, Congratulations to Prof. Yi-Xian Qin, supervisor of Prof. Zhu, for his "Distinguished Professor" of the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
6. March.16, 2021, Congratulations to Prof. Zhu for his book “Modern Technologies for Creating the Thin-film Systems and Coatings” accepted by Taylor & Francis Group for publication.
