Lixin Zhang

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Lixin Zhang is a researcher whose work lies at the intersection of computational geometry and robotics, with a particular focus on collision detection and distance computation for complex 3D objects. In his most-cited paper, "Computing rotation distance between contacting polyhedra" (2002, 7 citations), Zhang tackled a rarely addressed but critical problem: predicting and detecting collisions between objects that are already in contact. While most collision detection research focuses on separating objects, Zhang’s work provides algorithms for computing the minimal rotation needed to break contact, a vital capability for realistic simulation, CAD/CAM, and robotic manipulation. This contribution fills an important gap in the field, enabling more accurate physical modeling in applications ranging from computer animation to automated assembly. Though his citation count is modest, the specificity and practical relevance of his work have made it a valuable reference for researchers dealing with contact-rich scenarios. Lixin Zhang’s research demonstrates how addressing niche, real-world problems can advance the broader fields of robotics and geometric computing.