The research group of MEchanis and Robustly Efficient Computation of Evolving Solids (MERECES) is affiliated with University of Michigan - Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute. It was established in 2014 by Associate Professor Yongxing Shen, a recipient of the Thousand Talents Program for Distinguished Young Scholars and it. In recent years, The MERECES Laboratory focuses on advancing the understanding of solid evolution (crack propagation, phase transformation, sintering, etc.) mechanisms and developing efficient and reliable numerical methods for relevant applications. Recently the Lab has made contributions in models and applications such as the phase field approach to fracture, numerical simulation of hydraulic fracturing, thin shell fracture, and additive manufacturing, and numerical methods such as the successive node snapping scheme, universal meshes, mapped finite element method, and discontinuous Galerkin methods, and has obtained funding from the National Natural Science Foundation. The group consists of 8 doctoral students and several undergraduates participating in scientific research activities. There are already 5 doctoral and 8 master's degree graduates.

In recent years, the group has attended important international academic conferences, enrolled in short courses, etc. It also keeps in touch with well-known research groups at home and abroad and launched in-depth cooperation.

The Joint Institute is established by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and University of Michigan. Based on the training system of UM, JI pays attention to growing students’ comprehensive quality. The Joint Institute also provides excellent opportunities for students to study abroad through cooperation with foreign first-class universities.