About

Dr. Chengying "Cheryl" Xu is a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at NC State University. Her research interests include advanced manufacturing of multifunctional materials, sensor design and manufacturing in harsh environments, process optimization, and sensor-based health monitoring and control through artificial intelligence (AI). She actively researches materials processing and advanced manufacturing, focusing on manufacturing multifunctional ceramic materials with electrical, dielectric, mechanical, and thermal properties suitable for high-temperature applications. Her work aims to provide flexibility in design and manufacturing to meet application requirements such as high-temperature sensor design for extreme conditions, and to integrate these technologies into devices critical for industry and federal laboratories. Dr. Xu has co-authored a textbook titled "Intelligent Systems: Modeling, Optimization and Control" and published five book chapters. She has been involved in significant professional service, including chairing the 1st NSF National Wireless Research Collaboration Workshop in 2015 and serving as Editor-in-Chief at Nature Portfolio: npj Advanced Manufacturing. She has also served as an Associate Editor of ASME Transactions since 2015. Her research focuses on developing practical manufacturing processes to transform new materials into engineering components and devices, understanding the fundamental physics and chemistry of manufacturing processes, and applying AI and machine learning to manufacturing. Her work supports the development of next-generation energy, environmental, aerospace, and defense applications.

Research topics

• Engineering
• Computer Science
• Composite material
• Artificial Intelligence
• Materials science
• Data Mining
• Industrial engineering
• Engineering physics
• Optoelectronics
• Physics
• Manufacturing engineering
• Data science
• Acoustics
• Electrical engineering

Selected publications

• Multiscale self-consistent cluster modeling of porosity evolution in additive manufactured metals post-processed by ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification

  Journal of Manufacturing Processes · 2026-05-12

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Research on two-degree-of-freedom antidisturbance servo control for electromagnetic fast steering mirror

  2025-02-20

  article

  To improve the control bandwidth, precision, and anti-interference capability of electromagnetic fast steering mirrors (FSM), a two-degree-of-freedom electromagnetic FSM control system based on active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) is proposed. The control system adopts a feedback-based two-degree-of-freedom algorithm with ADRC, adding a derivative term filter and an active disturbance rejection controller to the traditional PID control algorithm, enabling simultaneous response to setpoint changes and system disturbances. A corresponding simulation system was established for controller debugging. The control parameters obtained from simulation were applied to the actual hardware platform. Test results show that the two-degree-of-freedom electromagnetic FSM control system based on ADRC further improved the system's dynamic and steady-state performance, increasing the FSM bandwidth to 900Hz@-3dB. When applied to laser terminal tracking systems, the tracking accuracy was better than 5μrad (3σ), effectively improving system precision and anti-interference capability.

  PublisherDOI

• Model Predictive Current Control With Adaptive Neural Network-Based Sliding Mode Observer for IPMSM

  IEEE Access · 2025-01-01

  articleOpen access

  This study presents a novel model predictive current control (MPCC) strategy for an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) drive. The proposed MPCC integrates a sliding mode observer (SMO) with a data-driven adaptive neural network (ANN) to enhance control performance. Traditional continuous control set model predictive current control (CCS-MPCC) is highly sensitive to motor parameter variations, necessitating improved robustness. To overcome this limitation, the proposed method aims to mitigate CCS-MPCC’s parameter sensitivity while strengthening disturbance rejection in current control. The study first formulates the modeling and control strategies for CCS-MPCC, incorporating the effects of time delay on the <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">dq</i>-axis of the IPMSM. Additionally, the lumped parameter disturbances in the <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">dq</i>-axis are characterized. A detailed analysis of ANN-based SMO is then presented, demonstrating its ability to estimate the lumped parameter disturbances in <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">dq</i>-axis current control. To further enhance performance, an ANN is integrated into the traditional SMO to estimate the <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">dq</i>-axis lumped parameters disturbance, thereby reducing the required switching gains. Finally, experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed MPCC approach, which integrates CCS-MPCC with ANN-based SMO, in improving the performance of IPMSM drives operating in the constant torque region.

  PublisherDOI

• The Hidden Health Penalty for the Poor: How Food Delivery Consumption Exacerbates Socio-Metabolic Vulnerability to Drive Obesity in Urban China

  Research Square · 2025-10-06

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Robust Deadbeat Predictive Current Control Using Intelligent Integral Sliding Mode Control for Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Drive

  IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification · 2025-02-06 · 4 citations

  articleSenior author

  This study presents a robust deadbeat predictive current control (DPCC) strategy for an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM) drive. The proposed scheme integrates an adaptive neural network (ANN) with an intelligent integral sliding mode control (ISMC). Since DPCC is sensitive to variations in motor drive parameters and external disturbances, enhancing its robustness is crucial. To address these challenges, the study focuses on mitigating parameter sensitivity and improving the disturbance rejection capability of DPCC. First, the modeling and control strategies of DPCC are derived, incorporating the effects of time delays on the <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">dq</i>-axis of the IPMSM. Disturbance terms for the <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">dq</i>-axis are also formulated. Next, a detailed analysis of ISMC is provided, demonstrating its ability to manage model parameter mismatches and disturbances in <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">dq</i>-axis current control for the IPMSM drive. To further optimize performance, an ANN is employed to estimate the <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">dq</i>-axis disturbance terms, enabling a reduction in the switching gains of the ISMC and resulting in a more efficient intelligent ISMC. Finally, experimental results are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed robust DPCC using intelligent ISMC for the IPMSM drive, particularly in the constant torque region.

  PublisherDOI

• The role of cellular senescence in cardiovascular disease

  Cell Death Discovery · 2025-10-06 · 7 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  The incidence of cardiovascular diseases rises significantly with age, making it one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, and cellular senescence plays a crucial role in this process. Cellular senescence constitutes a salient feature of organismal aging and stands as an independent risk factor for a range of cardiovascular diseases, encompassing hypertension, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and arrhythmia. This comprehensive review endeavors to comprehensively delineate the intricate regulatory mechanisms underlying cellular senescence and its attendant biological implications, while elucidating the profound implications of this process on the initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Finally, we will delve into a spectrum of targeted interventions aimed at cellular senescence, specifically focusing on eliminating the accumulation of senescent cells during disease progression or inhibiting the inherent cellular senescence processes. Our ultimate goal is to mitigate or postpone the onset of diseases that are intricately linked to cellular senescence. A profound comprehension and rigorous investigation into the regulatory mechanisms of cellular senescence and their intricate interrelationships hold significant potential to furnish invaluable scientific evidence for the prevention and therapeutic strategies against cardiovascular diseases.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Synthesis of hafnium carbide (HfC) via one‐step selective laser reaction pyrolysis from liquid polymer precursor

  Journal of the American Ceramic Society · 2025-05-14 · 7 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Abstract This study introduces a novel one‐step selective laser reaction pyrolysis (SLRP) method for synthesizing hafnium carbide (HfC), an ultrahigh‐temperature ceramic (UHTC). Unlike conventional methods that involve multiple steps, including crosslinking and pyrolysis, this approach combines both processes into a single laser‐driven step, reducing time and energy consumption. The CO 2 infrared (IR) laser ( λ = 10.6 µm) used in this technique enables localized heating up to 2000°C within seconds, facilitating the conversion of a liquid polymer precursor into HfC. Material characterization using x‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the crystallinity and phase purity of the synthesized HfC powder. To study energy absorption, thermal and photo‐activators were added to the precursor before laser exposure. The thermal activator had a negligible impact on reflectivity but yielded a pure HfC phase, demonstrating the potential for optimized precursor formulations to enhance efficiency without compromising purity. The one‐step process was successfully applied for additive manufacturing, depositing HfC coatings onto carbon–carbon (C/C) composite substrates. This technique eliminates the need for high‐temperature furnaces, enabling rapid fabrication of UHTC components and advancing scalable, energy‐efficient manufacturing. The study highlights its potential for energy, aerospace, and other extreme environment applications.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• High-temperature dielectric characterization and compositional tailoring of oxide-oxide ceramic matrix composites

  2025-05-28

  article

  Oxide-oxide ceramic matrix composites are a proven material for low density, high-temperature components in aerospace, advanced energy and industrial applications that demand high thermostructural performance. Yet, the industry lacks high-temperature application data for Ox/Ox CMCs. Axiom Materials, Inc in collaboration with North Carolina State University, and 3M Advanced Materials furthers the development of CMC’s through characterization and analysis of the high temperature thermal & dielectric properties of Ox/Ox CMC’s with various NextelTM Ceramic Fiber preform architectures to enable flexibility in the engineering and design of high-temperature components, including those for aerospace and hypersonic TPS structures with or without RF transmission requirements. Work on controlling the dielectric constant of Ox-Ox CMCs by controlling the composition of a co-cured surfacing film will also be presented.

  PublisherDOI

• Dual-Layer Model Predictive Control for Autonomous Capture of Failed Targets under Complex Obstacle Conditions

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2025-01-01

  preprintOpen access1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• A Low‐Temperature Solar Salt Approach to Fabricate Crystalline Polymeric Carbon Nitride for H ₂ O ₂ Efficient Photosynthesis

  Advanced Science · 2025-10-13 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Photocatalytic technology based on polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) offers a sustainable and ecofriendly approach to hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) production field. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of PCN is significantly hindered by the strong binding energy of excitons and slow transfer ability of carriers. Herein, SS‐UPCN‐375 photocatalyst is prepared by one‐pot solar salt (60% NaNO 3 –40% KNO 3 ) thermal polymerization at 375 °C for the first time using nitrogen‐rich precursors. The use of solar salt as a thermal reaction medium facilitates rapid control of the crystallization process and the electronic structure of photocatalysts, and yielding SS‐UPCN‐375 characterized by high crystallinity, augmented visible light utilization, and efficient exciton dissociation capability. Most importantly, SS‐UPCN‐375 demonstrates outstanding H 2 O 2 artificial photosynthesis through two‐step single‐electron oxygen reduction reaction pathways, and achieves an impressive H 2 O 2 production rate of 1.80 mmol L −1 h −1 , which is almost 6.7 times superior to that of pristine UPCN. In short, a novel approach that employs solar salt as a low‐temperature solvent to specifically tailor the grain boundary structure and chemical composition of PCN is presented, and it further offers essential guidance for designing high‐performance PCN‐based photocatalysts to promote H 2 O 2 artificial photosynthesis.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• S. Hossein Mousavinezhad

  Idaho State University

  36 shared

• Linan An

  Dongguan University of Technology

  30 shared

• Ni Yang

  Yunnan University

  28 shared

• Yung C. Shin

  Purdue University West Lafayette

  23 shared

• Yujun Jia

  Northwestern Polytechnical University

  17 shared

• Tosin D. Ajayi

  13 shared

• Shaofan Xu

  Virginia Tech

  12 shared

• Md Atiqur Rahman Chowdhury

  North Carolina State University

  11 shared

Awards & honors

• Chair of the 1st NSF National Wireless Research Collaboratio…
• Editor-in-Chief at Nature Portfolio: npj Advanced Manufactur…
• Associate Editor of ASME Transactions since 2015
• Named to the SME College of Fellows