Prof Lin Li

Professor Li, obtained a BSc degree from Dalian University of Technology in 1982, and a PhD degree in Laser Engineering from Imperial College, London University in 1989. He then worked at Liverpool University as a Research Associate and Research Fellow on laser welding, in-process sensing and laser treatment of surfaces. In 1994 he was appointed as a Lecturer at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He set-up the first high power laser processing research laboratory and research group at UMIST. In 2000, he was promoted to a full Professor, Chair of Laser Engineering. He set up a multiple disciplinary Laser Processing Research Centre (LPRC) in 2000. His current management roles include Director of Laser Processing Research Centre, Head of Manufacturing and Management Research Group, Director of Research, Deputy Head of School and member of Senate of the University of Manchester.Professor Li is a member of Editorial Board for 9 journals: Optics and Laser Technology, Journal of Engineering Manufacture (IMechE Proc. B), Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science (IMechE Proc. C) International Journal of Engineering Business Management, Surface Science and Engineering, Journal of Nanomanufacturing, Lasers in Engineering, Recent Patent in Corrosion Science, and CIRP Journal of Manufacturing Science and Technology. He is a member Board of Directors of Laser Institute of America, Member of Executive Committee of Association of Industrial Laser Users (AILU), Chairman of Process and Product Innovations Group of AILU, a member of Advanced Design and Manufacturing National Technical Committee and Co-Director of Northwest Laser Engineering Consortium (since 2005). Professor Li is the author and co-author of over 450 publications in peer reviewed journals and proceedings of international conferences in laser processing science and technology and advanced manufacturing. He is the inventor/co-inventor of 45 patents relating to laser processing technology. Professor Li received Arthur Charles Main Award from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in 2001 for work in laser based nuclear decommissioning technology. He was elected as Fellow of Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), Fellow of Laser Institute of America (LIA), Fellow of International Academy of Production Engineering (CIRP) and Fellow of International Association of Nanomanufacturing.

Specialisms:

• Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH)

Research Center:

• Laser Processing Centre, Group Leader

• Drilling (thermal barrier coated Ni alloys, carbon composites etc)
• Cutting (composite materials, ceramics, striation-free cutting of metals, pipes and vessels)
• Welding (dissimilar materials, light alloys, composites and ceramics, graphene, thick sections)
• Surface engineering (hardening, coating, cladding, sealing cracks/porosity, texturing, cleaning)
• Additive manufacturing (rapid tooling, rapid manufacturing, repair, re-manufacturing)
• Micro-machining for medical and re-newable energy applications
• Nano-manufacturing (nano-surface structures, nano-particles)
• Hybrid manufacturing (laser-EDM machining, laser/mechanical machining, laser/arc welding)
• Modelling of laser interactions with materials and effects
• Nano-imaging

Research topics available

• Fibre laser drilling (MSc by research)
• Laser machining of composite materials (MSc by research)
• Laser surface texturing and processing for medical implant applications (PhD)
• High power ultra-short pulse laser machining of composite materials (PhD)
• Laser under-water welding (PhD)
• Laser processing of grapheme and determination of its high temperature properties (PhD)
• Striation-free laser cutting of thick section mild steel and stainless steels (PhD)
• Laser cladding of internal tubes (PhD)
• Laser coating of grapheme (PhD)

• Engineering Design (3rd Year UG, Mech. Eng) - module leader
• Advanced Production Technology (3rd year UG and MSc)
• 3D Product Modelling and Rapid Prototyping (4th Year and MSc)
• Micro/Nano Fabrication (4th year UG and MSc) - module leader

Teaching Unit(s):

• MACE30122 Advanced Production Processes
• MACE31042 Design 3 (Mechanical)
• MACE45222 Micro and Nano-Fabrication
• MACE61073 3D Product Modelling, Reverse Engineering & Rapid Manufacture
• MACE61075 Advanced Manufacturing Processes