Members of Queen Mary University of London’s School of Engineering and Materials Science took centre stage at the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining’s (IOM3) 2024 Awards Day, held at its London office on 5 December. The event celebrated outstanding achievements across the materials science sector, with the School’s team earning significant accolades for their pioneering work in composite materials.

A highlight of the ceremony was the prestigious IOM3 Composite Award, presented for the research publication titled ‘Energy efficient out-of-oven manufacturing of natural fibre composites with integrated sensing capabilities and improved water barrier properties’. The study, led by final-year PhD candidate Yushen Wang and supported by Dr Han Zhang, alongside other School members, showcases a breakthrough in sustainable and multifunctional composite technologies.

The award-winning research introduces an innovative approach to natural fibre composites by focusing on energy-efficient manufacturing processes while integrating multifunctional features such as sensing capabilities. Funded by the EPSRC ESTEEM project, the study underlines the potential for enhanced material sustainability and broader industrial applications.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, corresponding author Dr Han Zhang remarked:

“This is a great reflection of a team effort, with my fantastic colleagues, collaborators and, most importantly, my PhD student who led this work. I am truly honoured and inspired to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in materials science.”

Dr Zhang’s sentiment was echoed by the collaborative spirit of the team, which included significant contributions from Dr Dimitrios Papageorgiou of Queen Mary, as well as former colleagues Dr Emiliano Bilotti, now at Imperial College London, and Dr Yi Liu, currently at Loughborough University. Their collective success not only highlights individual excellence but also cements the School of Engineering and Materials Science’s leadership in driving sustainable innovation in composite materials.