Batchelor of science in Aerodynamics, Beijing Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BUAA), 07/1985

Qualification study for Ph.D. research (DEA）， Ecole Centrale de Paris， 07/1988

Ph.D. in Mechanics， University of Paris VI (ENSAM Paris)， 11/1992

Professor，Tsinghua University (1999-present）

Visiting Professor，Department of Mathematics. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (2000，2002)

Visiting Scholar, ENSAM Paris (1998)

Professor，Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics(1997-1999）

Visiting Scholar, ENSAM Paris (1995)

Associate Professor，Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (1994-1997)

Research Engineer, SINUMEF Laboratory of ENSAM Paris (1992-1994)

Science and Technology National Award for Youth， 2004

Class A NSF Award for Outstanding Young Scientist，2000

One-hundred Scholar Project of Tsinghua University，1999

Writing: academic writing, rhetorical modes

Aerodynamics: high speed flow, rarefied flow, vortex dynamics

Shock waves: shock reflection, shock interaction, application to airplanes and engines

Computational Fluid Dynamics: numerical analysis, algorithm

Others: entropy

Aerodynamics, Undergraduate course

Academic Writing and Expression for Graduate Students, Graduate Students

Paper Writing For Undergraduate Students, Undergraduate course

Associate editor of Journal of Fluid Mechanics,2022-today

Chair of the Sub-committee of the Academic Degree Committee for Mechanics, 2014-2025

Member of Committee of Academic Degree of Tsinghua University, 2014-2025

Associate editor of Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 2011-2025

Regional editor of Computers and Fluids (USA), 2004-2009

Secretary-general of the CFD conferences(4th Asia CFD conference）, 1999,2000

Wu, Z. N. (2026). The Four-Level Approach to Thesis Writing (in Chinese). Shaanxi Normal University Press.

Wu, Z. N. (2025). How to Spend Your College Years: Four Underlying Thinking Skills That Transcend Knowledge (in Chinese). Shaanxi Normal University Press.

Wu, Z. N. (2024). Navigation for Graduate Academic Life. Science Press.

Wu, Z. N. (2017). The Rhythm of Motion and the Changing World. Tsinghua University Press.

Wu, Z. N., Bai, C. Y., Li, J. & Chen Z.J. (2016). Aerodynamics. Beihang University Press.

Wu, Z. N., Wang, B., Zhou, R. & Xu S.S. (2008). Aerodynamics: Volume I-II. Tsinghua University Press.

Wu, Z. N. (2001). Elements of Computational Fluid Dynamics (in Chinese). Chinese Science Publisher.

Wu, Z. N. (2026). The Generalized Coordinate System for Rhetorical Modes. Preprints.org, 202602.0616. https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202602.0616 (v2)

Wu, Z. N. (2025). Duality-based mode operation and pyramid multilayer mapping for rhetorical modes. arXiv preprint arXiv:2511.06601.

Wang, X.-Y., Peng, J. & Wu, Z.-N. (2026). Steady shock reflection over the full range of geometric set-ups. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 1040, A18.

Wang, X.-Y., & Wu, Z.-N. (2026). The dual-solution stability gap and dynamic transition from steady regular reflection to unstable Mach reflection. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 1031, A31.

Wang, X.-Y., & Wu, Z.-N. (2026b). Steady shock reflection over the full range of geometric set-ups. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 1040, A18.

Wang, X.-Y., & Wu, Z.-N. (2026a). The dual-solution stability gap and dynamic transition from steady regular reflection to unstable Mach reflection. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 1031, A31.

Xu Z, Wang M-M, Luo Z, Wu Z-N. (2026) Triple points and overpressure in reflection of a rightward-moving shock of the first family over a steady oblique shock wave. Journal of Fluid Mechanics. 1030:A64.

Wang, M. M., & Wu, Z. N. (2025). Reflection of moving shock wave over Prandtl-Meyer expansion waves. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 1020, A5.

Wang M, Xu Z, Wu Z. (2024) Reflection of a rightward-moving oblique shock of first family over a steady oblique shock wave. Journal of Fluid Mechanics. 2024;979:A28

Bai, C. Y., & Wu, Z. N. (2022). Type IV shock interaction with a two-branch structured transonic jet. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 941, A45.

Bai, C. Y., & Wu, Z. N. (2022). The transit time difference of fluid particles moving along the upper and lower surfaces of a lift-producing airfoil. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 35(2), 8-11.

Wang, M. M., & Wu, Z. N. (2021). Reflection of a moving shock wave over an initially steady oblique shock wave. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 34(5), 399-403.

Guan, X. K., Bai, C. Y., Lin, J., & Wu, Z. N. (2020). Mach reflection promoted by an upstream shock wave. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 903, A44.

Guan, X. K., Bai, C. Y., & Wu, Z. N. (2020). Double solution and influence of secondary waves on transition criteria for shock interference in pre-Mach reflection with two incident shock waves. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 887, A22.

Li, S. C., Bai, C. Y., Lin, J., & Wu, Z. N. (2020). Turbulent Wagner problem with transition. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 33(1), 1-4.

Chen, Z. J., Bai, C. Y., & Wu, Z. N. (2020). Mach reflection in steady supersonic flow considering wedge boundary-layer correction. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 33(2), 465-475.

Bai, C. Y., Li, S., & Wu, Z. N. (2020). Unsteady Supersonic Flow for a Plate Undergoing Three-Stage Sinking Motion. AIAA Journal, 58(1), 243-254.

Bai, C. Y., Li, S., & Wu, Z. N. (2019). Supersonic starting flow by accelerated sinking movement to large angle of attack. AIAA Journal, 57(5), 1988-2000.

Lin, J., Bai, C. Y., & Wu, Z. N. (2019). Study of asymmetrical shock wave reflection in steady supersonic flow. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 864, 848-875.

Bai, C. Y., Li, J., Li, S., Li, S. C., & Wu, Z. N. (2019). Review of theoretical achievements for starting flow problem for all Mach numbers. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 32(1), 78-91.

Guan, X. K., Bai, C. Y., & Wu, Z. N. (2018). Steady Mach reflection with two incident shock waves. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 855, 882-909.

Lu, J., Gao, Y. L., Wang, X. J., Bai, C. Y., Wang, B., & Wu, Z. N. (2018). 80 years education of aerospace science and technology in Tsinghua University. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 31(9), 1797-1804.

Bai, C. Y., Li, J., & Wu, Z. N. (2018). Subsonic impulsively starting flow at a high angle of attack with shock wave and vortex interaction. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 31(9), 1822-1828.

Li, J., & Wu, Z. N. (2018). Vortex force map method for viscous flows of general airfoils. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 836, 145-166.

Chen, Z. J., Lin, J., Bai, C. Y., & Wu, Z. N. (2018). A self-similar solution of a curved shock wave and its time-dependent force variation for a starting flat plate airfoil in supersonic flow. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 31(2), 205-213.

Guan, N. X., Wang, B., & Wu, Z. N. (2018). A brief overview of the School of Aerospace Engineering of Tsinghua University. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 31(9), 1805-1814.

Bai, C. Y., & Wu, Z. N. (2017). Hybrid Riemann/self-similar flow structure by steady- and unsteady-wave interaction. AIAA Journal, 55(12), 4193-4202.

Bai, C. Y., & Wu, Z. N. (2017). Size and shape of shock waves and slipline for Mach reflection in steady flow. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 818, 116-140.

Wu, Z. N., Li, J., & Bai, C. Y. (2017). Scaling relations of lognormal type growth process with an extremal principle of entropy. Entropy, 19(2), 56.

Bai, C. Y., & Wu, Z. N. (2017). Supersonic indicial response with nonlinear corrections by shock and rarefaction waves. AIAA Journal, 55(3), 883-893.

Li, J., & Wu, Z. N. (2016). A vortex force study for a flat plate at high angle of attack. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 801, 222-249.

Bai, C. Y., & Wu, Z. N. (2016). Hypersonic starting flow at high angle of attack. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 29(2), 297-304.

Li, J., & Wu, Z. N. (2015). Unsteady lift for the Wagner problem in the presence of additional leading/trailing edge vortices. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 769, 182-217.

Li, J., Xu, Y. Z., & Wu, Z. N. (2015). Kutta-Joukowski force expression for viscous flow. SCIENCE CHINA Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy, 58(2), 1-5.

Li, J., Bai, C. Y., & Wu, Z. N. (2014). A two-dimensional multibody integral approach for forces in inviscid flow with free vortices and vortex production. Journal of Fluids Engineering, 137(2), 021205.

Bai, C. Y., & Wu, Z. N. (2014). Generalized Kutta-Joukowski theorem for multi-vortex and multi-body flow (a lumped vortex model). Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 27(1), 34-39.

Bai, C. Y., Li, J., & Wu, Z. N. (2014). Generalized Kutta-Joukowski theorem for multi-vortex and multi-airfoil flow with vortex production—A general model. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 27(5), 1037-1050.

Wang, W. B., Hu, R. F., Xu, S. J., & Wu, Z. N. (2013). Influence of aspect ratio on tumbling plates. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 733, 650-679.

Yao, Y., Li, S. G., & Wu, Z. N. (2013). Shock reflection in the presence of an upstream expansion wave and a downstream shock wave. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 735, 61-90.

Wang, W. B., Wu, Z. N., Wang, C. F., & Hu, R. F. (2013). Modelling the spreading rate of controlled communicable epidemics through an entropy-based thermodynamic model. SCIENCE CHINA Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy, 56(11), 2143-2150.

Xu, Y. Z., Xu, Z. Q., Li, S. G., Li, J., Bai, C. Y., & Wu, Z. N. (2013). A hypersonic lift mechanism with decoupled lift and drag surfaces. SCIENCE CHINA Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy, 56(5), 981-988.

Wu, Z. N., Xu, Y. Z., Wang, W. B., & Hu, R. F. (2013). Review of shock wave detection method in CFD post-processing. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 26(3), 501-513.

Wang, X. X., & Wu, Z. N. (2012). Lift force reduction due to body image of vortex for a hovering flight model. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 709, 648-658.

Li, S. G., Gao, B., & Wu, Z. N. (2011). Time history of regular to Mach reflection transition in steady supersonic flow. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 682, 160-184.

Wu, Z. N., Hu, R. F., Qu, X., & Wang, X. (2011). Space debris reentry analysis methods and tools. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, 24(4), 387-395.

Tian, Z. W., Niu, H. T., & Wu, Z. N. (2011). Flow past polygons with an odd number of edges. SCIENCE CHINA Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy, 54(4), 683-689.

Gao, B., & Wu, Z. N. (2010). A study of the flow structure for Mach reflection in steady supersonic flow. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 656, 29-50.

Wang, X. X., & Wu, Z. N. (2010). Stroke-averaged lift forces due to vortex rings and their mutual interactions for a flapping flight model. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 654, 453-472.

Tian, Z. W., & Wu, Z. N. (2009). A study of two-dimensional flow past regular polygons via conformal mapping. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 628, 121-154.

Xu, S. S., Wu, Z. N., Li, Q., & Hong, Y. J. (2009). Hybrid continuum/DSMC computation of rocket mode lightcraft flow in near space with high temperature and rarefaction effect. Computers & Fluids, 38(7), 1394-1404.

Hu, R. F., Wu, Z. N., Wu, Z., Wang, X. X., & Tian, Z. W. (2009). Aerodynamic map for soft and hard hypersonic level flight in near space. Acta Mechanica Sinica, 25(4), 571-575.

Tan, B. H., Wang, L. Z., & Wu, Z. N. (2008). An approximate expression for the coagulation coefficient of bipolarly charged particles in an alternating electric field. Journal of Aerosol Science, 39(9), 793-800.

Lei, H., Wang, L. Z., & Wu, Z. N. (2008). EHD turbulent flow and Monte-Carlo simulation for particle charging and tracing in a wire-plate electrostatic precipitator. Journal of Electrostatics, 66(3), 130-141.

Zhou, R., & Wu, Z. N. (2007). Fire whirls due to surrounding flame sources and the influence of the rotation speed on the flame height. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 583, 313-345.

Wu, Z. N., Xu, S. S., Gao, B., & Li, S. G. (2007). Review of numerical computation of compressible flows with artificial interfaces. Computers & Fluids, 36(10), 1657-1679.

Hui, W. H., Wu, Z. N., & Gao, B. (2007). Preliminary extension of the unified coordinate system approach to computation of viscous flows. Journal of Scientific Computing, 30(2), 301-344.

Gao, B., Xu, S. S., & Wu, Z. N. (2007). A note on hybrid Eulerian/Lagrangian computation of compressible inviscid and viscous flows. Journal of Computational Physics, 226(1), 1-16.

Feng, X. Q., Gao, X. F., Wu, Z. N., Jiang, L., & Zheng, Q. S. (2007). Superior water repellency of water strider legs with hierarchical structures: experiments and analysis. Langmuir, 23(9), 4892-4896.

Chen, Z., Gao, B., & Wu, Z. N. (2007). Compressible flow equations based on moving coordinates determined by the wave speed. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids, 53, 149-174.

Gan, C. J., & Wu, Z. N. (2006). Short-wave instability due to wall slip and numerical observation of wall-slip instability for microchannel flows. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 550, 289-306.

Tan, L. H., Ren, Y. X., & Wu, Z. N. (2006). Analytical and numerical study of the near flow field and shape of the Mach stem in steady flows. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 546, 341-362.

Du, T., Wu, Z. N., & Wang, B. (2006). On steady state computation of turbulent flows using k–ε models approximated by the time splitting method. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids, 51(1), 77-115.

Gao, B., & Wu, Z. N. (2005). Physically related coordinate system for compressible flow. Modern Physics Letters B, 19, 1455-1458.

Wu, Z. N. (2005). A model study for the steady state error of numerical approximations of inviscid flow equations on Cartesian grid. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids, 48(5), 541-564.

Ren, Y. X., Tan, L. H., Gao, B., & Wu, Z. N. (2005). On the characteristics of the Mach stem. Modern Physics Letters B, 19, 1511-1514.

Du, T., & Wu, Z. N. (2005). Mixed analytical/numerical method applied to the high Reynolds number k–ε turbulence model. Computers & Fluids, 34(1), 97-119.

Wu, Z. N. (2004). A note on the flow equations under space-time transformation. ZAMM‐Journal of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, 84(9), 647-655.

Du, T., & Wu, Z. N. (2004). Mixed analytical/numerical method for low Reynolds-number k-epsilon turbulence models. AIAA Journal, 42(6), 1140-1153.

Li, K., & Wu, Z. N. (2004). Nonet-Cartesian grid method for shock flow computations. Journal of Scientific Computing, 20(3), 303-329.

Tan, B. H., & Wu, Z. N. (2004). Flux spikes in viscous flows. Mathematical Models & Methods in Applied Sciences, 14(1), 143-163.

Lei, H., Wang, L. Z., & Wu, Z. N. (2004). Applications of upwind and downwind schemes for calculating electrical conditions in a wire-plate electrostatic precipitator. Journal of Computational Physics, 193(2), 697-707.

Wu, Z. N. (2003). Approximate critical Weber number for the breakup of an expanding torus. Acta Mechanica, 166(1-4), 231-239.

Gan, C. J., & Wu, Z. N. (2003). Symmetric mode instability of the slipflow model for flows in a microchannel with a vanishing Reynolds number. Acta Mechanica Sinica, 19(5), 420-426.

Wu, Z. N. (2003). Prediction of the size distribution of secondary ejected droplets by crown splashing of droplets impinging on a solid wall. Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics, 18(3), 241-249.

Wu, Z. N. (2003). Numerical dissipation for three-point difference schemes to hyperbolic equations with uneven meshes. Journal of Computational Mathematics, 21(4), 519-534.

Wu, Z. N. (2003). Velocity in a liquid subjected to a shear force at the liquid surface with a receding velocity. Acta Mechanica Sinica, 19(3), 213-219.

Wu, Z. N. (2003). Conservation of three-point compact schemes on single and multiblock patched grids for hyperbolic problems. Journal of Computational Mathematics, 21(3), 383-400.

Wu, Z. N., & Zou, H. (2003). Efficient parallel method for implicit upwind schemes approximating the Euler equations in gas dynamics. Journal of Computational Physics, 187(2), 683-715.

Wu, Z. N., & Li, K. (2003). Anisotropic Cartesian grid method for steady inviscid shocked flow computation. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids, 41(10), 1053-1084.

Du, T., Shi, J., & Wu, Z. N. (2003). Mixed analytical/numerical method for flow equations with a source term. Computers & Fluids, 32(5), 659-690.

Wu, Z. N. (2002). Interface treatment of a three-dimensional hybrid inviscid/viscous flow problem. Mathematical Models & Methods in Applied Sciences, 12(12), 1707-1724.

Lei, H., Wang, L. Z., & Wu, Z. N. (2002). Integral analysis of a magnetic field for an arbitrary geometry coil with rectangular cross section. IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, 38(6), 3589-3593.

Wu, Z. N. (2002). Expansion fan in forced and passively moving frames. Acta Mechanica, 156(3-4), 235-247.

Lei, H., Wang, L. Z., Wu, Z. N., et al. (2002). Collision and coalescence of alumina particles in the vertical bending continuous caster. ISIJ International, 42(7), 717-725.

Wu, Z. N. (2002). A note on the unified coordinate system for computing shock waves. Journal of Computational Physics, 180(1), 110-119.

Wu, Z. N., & Fu, S. (2002). Positivity of k-epsilon turbulence models for incompressible flow. Mathematical Models & Methods in Applied Sciences, 12(3), 393-406.

Du, Q., Mu, M., & Wu, Z. N. (2002). Efficient parallel algorithms for parabolic problems. SIAM Journal on Numerical Analysis, 39(5), 1469-1487.

Wu, Z. N. (2001). Transmission of a slowly moving shock across a nonconservative interface. Journal of Computational Physics, 171(2), 579-615.

Wu, Z. N. (2001). Most unstable waves of a stagnant planar liquid film blown by a high speed viscous gas with a Blasius velocity profile. Acta Mechanica, 149(1-4), 69-83.

Wu, Z. N. (2000). Linear well-posedness of a hybrid inviscid/viscous flow problem with smooth and discontinuous solutions at the interface. Acta Mechanica, 145(1), 19-34.

Wu, Z. N., & Zou, H. (2000). Grid overlapping for implicit parallel computation of compressible flows. Journal of Computational Physics, 157, 2-43.

Wu, Z. N. (1999). Steady and unsteady shock waves on overlapping grids. SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing, 20(5), 1851-1874.

Granier, B., Lerat, A., & Wu, Z. N. (1997). An implicit centered scheme for steady and unsteady incompressible one and two-phase flows. Computers & Fluids, 26(4), 373-393.

Lerat, A., & Wu, Z. N. (1996). Stable conservative multidomain treatments for implicit Euler solvers. Journal of Computational Physics, 123, 45-64.

Wu, Z. N. (1996). Uniqueness of steady state solutions for difference equations on overlapping grids. SIAM Journal on Numerical Analysis, 33, 1336-1357.

Wu, Z. N. (1996). Convergence study of an implicit multidomain method for compressible flow computations. Computers & Fluids, 25, 181-196.