Mingchao Liu, Dr

Mingchao Liu, Dr

Assistant Professor at University of Birmingham

Publications

You can also find my articles on my Google Scholar profile. (* Corresponding author; † Equal contribution)

Cover Images

Under review

  1. Huang, W.†,*, Hao, Z.†, Li, J.†, Tong, D.†, Guo, K., Zhang, Y., Gao, H.*, Hsia, K.J.*, Liu, M.* (2025). A tutorial on simulating nonlinear behaviors of flexible structures with the discrete differential geometry (DDG) method. Under Review. Preprint Website
  2. Feng, T., Chen, J., Wong, J.W., Li, S., Wang, Z., Li, X., Cao, J., Xue, Y., Yang, X.*, Liu, M.*, Li, T.* (2025). Twisting-induced bifurcation and path manipulation in compressed ribbons. Under Review. Preprint
  3. Liu, M.†,*, Mao, W.†, Zhao, Y., Xu, Q., Gan, Y., Wang, Y.*, Hsia, K.J.* (2025). Rate-Dependence in Granular Matter with Application to Tunable Metamaterials. Under Review. Preprint
  4. Barckicke, J.†, Domino, L.†, Zhang, Q, Liu, M.*, Vella, D.* (2025). Localization of deformation in the central hub of hub-and-spoke kirigami. Under Review. Preprint
  5. Tong, D., Hao, Z., Li, J., Sun, B., Liu, M.*, Wang, L.*, Huang, W.* (2025). Real-time simulation enabled navigation control of magnetic soft continuum robots in confined lumens. Under Review. Preprint
  6. Li, J.†, Tong, D.†, Hao, Z.†, Zhu, Y., Wu, H., Liu, M.*, Huang, W.* (2025). Harnessing Discrete Differential Geometry: A Virtual Playground for the Bilayer Soft Robotics. Under Review. Preprint.

Accepted and In Press

  1. Guo, K.†, Suñé, M.†, Kwok, M.L., Hsia, K.J.*, Liu, M.*, Vella, D.* (2025). Localized tension-induced giant folding in unstructured elastic sheets. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. Accepted. Preprint
  2. Zhang, Y., Huang, W., Liu, M., Yu, J.*, Gao, H.* (2025). Achieving Symmetric Snap-Through Buckling via Designed Magnetic Actuation. Sci. Adv.. Accepted.

2025

  1. Giudici, A.†, Huang, W.†, Wang, Q., Wang, Y., Liu, M., Tawfick, S., Vella, D.* (2025). How do imperfections cause asymmetry in elastic snap-through?. Phys. Rew. E. 111, 045503. Preprint.
  2. Wang, Y., Liu, M.*, Sareh, P., Liu, J.*, Huang, W.* (2025). Towards Ultrastretchability, Multimodal Instability, and Static Nonreciprocity in Kirigami Metamaterials. Soft Science. 5, 19.
  3. Zhang, Y., Huang, W., Liu, M., Yu, J.*, Gao, H.* (2025). Snap-through buckling in heavy hard magnetic elastica. Proc. Royal Soc. A, 481, 20250008. PDF.
  4. Tong, D., Hao, Z., Liu, M.*, Huang, W.* (2025). Inverse Design of Snap-Actuated Jumping Robots Powered by Mechanics-Aided Machine Learning. IEEE Robot. Autom. Lett., 10(2), 1720-1727. PDF.

2024

  1. Huang, W.*, Liu, Z.*, Liu, M.*, Hsia, K.J.* (2024). Snap-through eversion of axisymmetric shells under contact indentation. Proc. Royal Soc. A, 480, 20240303. PDF
  2. Cao, B. Yang, Y., Liu, M.*, Huang, C.* (2024). Strain gradient regulated bifurcation of bilayer circular plates. Extre. Mech. Lett., 72, 102250. PDF
  3. Huang, W.†, Liu, T.†, Liu, Z., Xu, P., Liu, M.*, Chen, Y.*, Hsia, K.J.* (2024). Discrete differential geometry-based model for nonlinear analysis of axisymmetric shells. Int. J Mech. Sci., 283, 109742. PDF
  4. Liu, Z., Liu, M., Hsia, K.J., Huang, X., Huang, W.* (2024). Simplified discrete model for axisymmetric dielectric elastomer membranes with robotic applications. Thin Wall. Struct., 205, 112502. PDF
  5. Huang, W., Yu, T.*, Hsia, K.J., Adriaenssens, S., Liu, M.* (2024). Integration of kinks and creases enables tunable folding in meta-ribbons. Matter, 7(9), 3007-3023. PDF SI (Highlighted in the News of the University of Birmingham.)
  6. Wang, Q., Giudici, A., Huang, W., Wang, Y., Liu, M., Tawfick, S., Vella, D.* (2024). Transient amplification of broken symmetry in elastic snap-through. Phys. Rev. Lett., 132, 267201. PDF SI
  7. Huang, W., Yu, T., Vella, D., Hsia, K.J.*, Liu, M.* (2024). Exploiting dynamic bifurcation in elastic ribbons for mode skipping and selection. J Mech. Phys. Solids, 190, 105721. PDF
  8. Guo, K., Liu, M.*, Vella, D., Suresh, S.*, Hsia, K.J.* (2024). Dehydration-induced corrugated folding in Rhapis excelsa plant leaves. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 121 (17), e2320259121. PDF SI (Featured in the This week in PNAS and and the News of the University of Birmingham.)
  9. Yang, Y., Wang, Y., Lin, M., Liu, M.*, Huang, C.* (2024). Bio-inspired facile strategy for programmable osmosis-driven shape-morphing elastomer composite structures. Mater. Horiz., 11, 2180-2190. PDF SI
  10. Yang, X., Liu, M.*, Zhang, B., Wang, Z., Chen, T., Zhou, Y., Chen, Y., Hsia, K.J., Wang, Y.* (2024). Hierarchical tessellation enables general 3D shape-morphing structures. Matter, 7, 603-619. PDF SI Video
  11. Yang, X., Liu, M., Chen, T., Chen, Y., Wang, Y.* (2024). Tunable mechanics of architectured composites from particle assemblies. Extre. Mech. Lett., 2024, 67, 102121. PDF (Featured as the Front Cover.)
  12. Qin, L., Peng, H., Huang, X., Liu, M.*, Huang, W.* (2024). Modeling and simulation of dynamics in soft robotics: A review of numerical approaches. Current Robotics Reports, 5, 1-13. PDF (Invited Review)
  13. Suo, S.*, O’Kiely, D., Liu, M., Gan, Y. (2024). Geometry Effects on Interfacial Dynamics of Gas-Driven Drainage in a Gradient Capillary. Water Resour. Res., 2024, 60 (9), e2023WR036766.
  14. Meng, Z., Gao, X., Yan, H., Liu, M., Cao, H., Mei, T., Chen, C.* (2024). Cage-shaped self-folding mechanical metamaterials. Int. J Solids Struct., 286–287, 112560. PDF

2023

  1. Yang, X.†, Zhou, Y.†, Zhao, H., Huang, W., Wang, Y.*, Hsia, K.J.*, Liu, M.* (2023). Morphing matter: From mechanical principles to robotic applications. Soft Science, 3, 38. PDF (Featured as the Front Cover.)
  2. Kansaraa, H., Liu, M.*, He, Y., Tan, W.* (2023). Inverse design and additive manufacturing of shape-morphing structures based on functionally graded composites. J Mech. Phys. Solids, 180, 105382. PDF (Highlighted in Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) News.)
  3. Huang, W., Zhang, Y., Yu, T.*, Liu, M.* (2023). Bifurcations and stability analysis of elastic slender structures using static discrete elastic rods method. J Appl. Mech., 90(9), 094501. PDF
  4. Meng, Z., Yan, H., Liu, M., Qin, W., Genin, G.M., Chen, C.* (2023). Encoding and storage of information in mechanical metamaterials. Adv. Sci., 2301581. PDF SI (Highlighted in Advanced Science News, Featured as the Back Cover.)
  5. Huang, W., Liu, M.*, Hsia, K.J.* (2023). A discrete model for the geometrically nonlinear mechanics of hard-magnetic slender structures. Extre. Mech. Lett., 59, 101977. PDF SI
  6. Huang, W., Liu, M.*, Hsia, K.J.* (2023). Modeling of magnetic cilia carpet robots using discrete differential geometry formulation. Extre. Mech. Lett., 59, 101967. PDF SI
  7. Wang, Y.†, Wang, Q.†, Liu, M., Qin, Y., Cheng, L., Bolmin, O., Alleyne, M., Wissa, A., Baughman, R.H., Vella, D., Tawfick, S.* (2023). Insect-scale jumping robots enabled by a dynamic buckling cascade. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 120(5), e2210651120. PDF SI (Highlighted in TechXplore, University Oxford News and Oxford Mathematical Institute Case Study, and Summarized in Science.)
  8. Liu, M., Domino, L., Dupont de Dinechin, I., Taffetani, M., Vella, D.* (2023). Snap-induced morphing: From a single bistable shell to the origin of shape bifurcation in interacting shells. J Mech. Phys. Solids, 170, 105116. PDF
  9. Ma, C., Zhang, Y., Jiao, S.*, Liu, M.* (2023). Snap-through of graphene nanowrinkles under out-of-plane compression. Nanotechnology, 34(1), 015705. PDF

2022

  1. Mao, J.*, Wang, S., Tan, W.*, Liu, M.* (2022). Modular multistable metamaterials with reprogrammable mechanical properties. Eng. Struct., 272, 114976. PDF
  2. Zhang, Y., Yang, J., Liu, M.*, Vella, D. (2022). Shape-morphing structures based on perforated kirigami. Extre. Mech. Lett., 56, 101857. PDF Video
  3. Meng, Z., Liu, M., Yan, H., Genin, G.M., Chen, C.* (2022). Deployable mechanical metamaterials with multistep programmable transformation. Sci. Adv., 8(23), eabn5460. PDF SI (Highlighted in Tsinghua University News.)

2021

  1. Liu, M., Gomez, M., Vella, D.* (2021). Delayed bifurcation in elastic snap-through instabilities. J Mech. Phys. Solids, 151, 104386. PDF
  2. Jiao, S., Liu, M.* (2021). Snap-through in graphene nanochannel: With application to fluidic control. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 13 (1), 1158–1168. PDF SI
  3. Wang, Q., Liu, M., Wang, Z., Chen, C., Wu, J.* (2021). Large deformation and instability of soft hollow cylinder with surface effects. J Appl. Mech., 4(88), 041010. PDF

2020

  1. Liu, M., Domino, L., Vella, D.* (2020). Tapered elasticæ as a route for axisymmetric morphing structures. Soft Matter, 16, 7739–7750. PDF (Highlighted in Oxford Mathematical Institute Case Study.)
  2. Meng, Z., Liu, M., Zhang, Y., Chen, C.* (2020). Multi-step deformation mechanical metamaterials. J Mech. Phys. Solids, 144, 104095. PDF
  3. Meng, W., Liu, M., Gan, Y., Pauchard, L., Chen, C.* (2020). Cracking to curling transition in drying colloidal films. Eur. Phys. J E, 43(10), 1–9. PDF
  4. Suo, S., Liu, M., Gan, Y.* (2020). Fingering patterns in hierarchical porous media. Phys. Rev. Fluids, 5 (3), 034301. PDF
  5. Suo, S., Liu, M., Gan, Y.* (2020). An LBM-PNM framework for immiscible flow: With applications to droplet spreading on porous surfaces. Chem. Eng. Sci., 218, 115577. PDF
  6. Mohammad, N., Meng, W., Zhang, Y., Liu, M., El-Zein, A., Gan, Y.* (2020). Desiccation crack formation and prevention in thin bentonite layers. Environ. Geotech., 40, 1-15.

2019

  1. Liu, M., Wu, J., Gan, Y.*, Hanaor, D., Chen, C.* (2019). Multiscale modeling of the effective elastic properties of fluid-filled porous materials. Int. J Solids Struct., 162, 36–44. PDF
  2. Liu, M., Suo, S., Wu, J., Gan, Y., Hanaor, D., Chen, C.* (2019). Tailoring porous media for controllable capillary flow. J Colloid Interf. Sci., 539, 379–387. PDF
  3. Cui, G., Liu, M., Dai, W., Gan, Y.* (2019). Pore-scale modelling of gravity-driven drainage in disordered porous media. Int. J Multiphase Flow, 114, 19–27. PDF
  4. Suo, S., Liu, M., Gan, Y.* (2019). Modelling imbibition processes in heterogeneous porous media. Transp. Porous Media, 126, 615–631. PDF

2018 and earlier

  1. Liu, M., Wu, J., Gan, Y., Hanaor, D., Chen, C.* (2018). Tuning capillary penetration in porous media: Combining geometrical and evaporation effects. Int. J Heat Mass Transf., 123, 239–250. PDF
  2. Li, S., Liu, M., Hanaor, D., Gan, Y.* (2018). Dynamics of viscous entrapped saturated zones in partially wetted porous media. Transp. Porous Media, 125, 193–210. PDF
  3. Shi, Z., Zhang, Y., Liu, M., Hanaor, D., Gan, Y.* (2018). Dynamic contact angle hysteresis in liquid bridges. Colloid Surf. A-Physicochem. Eng. Asp., 555, 365–371. PDF
  4. Liu, M., Zhang, Y., Wu, J., Gan, Y., Chen, C.* (2016). Analytical solutions for elastic response of coated mesoporous materials to pore pressure. Int. J Eng. Sci., 107, 68–76. PDF
  5. Liu, M., Wu, J., Gan, Y., Chen, C.* (2016). The pore-load modulus of ordered nanoporous materials with surface effects. AIP Adv., 6(3), 035324. PDF
  6. Liu, M., Wu, J., Gan, Y., Hanaor, D., Chen, C.* (2016). Evaporation limited radial capillary penetration in porous media. Langmuir, 32(38), 9899–9904. PDF
  7. Liu, M., Jin, P., Xu, Z., Hanaor, D., Gan, Y., Chen, C.* (2016). Two-dimensional modeling of the self-limiting oxidation in silicon and tungsten nanowires. Theore. Appl. Mech. Lett., 6(5), 195–199. PDF
  8. Liu, M., Gan, Y.*, Hanaor, D., Liu, B., Chen, C.* (2015). An improved semi-analytical solution for stress at round-tip notches. Eng. Fract. Mech., 149, 134–143. PDF
  9. Liu, M., Chen, C.* (2015). A micromechanical analysis of the fracture properties of saturated porous media. Int. J Solids Struct., 63, 32–38. PDF
  10. Wang, B.*, Liu, M., Zhao, J., Zhou, S. (2014). A size-dependent Reddy–Levinson beam model based on a strain gradient elasticity theory. Meccanica, 49(6), 1427–1441. PDF