Minglonghai Zhang

Research Title: Graphene-based auxetic composite with isotropic Poisson’s ratio.

Supervisory Team: Dr. Hong Hu, Professor, (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University); Dr. Nazmul Karim, Associate Professor, (CFPR, ACE, UWE Bristol).

Minglonghai joined the Centre for Fine Print Research in March 2021 for six months, as a visiting PhD researcher. Minglonghai is working on the development of graphene-based auxetic composite materials. The auxetic materials have negative Poisson’s ratio. They will show an opposite deformation behaviour compared with conventional materials. Up to date, different types of manmade auxetic materials including foams, textiles and composites have been developed. The auxetic materials have been proven to have special properties such as enhanced energy absorption, better indentation resistance, synclastic curvature, shape fitting and pore opening. This research is expected to comprehensively understand the manufacturing method and the mechanical properties of the graphene-based auxetic composite.

Minglonghai’s PhD is funded by: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Research Grant Council of Hong Kong.