Jump to navigation

The University of Texas at Austin The University of Texas at Austin text with tower logo
The Cockrell School of Engineering The Cockrell School of Engineering logo using Ram's horn check mark

Wei Li

Dr. Li joined the faculty of mechanical engineering in January 2010. Previously, he was an associate professor at University of Washington in Seattle. He received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Dr. Li's research is in materials processing and manufacturing, particularly multifunctional nanomaterials, biomaterials, and biomedical microdevices. Prof. Li also conducts research in manufacturing process monitoring and diagnosis. His research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, state agencies, and industry partners such as Chrysler and Boeing. Dr. Li received the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) in 2005. He is a recipient of the CAREER award from National Science Foundation. Dr. Li served as a Board Director for North American Manufacturing Research Institution of SME and Chair of the Biomanufacturing Technical Committee of the ASME Manufacturing Engineering Division. He is an Associate Editor of ASME Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering and an editorial board member of Biofabrication.

Current research topics include:

  • Biomedical microdevices for 3D cell culture and drug discovery
  • Polymer nanofoam and nanocomposites for multifunctional applications
  • Nanoporous materials for energy storage
  • Manufacturing processes for alternative transportation energy

Selected Publications

  1. Ma, L., Barker, J., Zhou, C., Li, W., Zhang, J., Lin, B., Foltz, G., Kublbeck, J., and Honkakoski, "Towards Personalized Medicine with a Three-dimensional Micro-scale Perfusion-based Two-Chamber Tissue Model System", Biomaterials, Vol. 33, (2012), 17, pp. 4353-4361
  2. Ma, L., Zhou, C., Lin, B., and Li, W., , "A 3D Porous Micro Cell Culture Device for Cancer Migration Studies", Journal of Biomedical Microdevices, Vol. 12, (2010), 4, pp. 753-760
  3. Chor, M. and Li, W., , "A Permeability Measurement System for Tissue Engineering Scaffolds", Journal of Measurement Science and Technology, Vol. 18, (2007), pp. 208-216
  4. Li, W., "Modeling and On-line Estimation of Electrode Wear in Resistance Spot Welding", ASME Transaction Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, Vol. 127, (2005), 4, pp. 709-717
  5. Li, W., Li, D., and Ni, J., "Diagnosis of Tapping using Spindle Motor Current", International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture, Vol. 43, (2003), 1, pp. 73-79

Most Recent Publications

  1. Zhou, C., Vaccaro, N., Sundarram, S., and Li, W., "Fabrication of Polyetherimide Nanofoam using Supercritical CO2 Gas Foaming," Cellular Plastics, Vol. 48, (2012), 3, pp. 239-255
  2. Wang, X., Kumar, V., and Li, W., "Development of Crystallization in PLA During Solid-State Foaming Process Using Sub-Critical CO2," Cellular Polymers, Vol. 31, (2012), 1, pp. 1-18
  3. Ma, L., Barker, J., Zhou, C., Li, W., Zhang, J., Lin, B., Foltz, G., Kublbeck, J., and Honkakoski, "Towards Personalized Medicine with a Three-dimensional Micro-scale Perfusion-based Two-Chamber Tissue Model System," Biomaterials, Vol. 33, (2012), 17, pp. 4353-4361
  4. Kim, Y. and Li, W., "Multifunctional Polyetherimide Nanocomposite Foam," Journal Of Cellular Plastics, (2012)
  5. Zhou, C., Ma, L., Li, W., and Yao, D., "Fabrication of Tissue Engineering Scaffolds via Solid-state Foaming of Immiscible Polymers," Biofabrication, Vol. 3, (2011), 4, pp. 1-8
  6. Zhou, C., Wang, P., Li, W., "Fabrication of Functionally Graded Porous Polymer via Supercritical CO2 Foaming," Composite Part B: Engineering, Vol. 42, (2010), 2, pp. 318-325
  7. Ma, L., Zhou, C., Lin, B., and Li, W., , "A 3D Porous Micro Cell Culture Device for Cancer Migration Studies," Journal Of Biomedical Microdevices, Vol. 12, (2010), 4, pp. 753-760
  8. Vaccaro, N. and Li, W., Li, B., and Zhong, W.H., "The effects of mixing and loading of carbon nanofiber on mechanical properties of polyetherimide nanofoams," Transaction Of North American Manufacturing Research Institution Of SME, Vol. 38, (2010), pp. 547-554
  9. Wang, X., Li, W., and Kumar, V., , "Creating Open-celled Solid-state Foams using Ultrasound ," Journal Of Cellular Plastics, Vol. 45, (2009), pp. 353-369
  10. Vaccaro, N., Li, W., Li, B., and Zhong, W.H., "Nanofoamed High Performance Polymer Nanocomposites," Transaction Of North American Manufacturing Research Institution Of SME, Vol. 37, (2009), pp. 151-158