Dr Kian Kun Yap is an Academic Visitor at the Tribology Group of Imperial College London and a Research Associate at the Green Tribology Lab of King's College London since 2024. His research focuses on enhancing the sensory experience of plant-based foods to accelerate consumer adoption. He also develops advanced in-situ techniques for studying dendrite growth and degradation in solid-state batteries.

Yap joined the Tribology Group at Imperial College London in 2020 as a PhD student. His doctoral research explored the self-lubrication, ultralow wear, and transfer film mechanisms of high-performance polymer composites, such as PTFE and polyimides, using advanced in-situ tribometry techniques. These included spatiotemporal mapping, high-bandwidth microscopy, digital holographic microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.

Yap's broader interests span mechanical transmission technology and biotribology. Notably, he co-invented and patented a gearless speed reducer that features zero backlash and compactness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he contributed to formulating lubricants to alleviate shear-induced skin injuries among healthcare workers due to prolonged use of PPE. He is currently working on reducing tissue damage in brain surgery and enhancing the surface finish and wear performance of 3D-printed knee implants.

Yap's work has resulted in numerous journal publications, patents, invited articles, invited talks, research grants, and consultancy projects. He collaborates extensively with industry and academia across the USA, Europe, and Asia. He has received multiple awards, including the IMechE Tribology Bronze Medal, IOP Innovation in Tribology Award, STLE Elmer E. Klaus Fellowship, Imperial College’s Departmental Scholarship for Master’s and PhD Studies, the Institution of Engineers Malaysia’s Best Engineering Thesis Award, and several international poster awards.

Yap completed his MSc in Advanced Mechanical Engineering (with Distinction) at Imperial College London in 2019. He worked as a Research Officer in the Tribology & Precision Machining Laboratory at the University of Technology Malaysia in 2018. He obtained his BEng in Mechanical Precision Engineering (First Class Honours) from the same institution in 2017. During his undergraduate studies, he interned as an R&D engineer at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki, in 2016.