His research interest is in understanding, predicting and eventually controlling the collective behavior of sand grains (i.e., granular materials) by means of lab experiments and computer simulations, in order to shed light on widespread applications such as space exploration, powder-based additive manufacturing (3D printing), landslide and earthquake triggering, dune migration and transport. He is also interested in the acoustical design of opera theatres.
Huang has a B.Sc. in electronic engineering and a Ph.D. in physical acoustics from Nanjing University. He also holds a Habilitation in physics, a scientific and pedagogic qualification for professors in Germany.
Before joining Duke Kunshan, he worked as a privatdozent at the University of Bayreuth, Germany, where he taught physics courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as built a research group. He completed postdoctoral training at the Max-Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-organization.