WMG academic awarded prestigious Beilby Medal

A University of Warwick academic has been recognised with one of the UK’s top honours in applied science.

Dr Han Zhang, who focuses on multifunctional polymers and composites as an Associate Professor at the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), was awarded the prize for his innovative work in advanced materials and sustainable engineering.

The Beilby Medal was founded in 1930 and celebrates early career researchers whose work has made a significant real-world impact alongside the advancement of their respective fields.

Dr Zhang’s research focused on developing highly-functional, sustainable, and energy-efficient materials. More specifically, Dr Zhang has worked on developing composites that are repairable, reusable, and recyclable, thus contributing to the development of the circular economy model.

His research involved embedding electrical sensing technology into materials to facilitate process and structural health monitoring, which could become useful for the aerospace and automotive engineering industry.

Being at WMG provides an exceptional environment to accelerate the journey from fundamental discoveries to real-world impact through close collaboration with industry

Dr Zhang

Commenting on his achievements, Dr Zhang stated that it is essential to develop performance driven sustainable materials as engineering must respond to environmental challenges.

“I am proud to show that we do not have to choose between performance and sustainability in polymer and composite engineering”, Dr Zhang said.

Colleagues at WMG praised Dr Zhang’s achievement: Professor Kerry Kirwan, Dean of WMG, said: “everyone at WMG is incredibly proud of all that Han has achieved. He’s a true frontrunner in his field and an inspiring example of how exceptional talent and pioneering research can drive real progress.”

In a similar manner, Dr Zhang has thanked his collaborators, saying: “I am deeply grateful to my research group, whose dedication and hard work in the lab make these achievements possible.

“Being at WMG provides an exceptional environment to accelerate the journey from fundamental discoveries to real-world impact through close collaboration with industry.”

In the future, Dr Zhang looks to continue developing “intelligent and sustainable materials”, while hoping to inspire the younger generations to view material sciences as a powerful tool for sustainable innovation.

He will be presented with his medal, and give a lecture about his research, at the Innovation in Polymeric Coatings Conference at the SCI HQ in London on 17 June.