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Cheryl Xu, Ph.D.NC State University
Engineering intelligent materials and manufacturing systems for extreme environments.
The AI-assisted Multifunctional Materials Manufacturing (AI-M3) Research Group integrates materials science, advanced manufacturing, sensing, and artificial intelligence to create engineering systems that perform where conventional technologies cannot.
Our premise
Materials. Manufacturing. Intelligence.
We design materials with useful electrical, dielectric, mechanical, thermal, and electromagnetic behavior—then develop practical ways to manufacture, integrate, sense, and control them.
Our work connects fundamental physics and chemistry with robust processes, devices, and data-driven control. Applications span aerospace, energy, defense, nuclear systems, space exploration, and other high-consequence environments.
How we approach discoveryResearch impact
A program built for translation
Research portfolio
Three connected research pillars
We move between composition, process, sensing, and control to address performance as a system—not as isolated disciplines.
Materials
Multifunctional materials for extreme environments
Tailoring ceramic and composite structures to unite thermal stability, mechanical performance, and controllable electromagnetic behavior.
- Polymer-derived ceramics
- Ultra-high-temperature ceramics
- BNNT and hybrid composites
- EM absorbing and transparent materials
Manufacturing
Advanced and additive manufacturing processes
Transforming novel material systems into useful architectures, coatings, components, and devices through robust, scalable processes.
- Ceramic additive manufacturing
- Electron-beam powder bed fusion
- Selective laser reaction pyrolysis
- Process–structure–property relationships
Intelligence
Sensing, AI, and closed-loop control
Building data-rich manufacturing and monitoring systems that can perceive, predict, optimize, and adapt in real time.
- High-temperature wireless sensors
- AI/ML process modeling
- Health monitoring and diagnostics
- Trustworthy process control
Featured story · July 2026
Making the most of multifunctional materials
NC State’s Results magazine examines how the group is advancing ceramic materials, additive manufacturing, and wireless sensing for demanding defense, energy, and civilian applications.
Read the NC State feature
Principal investigator
Cheryl Xu, Ph.D.
Professor · National Academy of Inventors Fellow · ASME Fellow · SME Fellow · Founding Editor-in-Chief
Dr. Xu is an internationally recognized researcher, inventor, educator, and science-policy leader with more than two decades of experience in advanced materials and manufacturing. Her work combines discovery with translation—developing technologies, mentoring engineers, and helping shape the future of AI-enabled manufacturing.
Research ecosystem
Collaboration across mission-driven sectors
Work with us
Advance the next generation of materials and manufacturing.
We welcome motivated students, research collaborators, government partners, and industry teams working on consequential engineering challenges.