DrNan Li
Reader in Lightweight Design and Manufacturing
Dyson School of Design Engineering - Faculty of Engineering
Orcid identifier0000-0002-9298-3731 (opens in a new tab)
- Reader in Lightweight Design and ManufacturingDyson School of Design Engineering - Faculty of Engineering
- 020 7594 8853 (Work)
- 1M03, Royal College of Science, South Kensington Campus, United Kingdom
BIO
Dr Nan Li’s research addresses one of the major challenges facing the transport industry world-wide: developing technological breakthroughs in the manufacturing and design of high-performance lightweight vehicles for a more environmentally-friendly footprint. Her current main research focuses are:
- Developing innovative manufacturing processes for lightweight structures. She has conducted extensive research work on developing novel low-cost hot forming processes for high-strength, lightweight and complex-shaped panel components for a family of advanced lightweight materials, e.g. ultra-high strength steels, Al alloys, Ti alloys, and Polymer Matrix Composites.
- Lightweight structural design and optimisation. Key enablers proposed by Dr Nan Li: New design methods relating to hierarchical optimisation and manufacturing constraints; advanced Design-Manufacturing-Integrated modelling; and Machine-Learning empowered Design for Manufacturing.
Dr Nan Li’s research projects address real industrial needs, and tackle scientific and technological challenges in materials processing, manufacturing processes, and structural designs, through fundamental studies based on experimental, analytical, and numerical methodologies.
Dr Nan Li is highly motivated to explore technological innovations, particularly in relation to the design of novel manufacturing processes, mechanical testing methods and apparatus, and lightweight vehicle structures. Her proposed research on producing vehicle lightweight structures is favoured by a wide range of industrial collaborators. Nan was awarded the ‘Rowbotham Medal’ 2017 by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the development of the innovative use of materials for automotive applications. She was also recognized as one of the ‘Top 50 Women in Engineering under 35’ in 2017.
Opportunities
Interested PhD applicants should send an up-to-date CV to Dr Nan Li, with GPA included. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry. Qualified candidates will be interviewed in due course.
- Developing innovative manufacturing processes for lightweight structures. She has conducted extensive research work on developing novel low-cost hot forming processes for high-strength, lightweight and complex-shaped panel components for a family of advanced lightweight materials, e.g. ultra-high strength steels, Al alloys, Ti alloys, and Polymer Matrix Composites.
- Lightweight structural design and optimisation. Key enablers proposed by Dr Nan Li: New design methods relating to hierarchical optimisation and manufacturing constraints; advanced Design-Manufacturing-Integrated modelling; and Machine-Learning empowered Design for Manufacturing.
Dr Nan Li’s research projects address real industrial needs, and tackle scientific and technological challenges in materials processing, manufacturing processes, and structural designs, through fundamental studies based on experimental, analytical, and numerical methodologies.
Dr Nan Li is highly motivated to explore technological innovations, particularly in relation to the design of novel manufacturing processes, mechanical testing methods and apparatus, and lightweight vehicle structures. Her proposed research on producing vehicle lightweight structures is favoured by a wide range of industrial collaborators. Nan was awarded the ‘Rowbotham Medal’ 2017 by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the development of the innovative use of materials for automotive applications. She was also recognized as one of the ‘Top 50 Women in Engineering under 35’ in 2017.
Opportunities
Interested PhD applicants should send an up-to-date CV to Dr Nan Li, with GPA included. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry. Qualified candidates will be interviewed in due course.
FACULTY
- Faculty of Engineering
POSITION NAME
- Reader in Lightweight Design and Manufacturing