Research

My research lies in the fields of fluid mechanics and acoustics. I combine experimental, computational, and theoretical approaches to conducting inter-disciplinary research at the interface of fluid dynamics and acoustics engineering with applications in the areas of biomedicine, energy, environment, and oceans. My previous research included:
* sound beams for microparticle manipulations and biomedical applications
* acoustic scattering from cavities in elastic solids
* sound propagation in stratified oceans
* tidal-to-wave energy conversion in oceans
* nonlinear dynamics of water surface waves
* surface wave interaction with bottom topography
* capillary wave dynamics in open channels for flow control

A selection of research projects that I have finished:

Tidal Energy Conversion

Breaking Surface Gravity Waves

Dynamics in a Capillary Channel

Acoustic Tractor Beam

Acoustic Radiation Torque

Acoustic Manipulation

Publications

(See my Google scholar page for a complete list of publications.)

• J. Zhao, L. K. Zhang, H. L. Swinney, Topographic height dependence of internal wave generation by tidal flow over random topography, Geophysical Research Letters 42 (19), 8081-8087.
• Y. Li, X. Jiang, B. Liang, J.-C. Cheng, and L. K. Zhang, Metascreen-Based Acoustic Passive Phased Array, Physical Review Applied, 4, 024003 (2015). Marked as “Editors’ Suggestion.” http://chaos.utexas.edu/publications/metascreen
• L. K. Zhang, and H. L. Swinney, Virtual seafloor reduces internal wave generation by tidal flow, Physical Review Letters, 112, 104502 (2014). Marked as “Editors’ Suggestion” and featured for a Synopsis in Physics [link].
• L. K. Zhang, and P. L. Marston, Acoustic radiation torque on small objects in viscous fluids and connection with viscous dissipation, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 136 (6), 2917-2921(2014).
• L. K. Zhang, and P. L. Marston, Optical theorem for acoustic non-diffracting beams and application to radiation force and torque, Biomedical Optics Express 4, 1610 – 1617 (2013); (Erratum) 4, 2988 (2013). Published in Feature Issue on Optical Trapping and Applications [link]
• L. K. Zhang, and D. B. Thiessen, Capillary wave scattering from an infinitesimal barrier and dissipation at dynamic contact lines, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 719, 295 – 313 (2013).
• L. K. Zhang, and P. L. Marston, Axial radiation force exerted by general non-diffracting beams, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 134, EL329-EL335 (2012).
• L. K. Zhang, and P. L. Marston, Angular momentum  flux of nonparaxial acoustic vortex beams and torques on axisymmetric objects, Physical Review E 84, 065601(Rapid Communication) (2011). Appears in Physics Today [link]
• L. K. Zhang, and P. L. Marston, Geometrical interpretation of negative radiation forces of acoustical Bessel beams on spheres, Physical Review E 84, 035601(Rapid Communication) (2011). Appears in AAAS Science Now [link], Physics Today [link]
• L. K. Zhang, and P. L. Marston, Acoustic radiation torque and the conservation of angular momentum, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 129, 1679 (2011). Top 20 Most Read Articles of JASA, April 2011
• L. K. Zhang, X. L. Wang, and Z. Y. Tao, Spatiotemporal bifurcation of a parametrically excited solitary wave, Physical Review E 75, 036602 (2007).