After obtaining his Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, he started his PhD at LSMS on 1st June 2026. He is enrolled in the EDME Doctoral Program in Mechanics.A few questions to get to know Xinyuan better:What is your field of research? I will be focusing on controlling friction in machines, from establishing robust benchmark for its simulations to using, for instance, piezoelectric actuators to reduce friction or harvest energy from friction-induced vibrations.Why did you choose this field and what are you particularly enthusiastic about it? I choose this field because of two main reasons : from a theoretical point of view, the problem of contact mechanics has always been challenging, especially in terms of robustness and spatial-temporal resolution, etc ; from a practical point of view, controlling friction is a serious issue in industry and can lead to serious accidents if not treated properly. I am motivated to conduct this research, because I enjoy tackling problems that are yet to be resolved combining computational tools and my knowledge in mechanics. Plus, this research is extra beneficial to the environment, as it saves energy and prevents damage, so we shall be one step further towards a cleaner world.Outside the lab, what do you enjoy doing most? I am a very enthusiastic tennis player and I enjoy every moment I spend on the tennis court. Apart from that, I also am quite fond of video games and movies. Since I am in Switzerland, I might also spend some time sightseeing around.