Prof. Jian Xiong

Current professional background:

I currently hold the title of a full Professor. I am also a Principal Research Scientist at the group of Mechanics of Lightweight Composite Materials and Structures, Center for Composite Materials and Structures, at the Harbin Institute of Technology, China.

Field of research:
  • Mechanics of Lightweight Composite Materials and Structure (Composite Materials, Cellular Materials, Porous Materials, Biomaterials, Sandwich Panels, Lightweight Structures, Multifunctional Structures)
Purpose of your last research visit:

The purpose of my research visits is to set up a long-term research collaboration between the University of Siegen, Germany, and the Harbin Institute of Technology, China. The main research objective is to present the results of combining experimental, numerical and analytical studies to investigate the micro-structures and mechanical properties of the cellular structures in the mammal skull. The results of our research are expected to be useful for understanding the mechanical properties and damage mechanisms of cellular structures in the mammal skull and these fascinating features serve as suggestions to researchers to design or fabricate new bio-inspired materials to improve our lives.

Relation to the University of Siegen and/or to the local host:

I was previously a Humboldt Research Fellow at the Institut für Werkstofftechnik, University of Siegen from March, 2015 to August, 2016. The time before that was from September to December, 2013, when I was a visiting DAAD scholar. Prof. H-J. Christ was my host during both of these visits. I have joint research and publications with Prof. H-J. Christ and Dr. Arne Ohrndorf which present a systematic investigation on the failure mechanism and energy absorption of skull cellular bones under low- and medium-velocity impact loadings.

Future projects / Activities:

Our future plans naturally follow from our research efforts in the past and present in the field of lightweight cellular bones materials. We are planning to prepare a research proposal for the NSFC-DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and National Natural Science Foundation of China) funding programme and write joint publications in the following years. During my latest visit to Siegen, I gave several presentations about my recent research work to other professors at the University. This may lead to some future cooperation with different departments on topics such as composite materials or automobile structures.

Impressions of Siegen:

The Radler beer is delicious, and so is the food, including the food from the University canteen on top of the mountain. The scenery in Siegen is very beautiful. I have been to Siegen four times and the University is an important part of my research life now. My hosts Prof.H-J. Christ, and Dr. Arne Ohrndorf have always been very nice to me and have helped me a lot in my research. I miss Siegen very much and hope to return again soon.