Lei’s research includes femtosecond laser micro/nano machining and surface texturing of various materials for a variety of applications including tribology, photonic devices, microfluidic devices, MEMS, nanotechnology, etc., machining of difficult-to-machine materials including structural ceramics, titanium alloys, superalloys, glass, and composites, laser assisted materials processing with an emphasis on laser assisted machining of ceramics, mechanics and thermal modeling of manufacturing processes using FEA and DEM, and development of novel cutting tools.
Currently, his work in focused on laser micro/nano machining based on spatial, temporal and spectral control of laser-matter interaction.