Fu Tianyu, class of 2025 in Mechanical Engineering
She has performed excellently in academic competitions, winning a series of awards including the Gold Medal in the China International College Students' "Internet+" Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, the Honorable Mention (H Award) in the Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MCM), and the Second Prize in the Zhejiang University College Students' Mechanical Innovation Design Competition.
In terms of academic performance, she has consistently maintained outstanding results, ranking among the top in her major. She has been awarded honors such as the National Scholarship, the Zhejiang Provincial Government Scholarship, and the First-Class Scholarship of Zhejiang University.
In terms of research, she published a paper as the first author in the SCI journal Micromachines, entitled "Novel Atomic Force Microscope Nanospherical Probes for Improving the Measurement Accuracy of Polymer Elastic Modulus", demonstrating strong academic potential.
In addition, as the founder and president of the Reading Club at International Campus, Zhejiang University, she has planned and organized numerous distinctive reading activities, promoting the construction of campus culture and deeply integrating rational thinking with humanistic feelings.
Due to her outstanding performance, she has successfully received offers from world-renowned universities, including direct PhD programs at the University of Hong Kong and the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, as well as master's programs at Stanford University, Cornell University, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), and Carnegie Mellon University. She is set to pursue further studies at the University of Hong Kong.
Diligent in practice, making steady progress day by day
"Looking back, I feel that the four years at ZJUI have truly brought me a lot of growth. They not only enabled me to master professional knowledge and skills, but more importantly, enhanced my ability to think independently and learn proactively," Fu Tianyu said slowly, sharing her four-year learning journey at ZJUI with us.
Like most freshmen, Fu Tianyu, when first entering ZJUI, went through a relatively long adaptation period facing the Sino-Western integrated all-English curriculum system. "I was really at a loss when I started my freshman year," she recalled. "The pace of all-English teaching was fast, and the difficulty of the courses exceeded my expectations. I really couldn't keep up at first."
After attending a few classes, she quickly adjusted her learning methods: carefully previewing textbooks and collecting relevant materials before class, and repeatedly studying courseware and engaging in extended reading after class. "I gradually realized that relying solely on in-class lectures is far from enough; I must invest more time after class to truly master the knowledge," she said. Meanwhile, she actively participated in ZJUI's series of English courses to systematically improve her professional English proficiency, laying a solid foundation for adapting to the English-immersion academic setting.
Through her unremitting efforts and under the careful guidance of ZJUI faculty, she gradually adapted. To her delight, she gained a brand-new learning experience in this process. Professors from all over the world brought diverse teaching perspectives, and collaborating with classmates from different cultural backgrounds not only helped her acquire solid professional knowledge, but also subtly broadened her international horizon. What is particularly precious is that such an international environment has gradually cultivated her open and inclusive academic attitude and innovative way of thinking.
After laying a solid theoretical foundation, she became more proactive in exploring a broader realm of practice. Beyond the classroom, laboratories and research groups became her new stage. Here, she not only put theoretical knowledge into practice, but also became deeply fascinated by the entire process of identifying, analyzing, and solving problems. "It was through this process that I truly realized the significance of applying what I had learned," she reflected. "Classroom knowledge is just the starting point; the key lies in using that knowledge to solve practical problems."
Strive to research and reflect, and find new paths of own
Fu Tianyu has been actively exploring her research interests, seizing various opportunities to take the initiative in communicating with professors since her freshman year,. In the Zhejiang University College Students' Mechanical Innovation Design Competition, she made her first attempt to integrate biomechanics and bionic concepts into mechanical design, designing and manufacturing a bionic camel model, and ultimately won the second prize in the competition.
The inspiration for this project stemmed from Fu Tianyu's interest in biomechanics. "We specifically studied the camel's walking gait and referred to Theo Jansen's principles of bionic mechanical design," she explained. During the project, Fu Tianyu and her team members first conducted motion simulation analysis using software, then manually fabricated key components such as connecting rods, and finally completed the bionic camel model. After repeated debugging by the team, they successfully achieved the stable walking of the bionic camel. This project not only allowed her to accumulate valuable engineering practice experience, but also deepened her understanding of mechanical bionics.
To further explore her research interests in bionic design and biofabrication, Fu Tianyu applied for the summer research program led by Professor He Yong of Zhejiang University during her freshman year, conducting studies on the mechanical properties of Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS) porous structures. She systematically employed CAD modeling and mathematical analytical methods to investigate the mechanical properties of such structures. Through discussions with Professor He, Fu gained a deep understanding of the key performance indicators of porous structures in biomedical applications such as bone implants: first, they need to have sufficient elasticity; second, they must ensure structural strength to withstand long-term mechanical loads. During the research process, she also found that traditional testing methods have limitations in microscopic characterization, making it difficult to accurately measure micro-mechanical properties. This prompted her to pay attention to the unique advantages of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) in nano-mechanical testing.
This research experience not only deepened her understanding of bionic design, but also sparked her interest in delving into advanced nano-testing technologies. "This project made me realize the importance of nano-mechanical testing technologies, especially in fields like biomaterials that require balancing macro-performance and micro-structure," she said.
Driven by her strong interest in nanotechnology, Fu Tianyu joined the Nano-Manufacturing and Bio-Nanotechnology Laboratory led by Associate Professor Hu Huan at ZJUI during her sophomore year, initiating research on the topic of measuring the elastic modulus of polymer materials using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). At the initial stage of the research, she faced a major challenge: there was a significant deviation between the experimental data and theoretical expectations. Under the careful guidance of Assoc. Prof. Hu, she systematically optimized the experimental setup, improved the material selection criteria, and redesigned the testing protocol, ultimately obtaining reliable experimental data. After repeated experimental verification, she and the research team discovered the feasibility of using spherical probes to improve measurement accuracy.
▲ Schematic diagram of the manufacturing process of nano spherical tips: Steps (I-III) for preparing nano spherical AFM tips using focused ion beam (FIB), and presenting SEM images (b), adhesion test results (c), and statistical analysis histograms (d) of the tips.
The related research findings were published in the SCI journal Micromachines under the title Novel Atomic Force Microscope Nanospherical Probes for Improving the Measurement Accuracy of Polymer Elastic Modulus. Fu Tianyu stated, "From literature review and experimental design to data processing and paper writing, this research has not only enhanced my skills in nano-fabrication and testings, but also nurtured my perseverance and problem-solving abilities in tackling complex scientific challenges."
Assoc. Prof. Hu was also pleased with her performance: "She leaves a deep impression with both the spirit of overcoming difficulties demonstrated in academic research,but also with her modesty, courtesy and excellent teamwork =in daily study and life. Especially during the research phase of the project, she maintained active communication, carried out every stage s from experimental design to data analysis with high quality, and finally finalized and published the paper. I have high expectations for her future."
Speaking of the future, Fu Tianyu said, "I hope to continue exploring the application of atomic force microscopy in biomechanical testing, and try to optimize existing mechanical property characterization methods, thereby improving the stability and repeatability of nano-scale measurements. These studies are expected to provide references and improvement directions for testing technologies in the field of biomedical engineering."
In addition, Fu Tianyu further elaborated on her research philosophy: "I believe that the value of research lies not only in exploring the unknown, but more importantly, in creating technologies that can improve human health. I look forward to translating my research results into practical medical applications in the future."
Incorporate diverse insights, and practice to reach far
Beyond her academic pursuits, Fu Tianyu actively participates in various activities. Among them, she conducted competitive product analysis for the project "Intelligent Manufacturing High-Speed Nesting Industry Solution Based on Kunpeng Boostkit," which won the national gold medal in the 8th China International College Students' "Internet+" Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. This competition made Fu Tianyu contemplate the practical paths and potential dilemmas of transforming scientific and technological achievements for the first time. "I realized that to bring a technology from the laboratory to the market, technical feasibility alone is far from enough; we also need to consider practical issues such as market demand, business models, and cost control," she said.
In addition, Fu Tianyu also led her team to win the Honorable Mention (H Award) in the Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MCM). As the team leader, she played a leading role in everything from team formation and learning modeling techniques to formulating competition plans and analyzing key points of the contest questions. During the preparation period, she sorted out problem-solving ideas by drawing mind maps and built the paper framework to ensure rigorous logic. "This competition enabled me to acquire practical modeling skills such as multiple linear regression and cluster analysis," said Fu Tianyu. "More importantly, I learned to allocate tasks reasonably, collaborate efficiently within limited time, and flexibly deal with various unexpected situations."
▲Fu Tianyu (third from the right in the second row) and club members participated in the "Spring Outing by the Lake" event co-hosted by the Sinology Club and the Reading Club.
Beyond her studies in engineering, Fu Tianyu has consistently nurtured a strong passion for literature. She not only extensively reads classic works in the humanities but also actively promotes cultural communication. As the founder and president of the Reading Club at International Campus, she has meticulously planned a series of reading activities: from Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment to Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince, leading members to traverse between Eastern and Western literary classics. To deepen the reading experience, she specially organized World Book Day events, arranging for members to visit the former residences of renowned writers such as Xu Zhimo and Jin Yong. These activities have not only created a rich humanistic atmosphere on campus but also built an open platform for promoting cross-cultural exchanges and inspiring ideological collisions.
In addition, she is passionate about watercolor painting, using colors and brushstrokes to record her insights into life. She believes that such creation is not only an observation of daily life but also a way of self-expression. Her exploration of the inner world goes beyond static art—Fu Tianyu also projects this focus into the rhythm of her body. She has maintained the habit of swimming for a long time, which not only helps her relax physically and mentally but also becomes a focused moment for organizing her thoughts. These hobbies not only enrich her spare time but also provide an effective balance to her intense academic life.
