About

Yuwei Fan is a Research Associate Professor of Restorative Sciences & Biomaterials and serves as the Research Operations Director in the Department of Restorative Sciences & Biomaterials at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. He is a biomaterials scientist with over 30 years of research experience, specializing in dental materials. Dr. Fan earned his PhD in Materials Physics and Chemistry with a focus on biomaterials in 2002 from Tsinghua University, China, and holds a Master's degree in Polymer Materials from Beijing Institute of Technology, obtained in 1998. Throughout his career, Dr. Fan has authored or co-authored 70 peer-reviewed publications, contributed to a book chapter, and presented more than 150 abstracts at conferences and meetings. He holds three patents and his publications have been widely cited, with an h-index of 26 and 3,663 citations according to Google Scholar, and an h-index of 22 with 2,342 citations as per Web of Science as of 2024. He has supervised and mentored over 100 residents and predoctoral students on their research projects, including research topic selection, protocol development, and progress monitoring. Since joining BU GSDM, Dr. Fan has developed numerous research topics and innovative techniques for educational research, including polymerization shrinkage stress, fracture toughness, viscoelastic property testing, color stability evaluation, surface texture measurement, cement bonding strength testing, dental biofilm structure, dental prosthesis accuracy testing, and X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Research topics

• Chemistry
• Nuclear chemistry
• Materials science
• Inorganic chemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Engineering
• Waste management
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Science
• Biomedical engineering
• Mathematics
• Mineralogy
• Composite material
• Crystallography
• Statistics
• Chemical engineering
• Environmental engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Environmental science
• Engineering drawing
• Pulp and paper industry

Selected publications

• The impact of pre-pregnancy body mass index and maternal diseases on the offspring outcomes in preterm infants < 32 weeks: five-year retrospective mediation analysis

  BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth · 2026-03-17

  articleOpen access

  Different pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) may lead to adverse pregnancy complications and unfavorable outcomes, but few studies focus on preterm infants under 32 gestational weeks. The associated mediation mechanisms have not been fully evaluated. This study investigated the association between BMI, pregnancy-associated diseases and offspring outcomes in preterm infants born before 32 gestational weeks, as well as analyzed the mediating role played by pregnancy-associated diseases in this context. A retrospective study involving 1466 preterm infants born before 32 gestational weeks (2017–2023) was conducted. Multivariate regression was utilized to analyze correlations between pre-pregnancy BMI categories, pregnancy-associated diseases, and offspring outcomes. Furthermore, a parallel mediation analysis (“lavaan” package in R software) along with a bootstrap test, was conducted to assess the direct/indirect effects. The high-BMI subgroup showed a notably higher prevalence of preeclampsia (OR = 3.273, 95% CI: 2.426–4.436) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (OR = 1.573, 95% CI: 1.223–2.022), along with lower gestational age and 1-min Apgar score in their preterm infants (P < 0.05). No statistical differences occurred in incidence of long-term complications (P > 0.05). The low-BMI subgroup had a reduced prevalence of GDM (P < 0.05). However, no statistical differences were found in its impact on offspring outcomes and complications (P > 0.05). Further exploration of the mediating effect revealed that both preeclampsia and GDM played a partial mediating role in the association between high BMI and gestational age, as well as between high BMI and 1-min Apgar score. Notably, preeclampsia had a relatively stronger mediating effect than GDM on the variance in gestational age (Indirect effect=-0.049 (-0.090, -0.008)) and 1-min Apgar score (Indirect effect=-0.078 (-0.139, -0.017)), accounted for 20.4% and 17.4% of the total effect, respectively. High maternal BMI partially reduced gestational age and 1-min Apgar score in patient with preeclampsia and GDM in preterm infants < 32 weeks. During the window of pre-pregnancy healthcare intervention, promoting weight management strategies could effectively reduce the incidence of GDM and preeclampsia, thereby mitigating adverse outcomes.

  PublisherDOI

• Wet Extraction of Elemental Phosphorus from Co-Incinerated Sewage Sludge ash

  Waste and Biomass Valorization · 2025-02-06 · 2 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Reclamation of available phosphorus and separation of heavy metals from sewage sludge via FeCl3-assisted electrokinetic treatment and pyrolysis

  Journal of Environmental Management · 2025-05-24 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  Recycling of sewage sludge and the endogenous phosphorus (P) is a promising strategy for sustainable development, while the disposal of heavy metals (HMs) in sewage sludge and the recovery of targeted P species remain challenges. An innovative method coupling electrokinetic treatment with pyrolysis was proposed in the present study to achieve the effective reclamation of available P and the separation of HMs from sewage sludge. The pristine and FeCl 3 -assisted electrokinetic treatment were employed for the removal of HMs from sewage sludge and to modify the P species, and the subsequent pyrolysis (300–700 °C) was conducted for the recovery of available P along with the production of biochar. The X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES), 31 P liquid nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and sequential chemical extraction were used to systematically determine the evolution of P during the combined treatment of sewage sludge. 19.69–24.80 % of Ni, Cu, and Zn were removed from sewage sludge after pristine electrokinetic treatment, and the HM removal efficiency was further elevated to 47.01–56.86 % with the assistance of FeCl 3 . Consequently, in comparison with the raw sewage sludge-derived biochars (SBs), the biochars derived from FeCl 3 -assisted electrokinetic treated sewage sludge (FESBs) contained much lower HM contents and showed higher stability of HMs. The FeCl 3 -assisted electrokinetic treatment converted alkaline biochars dominated by poorly soluble Ca-phosphates into neutral to slightly acidic biochars dominated by Al/Fe-associated phosphates. This transformation greatly improved the available P concentrations determined by diffusive gradients in thin film in FESBs by 0.6–1.3 folds compared to untreated SBs. Therefore, coupling FeCl 3 –assisted electrokinetic treatment with pyrolysis could be a promising strategy to achieve the reclamation of available P and the separation of HMs from sewage sludge. • An innovative FEK-Py scheme was proposed for value-added utilization of sewage sludge. • 47.0–56.9 % of Ni, Cu, and Zn were removed from sewage sludge via FEK treatment. • FEK-Py converted Ca/Mg-P dominated P into Fe/Al-P dominated P species in biochar. • Biochar (FESB) addition greatly elevated the soil available P content via DGT test.

  PublisherDOI

• The miR-122/P53/TIGAR signaling axis regulates glucose metabolic reprogramming induced by polystyrene nanoplastic particles

  Journal of Hazardous Materials · 2025-07-30 · 4 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Synthesis of Polysiloxane–Polyurethane Copolymers and Study on Their Properties

  ChemistrySelect · 2025-07-01 · 1 citations

  article

  Abstract Polysiloxane (PDMS) was introduced into polyurethane (PU), and PU‐PDMS copolymers with different contents of polysiloxane in the soft segment were synthesized by hydroxypropyl‐terminated polysiloxane, polybutanediol adipate (PBA), isophorone diisocyanate and 4, 4'‐Methylenebis (2‐methylcyclohexylamine) (MACM). The FTIR results showed that the typical characteristic absorption peak of polysiloxane appeared and became more obvious when the content of polysiloxane increased. The SEM, XRD, DSC, and DMA results showed that the copolymer stayed in nearly one single‐phase structure when the content of polysiloxane was either low or high, while it became a microphase separation structure when the content of polysiloxane was middle. The TGA results showed that the copolymer had brought in a positive effect on the thermal stability of PU when the content of polysiloxane increased. Besides, the copolymer still demonstrated acceptable thermal stability after aging. Tensile strength and elongation at break of this copolymer with higher content of polysiloxane remained acceptable after aging.

  PublisherDOI

• Use of High Phenyl‐Content Organosilicone and Ammonium Polyphosphate to Synergistically Enhance Flame‐Retardancy of Thermoplastic Polyurethane

  Journal of Vinyl and Additive Technology · 2025-10-07

  article

  ABSTRACT Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is restricted in some applications due to its flammability, making flame retardant modification necessary. In this study, octaphenylcyclotetrasiloxane (P 4 ) was utilized in conjunction with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to modify TPU for flame retardancy. Experimental results showed that adding 3 wt% APP and 5 wt% P 4 to TPU could achieve V‐0 level in the vertical burning test, and the limiting oxygen index significantly increased. Besides, smoke release and heat release were also obviously reduced. Additionally, the prepared P 4 synergistic flame retardant TPU maintained good mechanical properties, far superior to those of TPU solely modified with APP. It was found that low additions of P 4 could enhance the compatibility between APP and TPU, while higher P 4 additions may lead to aggregation. Furthermore, scanning electron microscope, thermogravimetric analysis, thermogravimetry‐infrared, and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy results revealed in detail the mechanism of P 4 synergistically enhancing the flame‐retardant performance of APP‐modified TPU.

  PublisherDOI

• [Clinical study of modified cervical cerclage at different surgical timings in twin pregnant women with cervical insufficiency].

  PubMed · 2025-02-25

  article1st authorCorresponding

  In twin pregnant women with cervical insufficiency, prophylactic cerclage has the same surgical effect as ultrasound-indicated cerclage, while both prophylactic cerclage and ultrasound-indicated cerclage could significantly improve maternal and fetal outcomes compared with emergency cerclage. Twin pregnancies with CL≤15 mm might benefit from cervical cerclage. Postoperative CRP>10 mg/L is an independent risk factor for preterm birth before 34 weeks of gestation.

  PublisherDOI

• Comparative analysis of the bond strength of digital denture base materials

  Journal of Prosthodontics · 2025-07-21 · 1 citations

  article

  PURPOSE: Evaluate the bond strength of commercial digital denture base materials to denture teeth and characterize composite resins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four square-shaped specimens were prepared from Lucitone 199 denture base disc (Dentsply Sirona), AvaDent denture base puck (AvaDent), KeyMill denture base disc (Keystone), Lucitone digital print denture base resin (Dentsply Sirona), Formlabs denture base resin (Formlabs), and Dentca denture base resin II (Dentca) to test the bond strength to manufacturer-recommended denture teeth and characterize composite resin. Bond strength was determined using the shear bond test. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's HSD test (α = 0.05). Failure mode for all debonded specimens was analyzed using a stereomicroscope. RESULTS: The milled bases exhibited better bonding to manufacturer-recommended denture teeth but showed a low bond strength to the characterizing composite resin. In contrast, the printed bases showed a low bond strength to the manufacturer-recommended denture teeth material but displayed a better bond strength to the characterizing composite resin. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the bond strength of milled denture bases to the manufacturer-recommended denture teeth is higher compared to that of printed denture bases, except for Lucitone 3D, which exhibited significantly higher bond strength when using Digital Fuse techniques. Future research should investigate surface modification strategies to improve long-term durability of bonds between denture bases and both denture teeth, and characterize composite resins as achieving reliable bonding to digital denture bases remains a clinical concern.

  PublisherDOI

• Relaxin‐2 Alleviated Ferroptosis and Inflammation in <scp>TNF</scp>‐α‐Treated Chondrocytes via Regulating the Nrf2/<scp>NF</scp>‐<scp>κB</scp> Signaling Pathway

  Peptide Science · 2025-01-25 · 2 citations

  article1st author

  ABSTRACT Excessive inflammatory responses and ferroptosis‐associated dysfunction of chondrocytes are significant pathological features of osteoarthritis (OA). Relaxin‐2, a well‐known hormone involved in metabolic regulation across various tissues and cells, has not been extensively studied in the context of chondrocyte dysfunction and OA. T/C‐28a2 cells were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) (10 ng/mL) with or without recombinant human relaxin‐2 (rh relaxin‐2) (25, 50 nM) for 48 h. Various techniques, including 2′,7′‐dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH‐DA) staining, real‐time PCR, western blot analysis, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and luciferase activity assays, were employed. We discovered that exposure to TNF‐α decreased the expression of Relaxin‐2 at both the mRNA and protein levels. Further investigation revealed that treatment with rh relaxin‐2 mitigated lipid peroxidation by reducing levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal (4‐HNE), while increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione (GSH) content. Notably, rh relaxin‐2 restored iron metabolism balance disrupted by TNF‐α in human T/C‐28a2 chondrocytes by decreasing Fe 2+ levels, downregulating transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1) gene expression, and upregulating ferritin gene expression. Additionally, rh relaxin‐2 alleviated ferroptosis induced by TNF‐α in these cells by increasing glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression, decreasing acyl‐CoA synthetase long‐chain family member 4 (ACSL4) expression, and reducing lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Rh relaxin‐2 also inhibited the TNF‐α‐induced expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6). Interestingly, rh relaxin‐2 attenuated TNF‐α‐induced chondrocyte degeneration by suppressing matrix metalloproteinase‐13 (MMP‐13) expression and preventing degradation of collagen type II alpha1 chain (Col2α). Mechanistically, these effects of rh relaxin‐2 were found to be mediated through the nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2)/NF‐κB signaling pathway. Our findings suggest that rh relaxin‐2 could be a potential therapeutic strategy for OA.

  PublisherDOI

• FGFR2-regulated cytoskeletal rearrangement disturbs autophagy flux induced by polystyrene nanoplastics

  The Science of The Total Environment · 2025-11-11 · 1 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Janet Moradian‐Oldak

  University of Southern California

  25 shared

• Zhi Sun

  University of Southern California

  21 shared

• Lynda F. Bonewald

  Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis

  20 shared

• Rajamani Lakshminarayanan

  Singapore Eye Research Institute

  18 shared

• John J. Godleski

  12 shared

• Xiaoming Xu

  Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans

  12 shared

• Graeme K. Hunter

  Dominican University College

  12 shared

• Jerry Q. Feng

  Shanxi Medical University

  12 shared

Labs

• Restorative Sciences & BiomaterialsPI

Education

• Ph.D., Materials Physics and Chemistry

  Tsinghua University (China)

  2002

• M.S., Polymer Materials

  Beijing Institute of Technology

  1998