Dr Jin Zhang

A/Professor Zhang leads her group in the field of materials, mechanical and manufacturing engineering with polymer matrix composites (polymer nanocomposites, fibre-reinforced composites and biocomposites), fibres and textiles, and biodegradable polymers. She has published >125 journal articles which have been well cited (>7200 citations, H-index 46, Google Scholar; FWCI 4.54, Clarivate). She’s been listed among Stanford/Elsevier’s Top 2% Scientist in 2019-2022 (highlighting the top 2% of the most cited scientists across the globe).The main research topics covered by her publications include triboelectric energy harvesting and self-powered sensors, aerospace carbon/epoxy composite manufacture, lightweight composite structures, polymer nanocomposites for gas barrier performance and thermal management, functional textiles, multiscale and multifunctional composites, 3D printed polymers and composites by photopolymerization, etc. She has extensive experience in project management of research projects with numerous industry partners such as Auto CRC, Quickstep Technologies, Thales Australia, Ecopha Biotech, Cotton Research and Development Cooperation, Transurban, Postgraduate School of Dentistry, Future Food CRC, and Quarry Mining. A/Professor Zhang has supervised 14 PhD students to completion. Her past students have been recognised with prestigious/competitive awards (e.g., Defence Materials Technology Centre National Innovation Award, UNSW Dean’s Award for Outstanding PhD Thesis, CASS Travel Award), and have found successful careers in both academia and industry (e.g. MIT, RMIT, Carbon Revolution, ATA Scientific). Of broad community impact, Zhang has led highly visible outreach efforts based on her research in biodegradable polymer packaging, smart fibres and fabrics and recycled plastics for roadside safety barriers, with features in Create Digital from Engineers Australia, Channel Ten “Scope”, the science show in Robyn William’s ABC radio, Spotlight on cotton R&D, and the “Australian” newspaper.