2022 Annual Report 2022 | Page 31

SUYI LI WINS ASME MOTE EARLY CAREER AWARD

Suyi Li , associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering , is the recipient of the 2022 CD Mote , Jr ., Early Career Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers .
Li joined Virginia Tech in 2022 , coming from Clemson University where he served as an assistant professor and established a research program on origami-inspired meta-structures and robotics . He has secured nearly $ 2 million in research funding , including the prestigious NSF CAREER award in 2018 .
His research bridges engineering with the arts , engaging the folding art of origami to create intricate shapes with unique structural properties . He has expanded the use of origami from paper to other materials , using perforated sheets of metal and polymeric materials to engineer three-dimensional support systems that are both strong and lightweight .
Li has also explored the properties of materials , conducting research which to optimize both the folded angles and the materials that are best to use for a balance between strength and durability . These have included biological materials and composites , as well as metals .
The folded shapes also have unique behaviors when subjected to motion and vibrations , and this has been another area of Li ’ s research . The crisscrossing angles are particularly adept at controlling sound waves , and Li forsees future applications for his work in the area of highway noise reduction .
“ With this award , I hope my research can change people ’ s perceptions of origami — Folding is not just a static process , it is also a motion ,” said Li . “ We can exploit the folding motion for many engineering innovations .”
The CD Mote Jr ., Early Career Award is presented annually by the ASME to an early-career recipient who demonstrates research excellence in the field of vibration and acoustics . At the time of awarding , candidates must have been a member of ASME for at least 3 years , be under the age of 40 years , and be within 10 years of their terminal degree .
Li was recognized on August 16 , 2022 , at the ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference , where he delivered a keynote speech and also received a plaque for the award .
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