On May 21, 2026, STAR* Lab hosted a special lecture by Dr. Muzhang Huang, Postdoctoral Researcher at STAR* Lab, for students in AE230: Mechanics of Aerospace Materials.

The lecture, titled “Structural Mechanics in MEMS: Applications in Optoelectronics and Aerospace,” introduced how fundamental mechanics concepts taught in class are applied to the design and reliability of Micro-Electromechanical Systems, or MEMS. Dr. Muzhang showed how bending, torsion, and stress analysis are not only textbook theories, but also essential tools for solving real engineering challenges at the micro-scale.

Through representative examples, the lecture connected mechanics principles to both static and dynamic MEMS devices. Static applications included Variable Optical Attenuators (VOAs) and Optical Cross-Connect Switches (OCSs) used in fiber-optic communication networks, while dynamic applications included LiDAR scanners and gyroscopes used in aerospace systems.

The lecture provided AE230 students with a valuable opportunity to see how the mechanics of materials learned in the classroom can be extended to advanced technologies in optoelectronics, sensing, and aerospace engineering.​