Professor Yanqiu Zhu

Professor Yanqiu Zhu joined the University of Exeter in August 2011 as Chair of Functional Materials, coming from the University of Nottingham. His main area of expertise is experimental synthesis, characterization of advanced nanomaterials with interesting functionalities, covering fundamental nanomaterials science and applied nanocomposites development. His research covers a broad spectrum across a wide range of nanomaterials and nanocomposites, with specific interest in their functionalities.

"In 1996, when I first came to the UK, the Nobel Prize for Chemistry was awarded to Robert F. Curl Jr., Sir Harold W. Kroto and Richard E. Smalley for their discovery of fullerenes, which was some of the first nanomaterials research. I found this inspiring, and it has driven the direction of my work ever since. Because I have a background in engineering, I am always thinking of how we can use new materials, both through research and application. I want to find ways to make nanomaterials into engineering materials.

"I have two young children and I want them to have the same love for science and engineering as I do. My older son is in year 7 in secondary school; I do a lot of DIY work like repairing cars, and he shows a lot of interest in this. I’m always keen to get them involved and interested. It’s the same with my students: in China you hear that young people in the UK aren’t interested in science, only business and finance, and so I try and encourage team spirit and creativity, try to make everyone want to create something novel and useful. If you can make something real, something useful, not only will you benefit but your whole generation and the generation afterwards. That’s achievement and accomplishment.

"I’ve been in Exeter less than a year, and though the University isn’t the biggest the supporting team is very strong and efficient; it is easier to be creative and to succeed with a relatively small community.  The supporting team across the whole campus, in the College and in Research & Knowledge Transfer, is great, with patent application and grant application advice. Someone phoned me asking if I wanted help in applying for EU grants; I’ve never had that before! The feeling here is very good.

"We are doing fundamental research in nanomaterials generation and application, and in this area we believe we’ve reached international standard. We’ve made a number of first synthesis to produce new materials like tungsten oxide, and through cooperation with others we have made the toughest materials in terms of sustaining dynamic shock pressure. We hope this can lead to the development of armoring materials for helicopters and tanks.

"We are trying to make something new, things that don’t exist yet, or else items with much better properties than exist now. If our work on armouring materials is successful it could save a lot of lives. If we can stop shockwaves from rockets hitting tanks, and that can save lives, we can apply the same principals to regular motor cars. In 20 years I’ll retire. If our armour materials save lives, maybe people will only know the name of the manufacturer, but we’ll be the people working behind the scenes and I’ll be proud of that."