We are delighted to announce that Mr. Hai Dong Huynh successfully defended his Ph.D. thesis on 17.12.2025. His thesis, entitled "Computational Modeling, Inverse Design, and Characterization of Electro-Mechanical Willis Metamaterials" is the result of years of hard work and dedication. The defense took place in Building 1104, Room B214, Welfengarten 1A, and was also available via online meeting.
Mr. Hai's research in the field of developing a numerical framework for calculating the effective dynamic properties of such metamaterials and for aiding materials design applications. Two subsequent tasks are undertaken in the inverse design of heterogeneous structures: (i) maximizing EM coupling to enhance asymmetric wave propagation and (ii) achieving unidirectional-zero reflection behavior characteristic of non-Hermitian physics. Moreover, this study extends the micromechanical homogenization method to periodic piezoelectric media, thereby recovering electro-mechanical Willis equations and free-wave dispersion relations.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Mr. Hai Dong Huynh on this outstanding achievement.
