Selected Publications

2026

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  Plan, Verify and Fill: A Structured Parallel Decoding Approach for Diffusion Language Models

  M. Li, H. Jiang, S. Chen, H. Fu, Y. Cai, B. Huang, T. Ye, X. Chen, P. Van Hentenryck

  arXiv preprint (2026)

  Diffusion Language Models Decoding Algorithms Parallel Inference

  Introduces a structured plan–verify–fill decoding paradigm enabling parallel generation and improved controllability in diffusion language models.

  Paper
• 

  Understanding Transformer Encoder–Decoder Representations through Bernoulli Dropout

  X. Chen, J. Wang, P. Jian, Z. Yang, Z. Chen, K. Liao, Z. Guo

  arXiv preprint (2026)

  Transformers Representation Learning Dropout

  Analyzes internal representations of Transformer encoder–decoder models under Bernoulli dropout, providing insights into structure, robustness, and generalization.

  Paper
• 

  Agentic AI for Self-Driving Laboratories in Soft Matter: Taxonomy, Benchmarks, and Open Challenges

  X. Chen, A. Wang, S. Yin, H. Jiang, D. Zhang

  arXiv preprint (2026)

  Agentic AI Self-Driving Labs AI for Science

  Systematic taxonomy and benchmarking framework for agentic AI systems in self-driving laboratories, with open challenges for soft matter research.

  Paper
• 

  From Compute to Content: Building an AI-Wikipedia for Reliable and Efficient Artificial Intelligence

  D. Zhang, X. Chen

  Matter 2026 (In Press)

  AI Infrastructure Knowledge Systems

  Perspective on building reliable and efficient AI systems through computation–content co-design.

  Paper

2025

• 

  VL4SEM: A Few-Shot Vision–Language Framework for SEM Image Analysis in Materials Science

  X. Chen, D. Zhang, Z. Chen

  arXiv preprint (2025)

  Vision–Language AI for Science

  Few-shot VLM framework for SEM image understanding using LLMs, LoRA, and diffusion models.

  Paper Code
• 

  Photothermally Triggered Smart Bandages for Temperature-Controlled Fixation and Bone Regeneration

  Y. Wang, J. Li, S. Yang, N. Bao, H. Jiang, X. Chen, D. Zhang, L. Che, D. Song

  Advanced Functional Materials 2025

  Biomedical Engineering Smart Materials

  Photothermally activated smart bandages enabling temperature-controlled fixation and enhanced bone regeneration.

  Paper

2024

• 

  Learning the Eye of the Beholder: Statistical Modeling and Estimation for Personalized Color Perception

  X. Chen, A. Xu, J. Wang, A. Pananjady

  ICML Workshop & Allerton Conference 2024

  Statistical Learning Color Vision

  Statistical framework for estimating individualized color perception using PAQ with theoretical guarantees.

  Paper Code
• 

  A Universal Zwitterionic Crosslinking Strategy for Designing Conductive Soft Electronics with Enhanced Mechanical Properties

  J. Luo, K. Zhao, S. Wang, Y. Chen, L. Che, X. Chen, D. Zhang, J. Yang, H. Yin

  ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2024

  Soft Electronics Materials Science

  Universal zwitterionic crosslinking strategy for conductive soft electronics with improved mechanical robustness.

  Paper
• 

  Unlocking the Potential of CO₂ Capture: A Synergistic Hybridization Strategy for Polymeric Hydrogels

  Y. Gu, G. Wang, X. Chen, X. Xu, Y. Liu, J. Yang, D. Zhang

  Small 2024

  CO₂ Capture Hydrogels

  Synergistic hybridization strategy for polymeric hydrogels with enhanced CO₂ capture performance.

  Paper