Xiaoyuan (Sean) Ying

Xiaoyuan (Sean) Ying

PhD student · University of Edinburgh

应萧远 · pronounced roughly “ying shyow-ywen”

I study architected structures and mechanical metamaterials: how geometry can shape the way a structure moves, transforms, and holds its form. My work focuses on kirigami, inverse design, and elastic instability.

I am a PhD student in the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh, working with Marcelo A. Dias. I combine geometric optimisation, mechanical modelling, and experiments. We are now exploring how architected structures can support the design of soft electronics and metasurfaces.

Email·GitHub·Academic background

Research focus

  • Geometry as a design parameter. Studying how architected geometry influences kinematic behaviour, motion, and shape morphing.
  • Mechanics-informed design. Combining geometric design with material behaviour and mechanical analysis to understand and tune the properties of shape-morphing systems.
  • Engineering applications. Exploring how architected structures can support flexible sensors and metasurfaces through controlled deformation and surface conformity.

Research statement and code

Research highlights

All publications