My research leverages non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, classical density functional theory, and advanced molecular/topological simulations to uncover universal physics across length scales—ranging from foundational polyelectrolyte phase behavior [[1]MTS 2021] and polymer/block copolymer knotting mechanics [[8]CJPS 2024, [7]Macromolecules 2024], to complex DNA mechanics [[12]Nat. Commun. 2025] and macroscopic granular dynamics [[15]PNAS 2026].

# equal contribution; * corresponding author

In progress

[19] A tale of knotting, under preparation.

[18] handle the theoretical part of one work under review

[17] DNA sharp bending (theory and simulation) to be submitted, reported in ISMC2025 Crete.

[16] DNA sharp bending Under review

2026

[15] Qiyuan Qiu#, Yujie Zheng#, Jiansong Yang#, Peng Hua, Yilong Han, and Liang Dai* Entropic tightening of knots in granular chains under vibration, accepted, PNAS 2026

[14] Tian, F.#, Wei, W.#, Zhang, C.# Qiyuan Qiu., Dai, L.*, Zhang, X*. A universal twist-slide coupling mechanism governs deformations of DNA, RNA, and RNA-DNA hybrid duplexes. Nat Commun (2026).

2025

[13] Yang, J. S., Zhu, Y. J.,Qiyuan Qiu, Y., Xu, W. X., & Dai, L. (2025). Tube Model for Complex Polymer Knots. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 1-12. DOI

[12] Zuo, H.-W.#; Tian, F.-J.#; Zhang, C.#; Qiyuan Qiu#; Zheng, Y.; He, H.; Zhang, J.-H.; Zhang, X.-H.*; Dai, L*. A Universal Entropic Pulling Force Caused by Binding. Nature Communications 2025, 16, 9604 (2025). DOI

[11] Xiao-Cong Zhao#, Bin Wu#, Ya-Jun Yang#, Ying Li#, QiYuan Qiu#, Liu Wang, Ya-Peng Xu, Ying Li, Han Gong, Jing-Yao Shi, Hang Fu, Lun Song, Xue-Feng Chen, Shi-Shen Du, Shao-Ran Zhang, Qi Zong, Xu-Guang Xi, Liang Dai, Yan Zhang*, Wen-Qiang Wu*, and Xing-Hua Zhang*, Dam methylation of DNA promotes both RecA assembly and homologous pairing, PNAS 122.34 (2025): e2508652122. DOI

[10] Chen Zhang #, Fu-Jia Tian #, Hong-Wei Zuo #, QiYuan Qiu, Jia-Hao Zhang, Wei Wei, Zhi-Jie Tan, Yan Zhang, Wen-Qiang Wu, Liang Dai*, Xing-Hua Zhang* (2025). Counterintuitive DNA destabilization by monovalent salt at high concentrations due to overcharging. Nature Communications, 16(1), 113. DOI

2024

[9] Zuo, H.*, Song, F., Zhu, H., Qiyuan Qiu, Zhu, H., & Wang, Z.* (2024). Multicoating construction of BiVO4@ SiO2 yellow pigment for enhanced thermal stability and acid resistance. Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, 1-11. DOI

[8] Qiyuan QIU, Yongjian Zhu, Zhongtao Wu, Liang Dai*. A simple and efficient algorithm to identify the chirality of polymer knots based on the Alexander polynomial Chinese Journal of Polymer Science,2024, 1-8. DOI

[7] Lu, Luwei#, Qiyuan Qiu# and Lu, Yuyuan and An, Lijia and Dai, Liang*. Knotting in Flexible-Semiflexible Block Copolymers. Macromolecules 2024, 57, 11, 5330–5339 DOI

2023

2022

[6] Yanwei Wang*, Qiyuan Qiu*, Arailym Yedilbayeva, Diana Kairula, Liang Dai*. Phase Behavior of Ion-Containing Polymers in Polar Solvents: Predictions from a Liquid-State Theory with Local Short-Range Interactions. Polymers 14 (20), 4421 DOI

[5] Haoqi Zhu, Fujia Tian, Liang Sun, Yongjian Zhu, Qiyuan Qiu, Liang Dai*. Computational Design of Extraordinarily Stable Peptide Structures through Side-Chain-Locked Knots. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 13 (33), 7741-7748 DOI

[4] Genlong Qiu, Qiyuan Qiu, Leying Qing, Jingmin Zhou, Xiaofei Xu*, Shuangliang Zhao*. Effects of Polyelectrolyte Surface Coating on the Energy Storage Performance in Supercapacitors. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2022, 126, 19, 8218–8226 DOI

[3] Yongjian Zhu, Haoqi Zhu, Fujia Tian, Qiyuan Qiu, Liang Dai*. Quantifying the effects of slit confinement on polymer knots using the tube model. Physical Review E 105 (2), 024501 DOI

2021

[2] Qiu, Qiyuan, Xiaofei Xu*, and Yanwei Wang*. Phase Behavior of Partially Charged Polyelectrolyte Solutions with Salt: A Theoretical Study. Macromolecular Theory and Simulations 30.3 (2021): 2000098. DOI

2020

[1] Xiaofei Xu, Qiyuan Qiu, Changjie Lu, Shuangliang Zhao*. Responsive Properties of Grafted Polyanion Chains: Effects of Dispersion Interaction and Salt. Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data 65 (12), 5708-5717 DOI