Prof. Xianping Liu, University of Warwick, UK

Title

Measurement and Characterisation of Surface Properties at Micro-Nano Scales

Abstract

In recent years, Prof Liu has been leading research on multi-function characterisation of surface properties. It is especially concerned with surface properties at extremely small scales as they critically influence the design of future generation of components and devices used in engineering, bioengineering and nanotechnology. The multi-function tribological probe microscopy (TPM) is capable of mapping surface topography, friction, Young’s modulus and nano-hardness at micro and nanometre scales, in a single scan set-up. These four functions can be linked in space and time, which allows the cross correlation to be carried out, in order to investigate the influence of one function to another. This has led to a wider application covering surface related property measurement and characterisation, affective engineering, human tribology, novel instrument design and development for touch-feel perception, and mechanics and materials for functional surfaces.

Biography

Xianping Liu is Professor and Discipline Stream Head for Mechanical and Process Engineering, the School of Engineering of the University of Warwick. 

She received her BSc and MSc degrees from Harbin Institute of Technology (Harbin, P. R China) in 1982 and 1984 respectively. She was with the Warwick Centre for Nanotechnology and Microengineering from 1990 to 1995 as a research fellow and gained her PhD degree in 1995. She moved to a high-prestige University Research Fellowship at Coventry University, then re-joined the Warwick University as lecturer in 2000 and promoted to Senior Lecturer, Reader and now Professor. Her research interests are in high precision mechanism; surface measurement and characterisation; micro and nanotribology; novel instrument development; and functional surfaces. She has published over 100 papers in refereed journals and conferences and one international patent. She has been leading research in areas of surface related property measurement and characterisation, human tribology, and mechanics and materials for functional surfaces.   

She has served as panel member for REA-FP7-NMP, EPSRC, and Overseas Panel member of NSFC. She is Fellow of both Institute of Nanotechnology and Royal Microscopical Society.