1. Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
  2. School of Mechanical Engineering
  3. People
  4. Profile
Dr Bing Zhang

Dr Bing Zhang

  • Position: Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering
  • Areas of expertise: Fibre Reinforced Composites; Solid Mechanics; Mechatronics; Finite Element Analysis; Machine Learning; Sensors; Structural Health Monitoring.
  • Email: B.Zhang2@leeds.ac.uk
  • Location: Room 3.45, School of Mechanical Engineering
  • Website: LinkedIn | Googlescholar | Researchgate | ORCID

Profile

Dr. Zhang's academic journey has focussed on Fibre Reinforced Composites, driven by Numerical Modelling and Mechatronics. Supported by a competitive Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Award and Rolls-Royce plc, Dr. Zhang obtained his PhD degree from the University of Bristol in 2016. He conducted his PhD research on Through-Thickness Reinforced Composites at the world-leading Bristol Composites Institute (BCI) and the unique Rolls-Royce Composites University Technology Centre (UTC). He invented and experimentally validated two concepts for achieving multifunctional composites through-thickness reinforcement. Dr. Zhang was also an R&D engineer, working on the design of a magnetostrictive level sensor for 15 months before coming to the UK to pursue his PhD degree.

After his PhD project, Dr. Zhang worked as a post-doctoral Research Associate at BCI and was a Core team member of the Rolls-Royce Composites UTC. He was promoted to a Senior Research Associate in 2019. Dr. Zhang moved to a visiting position at the University of Bristol in 2023 and joined the University of Leeds as a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering in the same year.

Dr Zhang has worked on a number of projects funded by different bodies, including EPSRC, Innovate UK, GW4 Alliance, the University of Bristol, and industrial companies. The total value of the projects he has worked on exceeds 4 million pounds. In addition to a good track record of high-quality publications, Dr. Zhang's research has been utilised by both industrial and academic users for their projects, such as Rolls-Royce, the National Composites Centre, and Vestas.

Dr. Zhang has also demonstrated a strong commitment to mentoring and academic guidance by successfully supervising a diverse group of students, including 2 PhD students, 6 MSc students, and 7 undergraduates. His guidance and mentorship have contributed to their academic and research development, ensuring their success in various research endeavours.

Research interests

Dr Zhang is dedicated to research on lightweight Fibre Reinforced Composites, driven by Digital tools and Mechatronics, covering: 

  • Design and Analysis;
  • Through-Thickness Reinforcement (Z-pinning and Tufting);
  • Manufacturing;
  • Multifunctionality;
  • Health Monitoring.
<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working on will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>

Qualifications

  • PhD in Aerospace Engineering
  • MSc in Mechatronics
  • BSc in Mechanical Engineering and Automation

Professional memberships

  • Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Student education

Dr Zhang is involved in the following modules in the 2023/2024 academic year:

  • MECH5880M Team Design Project

  • MECH3890 Individual Engineering Project

  • MECH5605M Biomechatronics and Medical Robotics

  • MECH2200 Sensors, Actuators and Mechanisms

<h4>Postgraduate research opportunities</h4> <p>We welcome enquiries from motivated and qualified applicants from all around the world who are interested in PhD study. Our <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk">research opportunities</a> allow you to search for projects and scholarships.</p>