Ph.D. (Materials Science and Engineering), Northwestern Polytechnic University, 1990
M.S. (Materials Science and Engineering), Northwestern Polytechnic University, 1987
B.S. (Mechanical Engineering), Hefei Polytechnic University, 1984

Assistant Professor, The University of Akron, 2006-Present
Senior Research Associate, Brown University, 1999-2006
Visiting Scientist/Alexander von Humboldt Scholar, German Aerospace Center, 1997-1999
Assistant Professor/Associate Professor/Professor, Hebei University of Technology, China, 1990-1997

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
American Society for Composites
Materials Research Society (MRS)

Humboldt Fellowship Award, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany, 1997

Micro- and nano-mechanics of composite materials
Multiscale/Multi-physics modeling and simulation
Sensing, damage detection and structural health monitoring
Structural dynamics and FE analysis
Multifunctional and biomimetic materials
Nano-Bio/Nano-structure interaction
Characterization of composites, nano-materials and thin films
Processing of composite materials
Metal casting

Published over 60 refereed papers, and 2 book chapters
Book chapters:

• “Multiscale Modeling and Simulation of Composite Materials and Structures”, Springer, (2007).
• "A New Handbook for Mechanical Engineers”, Chinese Light-Industry Press, (1994)

Selected Recent Publications:
 
• Z. H. Xia, P. Guduru and W. A. Curtin, “Enhancing Mechanical Properties of Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes via sp3 Inter-wall Bridging”, Physical Review Letters (2007) in press.
• Z. H. Xia, and J.Y.Liang, “Biomimetic Nanocontact and Adhesion of Carbon Nanotube for Dry Adhesives”, MRS Proceedings (2007) in press.
• Z. H. Xia, and W. A. Curtin, “Modeling of Damage Detection in CFRPs by Electrical Resistance Change”, Composites Science and Technology 67, 1518-1529 (2007)
• P. R. Guduru, and Z. H. Xia, “Shell Buckling of Imperfect Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes—Experiments and Analysis”, Experimental Mechanics, 47, 153–161 (2007)
• Q.K.Yu, G.T.Qin, H. Li, Z.H. Xia, Y.B. Nian, and S.S.Pei, “Mechanism of Horizontally Aligned Growth of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes on R-Plane Sapphire”, Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 110, 22676-22680 (2006)
• Z. H. Xia, and W. A. Curtin, “Pullout Forces and Friction in Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes," Physical Review B 69, 233408 (2004).
• Z. H. Xia, L. Riester, W. A. Curtin, H. Li, B. W. Sheldon, J. Liang, B. Chang and J. Xu, “Direct Observation of Toughening Mechanisms in Carbon-nanotube Ceramic Matrix Composites”, Acta Materialia, 52, 931-944 (2004)
• Z.H. Xia, W. A. Curtin, and B. W. Sheldon, “A New Method to Evaluate the Fracture Toughness of Thin Films”, Acta Materialia, 52, 3507-3517 (2004)
• Z.H. Xia, W. A. Curtin and P.W.M. Peters, “Multiscale Modeling of Failure In Metal Matrix Composites”, Acta Materialia, 49, 273-287 (2001).
• Z.H. Xia and W. A. Curtin, “Life Prediction of Titanium MMCs under Low-Cycle Fatigue”, Acta Materialia, 49, 1633-1646 (2001).
• Z.H. Xia and W. A. Curtin, “Tough to Brittle Transitions in Ceramic Matrix Composites with Increasing Interfacial Shear Stress”, Acta Materialia, 48, 4879-4892 (2000).