Professor Yu Shi FIMMM, CEng

Profile

I received my PhD from University of Sheffield between 2010 and 2013 for failure prediction of composite materials used for aerospace. I then started my research career as postdoctoral researcher at University of Sheffield, University Exter and AFRC, University of Strathclyde. I became lecture at University of Chester since 2015 and I was promoted to Professor since 2019. I built the smart composite materials research group with a number of grants awarded by Innovate UK, DASA, EPSRC, Levehulme trust and EU commissions. I supervised 7 PhD students with postdoctoral researchers and visiting postgraduate researchers from France, China and Japan etc. I have successfully secured external funding over £10M in his role of PIs and Co-Is. I have joined University of Leeds since 05/2023 as Chair of Textile Innovation and Smart Composite Materials appointed by Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colouring (LITAC), School of Design, by carrying on my research on smart composite materials and smart textiles with embedded electronics (printed and weaved/embroidered) for engineering applications (e.g. Aerospace, Space, Automotive, Wind & Hydrogen energy etc.) and wearables (textile, E-Skin etc.) for healthcare and ecology (e.g. wildlife, farming).

I am the Fellow of Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM), Chartered Engineer (CEng) and Fellow of HEA (FHEA). I am also the academic member of Bragg centre and Space Yorkshire Hub.

I have reviewed papers for various journals and associate editor for composites and advanced materials. Our work presented by Poweremes 2019 has been awarded by the “Best Poster Prize”. Our research funded work and collaboration on smart composite materials and manufacturing and assembly (completed) are:

• 2021–2022, PI, REMASTER, Innovate UK, Clean maritime competition: £260k;
• 2020–2021, PI, DASA - Windfarm mitigation for UK Air Defence: £63k;
• 2019–2021, PI, Innovate UK - Tackling non-exhaust and non-road vehicle air pollution: phase 2 SBRI: £1.55M;
• 2017–2019, PI, SmartBlade, Innovate UK grant, Jiangsu-UK Industrial Challenge: £500k

Research interests

My research focuses on the development of smart/multifunctional composite materials and textile innnovation through printed or weaved electronics, including engineering materaisl such as carbon/glass fibre reinforced composite and textile materials. More specifically, I am interested in smart textile, smart composite structure, advanced design of composite, optimised manufacturing and processing of composite, repair and recycling of composite, failure analysis and assessment of composite, finite element modelling, nanocomposite, energy harvesting, structural health monitoring, inkjet/screen printing, Ice detection and Deicing, conformal antenna and communication for future lightweight and sustainable applications on electric/hydrogen aircraft, Spacecraft, automotive, rail vehicles, renewable (wind and hydrogen) energies, buildings, infrastructures.

I am also the PIs for the funded projects to develop smart textile wearables for healthcare, such as mental health monitoring, prosthetcis and musculoskeletal issues, and for animals’ monitoring for ecology.

We have several ongoing projects funded externally:

• Smart Motion (Smart textile for monitoring of musculoskeletal disorder and rehabilitation), PI, Innovate UK, 12/2022-05/2024, £500k;
• Deloneliness (Smart textile for monitoring and help to reduce loneliness), PI of UoL, EPSRC, 05/2022 – 07/2025, £1.5M;
• Romain (Robotic inspection and repair of wind turbine composite blade), PI, EU Horizon, 09/2022 – 09/2025, €3M;
• Batman (Smart and ultralightweight wearable for wild bat monitoring), Co-I, Leverhulme Trust, 09/2023 – 12/2026, £500k;
• Intake (Multifunctional nanocomposite material for hybrid energy harvesting), Co-I, EU H2020 RISE, 09/2022 – 09/2026, €800k.

• BAT Monitoring via novel Assays and smart Nano-electronics (BATMAN)
• Deloneliness (Smart textile for monitoring and help to reduce loneliness)
• Intake (Multifunctional nanocomposite material for hybrid energy harvesting)
• Romain (Robotic inspection and repair of wind turbine composite blade)

Qualifications

• PhD
• Leadership and Management in Higher Education - Postgraduate Diploma (L7)
• MEng
• BEng

Professional memberships

• FIMMM
• CEng
• FHEA

Current postgraduate researchers

• Siyuan (Cyan) Zhao
• Peter Michael Wing
• Meng Li