Dr Liuquan Yang

Profile

Dr Liuquan Yang obtained his first degree in Chemical Engineering and Technology (Electrochemistry) from Tianjin University. He then went to Cranfield University to read for MSc in Process and Systems Engineering funded by Honda Research Institute Europe. Subsequently he was awarded a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Leeds sponsored by Afton Chemical Limited. He was the recipient of Student Travel Award from UK Surface Analysis Forum in 2013 and he was the co-organiser of the 10th TriboUK student conference in 2013. Dr Yang started his career by receiving a Marie Curie fellowship working in Oerlikon Balzers France. His main research focus was R&D in Formula One and motorsport coatings. He became permanent at Wallwork Cambridge (TECVAC) where he managed projects funded by EU and Innovate UK in areas such as aerospace, additive manufacturing and biomedical sectors. His work has directly led to the automation of an Airbus coating production line, a prototype machine for surface treatment of additive manufactured components, and a first UK clinical trial of antimicrobial coatings in the knee revision surgery. Dr Yang joined Leeds to manage the operation of the EPSRC strategic equipment at the school and eventually became a lecturer and associate professor in surface engineering in the same department.

Dr Yang’s research interests at Leeds have centred around the material and interface design in various applications for a more sustainable living. Coatings and surface treatment are primiarily concerned.

Dr Yang sits in the Tribology Group at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Dr Yang is currently managing the industrial PVD/PECVD deposition facility at the school and he welcomes academic collaborations and industrial access through the Bragg Centre/Royce Institute at Leeds (https://www.royce.ac.uk/equipment-and-facilities/pvd-pecvd-coating-system/)

Dr Yang developed a new tribology capacility of a bespoke designed environment tribology suite since 2023. The facility has various potentials for space application and demanding environment applications. He welcomes academic collaborations and industrial access through the Bragg Centre/Royce Institute at Leeds.

Responsibilities

• Module Leader - MECH5375 Tribology and Surface Engineering / XJME1206 Design and Manufacture 1
• Facility manager - The Advanced Coatings System; The Environment Tribology Suite
• UG/PGT Study Success Tutor

Research interests

Dr Yang’s current research interests are green and sustainable coating manufacturing, high temperature coatings for electric vehicle and aerospace, high corrosion reistance and dielectric materials, biomedical coatings, nuclear materials, material and interface design for battery and fuel cells. He is accepting PhD candidates from various funding resources. His current research projects have been supported by H2020 EU EJD/ITN, EPSRC CDT (GREEN and SATURN) and DTP studentships, UKRI/EPSRC IAA, Royal Society, UKRI/EPSRC/Henry Royce Institute.

Qualifications

• BEng (Tianjin)
• MSc (Cranfield)
• PhD (Leeds)

Professional memberships

• Chartered Engineer, Institution of Mechanical Engineers (CEng MIMechE)

Student education

Module Leader – Surface Engineering and Coatings MECH5375M;

Module Leader – contribution at SWJTU-Leeds Joint School – XJME1206 Design and Manufacture 1.

Undergraduate and Postgraduate professional projects supervision.

Research degress (MRes, PhD) supervision.

Dr Yang is currently accepting PhD applications. Please get in touch if you have the ambition to pursue an research degree and academic career.

Research groups and institutes

• Institute of Functional Surfaces
• Tribology
• Surface engineering

Current postgraduate researchers

• Rob Brittain
• Emily McNulty
• Mobeen Haneef
• Atreya Danturthi