Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator Series: Dr Yi Xiong, Southern University of Science and Technology, China
Abstract
Our Emerging Investigator Series features exceptional work by early-career researchers working in the field of materials science.
Dr Xiong Yi is an assistant professor in the School of System Design and Intelligent Manufacturing at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech). He received his PhD in engineering design and production from Aalto University, Finland, in 2016. From 2016 to 2017, he worked as a research engineer at Flanders Make, Belgium and participated in several R&D projects to develop industrial-grade additive manufacturing systems. From 2017-2020, he was a Research Fellow II in the digital manufacturing and design center at Singapore University of Technology and Design. His research interests include computational design and fabrication, additive manufacturing of composites, design for additive manufacturing, smart materials and structures. Dr Xiong has over ten years of international R&D experience, working with several projects funded by EU FP7, the National Research Foundation (Singapore), Research Foundations Flanders (Belgium), and Academy of Finland. He has successively presided over projects such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the National Key R&D Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology. He has authored more than forty peer-reviewed scientific publications. Dr Xiong also serves as an external reviewer for the Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) in Belgium.
Read Yi Xiong’s Emerging Investigator Series article ‘Assembled mechanical metamaterials with integrated functionalities of programmable multistability and multitransition behaviors’ ( https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MH00906A ) and read more about him in the interview below:
MH: Your recent Materials Horizons Communication reports a novel class of mechanical metamaterial featuring programmable multistability and function-oriented multitransition behaviors. How has your research evolved from your first article to this most recent article and where do you see your research going in future?
YX: Our recent work in Materials Horizons is part of an ongoing series of studies on active structures that can dynamically adjust their configuration, and thus their performance, in an on-demand manner. This latest research is quite different from my first article published 12 years ago, which focused on micro-robotics for my Master’s thesis. However, my core research motivation remains the same: to develop intelligent systems through the engineering design of structures, materials, and their manufacturing processes. In these studies, selecting the right design concept and working within a large, multidisciplinary design space is crucial. For instance, reconfigurability can be achieved using stimuli-responsive materials, mechanisms, or deformation, but choosing the optimal approach remains a complex challenge for designers. To tackle this, our current research focuses on key design and manufacturing challenges in the development of next-generation structure–function integrated composite materials and products. By addressing these, we aim to enable more efficient, cost-effective development of lightweight, functionally integrated components, offering innovative solutions for applications such as low-altitude aircraft and humanoid robots.
MH: What aspect of your work are you most excited about at the moment?
YX: I’m most excited about how additive manufacturing has unlocked the ability to create intelligent systems with rich shape, material, hierarchical, and functional complexities, leading to new design concepts and advanced methods, such as the metamaterials we recently developed, which expand the possibilities of synthetic materials and performance capabilities, offering a glimpse into the future of creating complex, all-in-one systems that can sense, actuate, and control, much like living organisms.
MH: In your opinion, what are the most important questions to be asked/answered in this field of research?
YX: In my opinion, some of the most important questions in this field of research include: how can we further enhance the integration of material, structure, and function in additive manufacturing to develop more efficient, multifunctional systems? What are the limits of complexity in design and fabrication, and how can we push those boundaries? Additionally, how can advancements in information technology be leveraged to optimize the design and manufacturing processes, enabling more intelligent, adaptive, and precise solutions?
MH: What do you find most challenging about your research?
YX: In my research, which falls within the intersection of advanced manufacturing and mechanical design, one of the biggest challenges is managing the interdisciplinary nature of the field. This area requires a foundation in multiple disciplines, such as mechanical engineering, mechanics, materials science, electronics, and information technology, while also demanding in-depth investigation into specific scientific problems. Balancing the breadth and depth of research in such a multidisciplinary domain is a common challenge.
To address this, our team employs a twofold strategy. First, we assemble a team with diverse academic backgrounds to collaborate on tackling complex problems from different angles. Second, we clearly define the primary focus of our research efforts, avoiding the pitfall of trying to cover too many areas and losing focus. This allows us to maintain a strategic balance between what we pursue deeply and what we choose to deprioritize.
MH: In which upcoming conferences or events may our readers meet you?
YX: You can often find me at international conferences focused on additive manufacturing and engineering design, where I regularly participate to stay up-to-date and connect with fellow researchers.
MH: How do you spend your spare time?
YX: In my spare time, I enjoy hiking and running. Living in Shenzhen, I’m fortunate to have access to many beautiful hiking trails, which I love exploring whenever I get the chance. It’s a great way to unwind, stay active, and connect with nature. In addition to hiking, I’ve set a personal goal to participate in a half-marathon annually before I turn forty, and so far, I’ve successfully completed five of them. This goal not only keeps me motivated to maintain my fitness but also gives me something to look forward to each year, pushing myself both physically and mentally.
MH: Can you share one piece of career-related advice or wisdom with other early career scientists?
YX: One piece of career-related advice I would offer to early-career scientists is to recognize that exploring a new research topic takes considerable time, so it’s essential to plan ahead. Delving into unfamiliar areas, whether it’s mastering new techniques or understanding complex theories, often takes longer than expected. To manage this, break your project into smaller, achievable milestones and build in time for reading, learning, and troubleshooting. Planning ahead also helps in balancing multiple tasks and avoiding last-minute rushes, which can be stressful and counterproductive. Remember, seeking guidance from mentors and colleagues can also accelerate your learning curve and provide valuable insights, making the exploration process smoother and more efficient.
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