2008-2012 Ph.D. Fluid Engineering

Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway. Funded by Shell doctoral fellowship.

2006-2008 M.S. Aerospace Engineering

School of Mechanical Aerospace and Systems Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), South Korea. Funded by KAIST student fellowship and KRF scholarship.

2001-2005 B.E. Power Engineering of Aircraft

Department of Energy and Power Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA), China.

2020- now Deputy Head of Institute of Fluid Mechanics

Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, China.

2016- now Associate Professor (Tenured),

Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, China.

2017- 2020 Adjunct Associate Professor

Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway

2012- 2016 Postdoctoral Fellow

Department of Energy and Process Engineering, NTNU, Norway.

2023-now Editorial Advisory Board Member of Mathematics

2022 Scientific Committee of EUROMECH Colloquium 625

2021-now Editorial Advisory Board, Young Editors of Acta Mechanica Sinica

2021 Guest Editor of Acta Mechanica Sinica

2021 Chair of organizing committee and scientific committee of 1^st BICTAM-CISM Symposium on Dispersed Multiphase Flows, Beijing, China.

2020-now Vice director of working group of Environmental Mechanics in The Chinese Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics.

2018-2021 Editorial Advisory Board Member of Heliyon.

2017-now Editorial Advisory Board Member of International Journal of Multiphase Flow.

2017-now Editorial Advisory Board Member of Acta Mechanica.

2018-now Grant reviewer for NWO Domain Science (Netherlands), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

2019-now Chair of NorAlumni Beijing Chapter.

2017 Organizer of Mini-symposium ‘Atmospheric Boundary Layer and Atmosphere Environment’ of the 2nd International Conference on Computational Engineering and Science for Safety and Environmental problems, Chengdu, China.

2012-now Regular reviewer for 30+ ISI journals; 20+ times annually:

Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Physical Review Fluids, Physics of Fluids, Acta Mechanica, Environmental Fluid Mechanics, International Journal of Multiphase Flow, Marine Forecasts, OMAE etc.

2016 Focus Session Chair in the 9th International Conference of Multiphase Flow, Florence, Italy.

2013 Session chair in the 8th International Conference of Multiphase Flow, Jeju, South Korea.

The group led by Zhao works in the field of turbulence and dispersed multiphase flow by high-fidelity numerical simulations (DNS, LES). The objective is to understand the dynamics of suspended particles, bubbles, or droplets in a turbulent carrier fluid and the mechanism of the interaction between dispersed phase and fluid phase. Our recent research interests or ongoing projects are:

• Non-spherical particle in wall turbulence

• Sedimentation by fully resolved simulations

• Active particles and navigation strategy obtained by deep reinforcement learning

• Particle-laden non-Newtonian flows

• Droplet and evaporation in turbulence

2022 First prize of teaching for young faculties of Tsinghua University

2022 Award for excellent PhD thesis supervisor of Tsinghua University (top 10%)

2016 National Thousand Talents Program for Young Scholars in China.

2015 Research featured in a Focus on Fluids article in the Journal of Fluid Mechanics.

2012 Finalist of Da Vinci Award: Best European Doctoral Thesis on Flow, Turbulence and Combustion (top 5 best European doctoral work in 2012) sponsored by European Research Community on Flow, Turbulence and Combustion (ERCOFTAC).

2008 Outstanding Dissertation Award sponsored by Brain Korea 21(BK21), South Korea.

2005 Award of Outstanding Bachelor Thesis in NUAA, China.

Journal Publications: >70 in Science Advances, PRL, JFM (13), JCP etc. (* - corresponding author):

2023

1. Rotational dynamics of a neutrally buoyant prolate spheroid in viscoelastic shear flows at finite Reynolds numbers. Y. Li, C. Xu, and L. Zhao*, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 958, A20 (2023).

2. Dynamics of inertial spheroids in a decaying Taylor-Green vortex flow. R. Jayaram*, Y. Jie, L. Zhao and H. Andersson, Physics of Fluids, 35, 033326 (2023) (Selected as a Featured Article).

3. Inertial torque on a squirmer. C. Fabien, J. Qiu, L. Zhao, G. Voth and B. Mehlig, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 953, R1 (2023) (Rapid).

2022

4. An implicit elastic stress/conformation tensor decoupling approach for viscoelastic flow simulation with a monolithic projection method. Y. Li, W. Huang, C. Xu and L. Zhao*, Journal of Computational Physics, 468, 111497 (2022)

5. Shape-dependent regions for inertialess spheroids in turbulent channel flow. Z. Cui, and L. Zhao*, Physics of Fluids, 34, 123316 (2022)

6. Navigation of micro-swimmers in steady flow: the importance of symmetries. J. Qiu, N. Mousavi, K. Gustavsson, C. Xu, B. Mehlig and L. Zhao*, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 932, A10 (2022).

7. On the existence and formation of multi-scale particle streaks in turbulent channel flows. Y. Jie, Z. Cui, C. Xu, L. Zhao*, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 935, A18 (2022).

8. Scale-dependent particle clustering in transitional wake flow. Z. Shi, F. Jiang, L. Zhao, H. Andersson, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 940, A4 (2022).

9. Dispersed multiphase flows: advances in measuring, simulation and modeling. C Marchioli* and L. Zhao*, Acta Mechanica Sinica, 38, 722900 (2022)

10. A Review on gyrotactic swimmers in turbulent flows. J. Qiu, C Marchioli* and L. Zhao*, Acta Mechanica Sinica, 38, 722323 (2022)

11. Chaotic rotation of a finite-size spheroidal particle in oscillating shear flows with fluid inertia. X. Jiang W. Huang, C. Xu and L. Zhao*, Physics of Fluids, 34, 103309 (2022) (Selected as a Featured Article).

12. Saving 80% polypropylene in facemasks by laser-assisted melt-blown nanofibers. C. Yang, X. Jiang, X. Gao, H. Wang, L. Li, N. Hussain, J. Xie, Z. Cheng, Z. Li, J. Yan, M. Zhong, L. Zhao*, and H. Wu*, Nano Letters, 22, 7212–7219 (2022).

13. Planar shear flow effects on particle dispersion over a normal flat plate. H. Mahamure, V. Narasimhamurthy, L. Zhao, Acta Mechanica, 233, 4615–4640 (2022).

14. Gyrotactic mechanism induced by fluid inertial torque for settling elongated microswimmers. J. Qiu, Z. Cui, E. Climent, L. Zhao*, Physical Review Research, 4, 023094 (2022).

15. High-throughput production of kilogram-scale nanofibers by Kármán vortex solution blow-spinning. Z. Li#, Z. Cui#, L. Zhao#, N. Hussain, Y. Zhao, C. Yang, X. Jiang, L. Li, J. Song, B. Zhang, Z. Cheng, H. Wu*, Science Advances, 8, eabn3690 (2022).

16. Active gyrotactic stability of microswimmers using hydromechanical signals. J. Qiu, N. Mousavi, L. Zhao*, K. Gustavsson* Physical Review Fluids, 7, 014311 (2022).

17. Micro-swimmers in vertical turbulent channel flows. Z. Zhang, J. Qiu, and L. Zhao*, International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 151, 104035 (2022).

18. Preferential orientation of tracer spheroids in evolving Taylor-Green vortex flow. R. Jayaram*, Y. Jie, L. Zhao and H. Andersson, Physics of Fluids, 34, 043310 (2022).

2021

19. Turbulence modulations and drag reduction by inertialess spheroids in turbulent channel flow. Z. Wang, C. Xu and L. Zhao*, Physics of Fluids, 33, 123313 (2021).

20. A method for long-time integration of finite-time Lyapunov exponent and Lyapunov vectors along fluid particle trajectories. Z. Cui and L. Zhao*, Physics of Fluids, 33, 125107 (2021).

21. Alignment of infinitesimal material elements in wall turbulence. Z. Cui, W. Huang, C. Xu, H. Andersson and L. Zhao*, International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 145, 103837 (2021).

22. Clusters and Coherent Voids in Particle-laden Wake Flow. Z. Shi, F. Jiang, L. Zhao, H. Andersson. International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 141, 103678 (2021).

23. Effects of the quiescent core in turbulent channel flow on transport and clustering of inertial particles Y. Jie, H. Andersson and L. Zhao*, International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 140, 103627 (2021).

24. Alignment and rotation of spheroids in unsteady vortex flow. R. Jayaram, Y. Jie, J. Gillissen, L. Zhao* and H. Andersson, Physics of Fluids, 33, 033310 (2021).

25. Inertial torque on a small spheroid in a uniform flow. F. Jiang, L. Zhao, H. Andersson, K. Gustavsson, A. Pumir and B. Mehlig*, Physical Review Fluids, 6, 024302 (2021).

2020

26. Alignment statistics of rods with the Lagrangian stretching direction in a channel flow. Z. Cui, Anshuman, L. Zhao* and B. Mehlig, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 901, A16 (2020).

27. Orientation of inertial spheroids in turbulent Couette-Poiseuille flow with a shear-free wall. K. Yang, L. Zhao* and H. Andersson, International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 132, 103411 (2020).

28. Kinetic energy balance in turbulent particle-laden channel flow. Q. Pan, H. Xiang, Z. Wang, H. Andersson and L. Zhao*, Physics of Fluids, 32, 073307 (2020).

29. Bow shock clustering in particle-laden wetted cylinder flow. Z. Shi, F. Jiang, H. Strandenes, L. Zhao and H. Andersson, International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 130, 103332 (2020).

30. Clustering of inertial spheres in evolving Taylor-Green vortex flow. R. Jayaram, Y. Jie, L. Zhao* and H. Andersson, Physics of Fluids 32, 043306 (2020). (Selected as a Featured Article)

31. Non-monotonic effect of mass loading on turbulence modulations in particle-laden channel flow. T. Zhou, L. Zhao, W. Huang and C. Xu*, Physics of Fluids, 32, 043304 (2020). (Editor’s Pick).

32. Swimming strategy of settling elongated micro-swimmers by reinforcement learning. J. Qiu, W. Huang, C. Xu and L. Zhao*, SCIENCE CHINA Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy, 63, 284711 (2020).

33. The particle stress in dilute suspensions of inertialess spheroids in turbulent channel flow. Z. Wang and L. Zhao*, Physics of Fluids, 32, 013302 (2020).

2019

34. Mapping spheroids’ rotation modes in turbulent channel flow: Effects of shear, turbulence, and particle inertia. L. Zhao*, N. Challabolta, H. Andersson and E. Variano, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 876, 19-54 (2019).

35. Settling tracer spheroids in vertical channel flows. J. Qiu, C. Marchioli, H. I. Andersson and L. Zhao*, International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 118, 173-182 (2019).

36. Diagnostic tools of particle rotation anisotropy. K. Yang, L. Zhao and H. I. Andersson, International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 120, 103078 (2019).

37. Influence of the quiescent core on tracer spheroidal particle dynamics in turbulent channel flow. Y. Jie, C. Xu, J. Dawson, H. Andersson and L. Zhao*, Journal of Turbulence, 20, 424-438 (2019).

38. Passive directors in turbulence. L. Zhao, K. Gustavsson, R. Ni, S. Kramel, G. Voth, H. Andersson and B. Mehlig, Physical Review Fluids, 4, 054602 (2019) (Editors’ Suggestion).

39. Stability analysis of rotational dynamics of ellipsoids in simple shear flow. Z. Cui, L. Zhao*, W. Huang and C. Xu, Physics of Fluids, 31, 023301 (2019) (Editor’s Pick).

40. Preferential orientation of tracer spheroids in turbulent channel flow. Y. Jie, L. Zhao*, C. Xu, and H. Andersson, Theoretical and Applied Mechanics Letters, 9, 212-214 (2019).

41. Eulerian-Lagrangian simulation of pulverized biomass jet using spheroidal particle approximation. N. Guo, T. Li*, L. Zhao and T. Lovas, Fuel, 239, 636-651 (2019).

42. On rotational dynamics of a finite-sized ellipsoidal particle in shear flows. R. Li, Z. Cui, W. Huang*, L. Zhao and C. Xu, Acta Mechanica, 230, 449–467 (2019).

2018

43. Mean-shear versus orientation isotropy: effects on inertialess spheroids' rotation mode in wall turbulence. K. Yang, L. Zhao* and H. I. Andersson, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 844, 796-816 (2018).

44. Lattice Boltzmann simulation of resolved oblate particles in wall turbulence. A. Eshghinejadfard*, L. Zhao and D. Thevenina, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 849, 510-540 (2018).

45. Three-dimensional Voronoï analysis of preferential concentration of spheroidal particles. W. Yuan, L. Zhao*, H. Andersson and J. Deng, Physics of Fluids, 30, 063304 (2018).

46. On wall-normal motions of inertial spheroids in vertical turbulent channel flows. W. Yuan, L. Zhao*, N. R. Challabotla, H. Andersson and J. Deng*, Acta Mechanica, 229, 2947–2965 (2018).

47. Particle segregation in turbulent Couette-Poiseuille flow with vanishing wall shear. K. Yang, L. Zhao* and H. Andersson, International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 98, 45-55 (2018).

2017

48. Preferential particle concentration in wall-bounded turbulence with zero skin friction. K. Yang, L. Zhao* and H. I. Andersson, Physics of Fluids, 29, 113302 (2017).

49. Dynamics of disk-like particles in turbulent vertical channel flow. W. Yuan, H.I. Andersson, L. Zhao*, N. Challabotla and J. Deng, International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 96, 86-100 (2017).

50. Turbulent Couette-Poiseuille flow with zero wall shear. K. Yang, L. Zhao* and H. Andersson, International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, 63, 14-27 (2017).

2016

51. Why spheroids orient preferentially in near-wall turbulence. L. Zhao* and H. I. Andersson, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 807, 221-234 (2016).

52. Orientation and rotation dynamics of triaxial ellipsoidal tracers in wall turbulence. N. Challabotla, L. Zhao* and H. I. Andersson, Physics of Fluids, 28, 123304 (2016).

53. On fiber behavior in turbulent vertical channel flow. N. Challabotla, L. Zhao* and H. I. Andersson, Chemical Engineering Science, 153, 75-86 (2016).

54. Gravity effects on fiber dynamics in wall turbulence. N. Challabotla*, L. Zhao and H. I. Andersson, Flow, Turbulence and Combustion, 97, 1095-1110 (2016).

55. A new Eulerian–Lagrangian agent method to model fish paths in a vertical slot fishway. Z. Gao*, H. I. Andersson, H. Dai, F. Jiang and L. Zhao, Ecological Engineering, 88, 217-225 (2016).

56. On the relative rotational motion between elongated fibers and fluid in turbulent channel flow. C. Marchioli, L. Zhao* and H. Andersson, Physics of Fluids, 28, 013301(2016).

2015-2010

57. Rotation of nonspherical particles in turbulent channel flow. L. Zhao*, N. Challabotla, H. Andersson and E. Variano, Physical Review Letters, 115, 244501(2015).

58. Shape effects on dynamics of inertia-free particles in wall turbulence. N. Challabotla, L. Zhao* and H. Andersson, Physics of Fluids, 27, 061703 (2015).

59. On the anisotropic vorticity in turbulent channel flows. H. I. Andersson, L. Zhao* and E. Variano, AMSE Journal of Fluid Engineering, 137,084503 (2015).

60. Orientation and rotation of inertial disk particles in wall turbulence. N. Challabotla, L. Zhao* and H. Andersson, Journal of Fluid Mechanics (Rapids), 766, R2 (2015). (JFM Focus on Fluids)

61. Slip velocity of rigid fibers in turbulent channel flow. L. Zhao*, C. Marchioli and H. Andersson, Physics of Fluids, 26, 063302(2014).

62. A Voronoi analysis of preferential concentration in a vertical channel flow. C. Nilsen, H. Andersson and L. Zhao, Physics of Fluids, 25, 115108(2013).

63. On inertial effects of long fibers in wall turbulence: fiber orientation and fiber stresses. L. Zhao*, H. Andersson and J. J. J. Gillissen, Acta Mechanica, 262, 2375–2384 (2013).

64. Bridging the gap between continuum mechanical micro-rotation viscosity and Lagrangian point-particles. H. Andersson and L. Zhao*, ASME Journal of Fluid Engineering, 135, 124502 (2013).

65. Interphasial energy transfer and particle dissipation in particle-laden wall turbulence. L. Zhao*, H. Andersson and J. J. J. Gillissen, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 715, 32-59 (2013).

66. Statistics of particle suspensions in turbulent channel flow. L. Zhao* and H. Andersson, Communications in Computational Physics, 11, 1311-1322 (2012).

67. Stokes number effects on particle slip velocity in wall-bounded turbulence and implications for dispersion models. L. Zhao*, C. Marchioli and H. Andersson, Physics of Fluids (Letters), 24, 021705 (2012).

68. Torque-coupling and particle-turbulence interactions. H. Andersson, L. Zhao and M. Barri, Journal of Fluid Mechanics (Rapids), 696, 319-329 (2012).

69. Numerical investigation of particles turbulent dispersion in channel flow. T. Li*, L. Zhao, X. Ku, H. Andersson and T. Lovas, Thermal Science, 16, 1510-1514 (2012).

70. On particle spin in a two-way coupled turbulent channel flow simulation. L. Zhao* and H. Andersson, Physics of Fluids, 23, 093302 (2011).

71. Turbulence modulation and drag reduction by spherical particles. L. Zhao*, H. Andersson and J. J. J. Gillissen, Physics of Fluids (Letters), 22, 081702 (2010).