Publications

Welcome to my publication list! Below is a summary of my research works focusing on computational mechanics, topology optimization, and multiscale design. You can also find my full articles and citation metrics on my Google Scholar Profile. 📊

🎬 Notice on Graphical Visualizations:
I am currently preparing animations (.gif) and schematic illustrations for each paper to vividly demonstrate the structural evolution and optimization processes. This feature is under development and will be updated gradually. Thank you for your patience and stay tuned!

Journal Articles

Multi-material topology optimization for nonlinear heat conduction with temperature-dependent properties

Published in International Journal of Engineering Science, 2026

This work revealed that single-material optimization yields configurations that remain virtually unchanged although consider TDMPs, and that introducing diverse temperature-dependent materials enhances design performance.

Recommended citation: Zhaoyou Sun, Jike Han, Shinji Nishiwaki, Yangjun Luo. Multi-material topology optimization for nonlinear heat conduction with temperature-dependent properties, 2026, 226, 104585. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijengsci.2026.104585
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Three-scale concurrent topology optimization for porous structures

Published in Composite Structures, 2026

To mimic the multi-level structures widely present in nature, this study proposes a three-scale concurrent topology optimization strategy. The matlab code can also be found in my website, although it may be a little long-winded.

Recommended citation: Zhaoyou Sun, Qingfang Duan, Yangjun Luo. Three-scale concurrent topology optimization for porous structures. Composite Structures, 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2026.120258.

Material interpolation in finite strain topology optimization: a comprehensive assessment and ageneralized energy-strain-combined interpolation scheme

Published in Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, 2026

This work provides a systematic and physically grounded comparative investigation of representative material interpolation schemes for density-based TO method, including linear and non-linear assumptions.

Recommended citation: Jike Han, Zhaoyou Sun, Yangjun Luo, Shinji Nishiwaki. Material interpolation in finite strain topology optimization: a comprehensive assessment and ageneralized energy-strain-combined interpolation scheme. Struct Multidisc Optim 69, 122 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-026-04332-8.

A movable partition region strategy for multiscale concurrent topology optimization with multiple connectable microstructures

Published in Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 2025

This work introduces a movable partition region strategy through the relaxation scheme and a piecewise distance projection function. Hence, the macroscopic distribution of different microstructures can be dynamically evolved during the MCTO process.

Recommended citation: Zhaoyou Sun, Qingfang Duan, Yangjun Luo. A movable partition region strategy for multiscale concurrent topology optimization with multiple connectable microstructures. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 2025, 445, 118202. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cma.2025.118202.

A multi-regional MFSE topology optimization method for large-scale structures with arbitrary design domains

Published in Advances in Engineering Software, 2024

To handle the numerical drawbacks of the Material-Field Series Expansion (MFSE) method, this work defines the material field locally, and promotes the application of this method in various problems. The MATLAB code is also open-source, and can be found on my website.

Recommended citation: Zhaoyou Sun, Tingxi Yuan, Wenbo Liu, Jiaqi He, Tiejun Sui, Yangjun Luo. A multi-regional MFSE topology optimization method for large-scale structures with arbitrary design domains. Advances in Engineering Software, 2024, 198, 103778.

A new multiscale concurrent topology optimization method based on the ordered interpolation and MFSE model

Published in Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 2024

By observing the continuous transition characteristics of multiple materials within the ordered-based interpolation scheme, this work proposes a numerical strategy that ensures microstructural connectivity on a one-by-one basis. This method is applied to the design of complex geometries, such as the Armadillo.

Recommended citation: Zhaoyou Sun, Wenbo Liu, Pai Liu, Yangjun Luo. A new multiscale concurrent topology optimization method based on the ordered interpolation and MFSE model. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 2024, 430, 117230. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cma.2024.117230.

Multiscale concurrent topology optimization for heat conduction with connectable microstructures

Published in International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2024

This work intergated our previous work published in CMAME, 2023 into area-to-point heat conduction case, and design some interesting structures.

Recommended citation: Zhaoyou Sun, Jin Dai, Yaguang Wang, Yangjun Luo*. Multiscale concurrent topology optimization for heat conduction with connectable microstructures, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 2024, 235, 126222. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2024.126222.

MFSE-based two-scale concurrent topology optimization with connectable multiple micro materials

Published in Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 2023

By defining all the microstructures into a unified field, this paper presents a simple but effective multiscale concurrent topology optimization method with multiple connectable microstructures.

Recommended citation: Zhaoyou Sun, Pai Liu, Yangjun Luo. MFSE-based two-scale concurrent topology optimization with connectable multiple micro materials. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 2023, 417, 116409. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cma.2023.116409.

Topology optimization of thin-walled plates with directional straight stiffeners

Published in Applied Mathematical Modelling, 2023

This study proposes a topology representation and optimization method for thin-walled structures with directional straight stiffeners using the material-field series expansion and multifield superposition model.

Recommended citation: Zhaoyou Sun, Yaguang Wang, Zhonghao Gao, Yangjun Luo. Topology optimization of thin-walled plates with directional straight stiffeners. Applied Mathematical Modelling, 2023, 113, 640-663. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2022.09.027.

Anisotropic material-field series expansion for the topological design of optical metalens

Published in Optics Express, 2022

This work is about topological design of optical metalens by the material-field series expansion method, and the matlab code can be found in my website.

Recommended citation: Zhaoyou Sun, Pai Liu, Yangjun Luo. Anisotropic material-field series expansion for the topological design of optical metalens. Optics Express, 2022, 30(10): 16459-16478. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.457715.
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Topological dimensionality reduction-based machine learning for efficient gradient-free 3D topology optimization

Published in Materials & Design, 2022

This paper proposes a gradient-free optimization method by integrating the material-field series expansion (MFSE) topological parameterization and deep neural networks (DNN).

Recommended citation: Zhaoyou Sun, Yaguang Wang, Pai Liu, Yangjun Luo. Topological dimensionality reduction-based machine learning for efficient gradient-free 3D topology optimization. Materials & Design, 2022, 220, 110885. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2022.110885.
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