Associate professor at Beijing University of Technology, China
Dr. Xiaofang Zhao is currently an Associate Professor at the School of Mathematics, Statistics, and Mechanics at Beijing University of Technology. With an academic background rooted in mechanical engineering, she has built an impressive research career in the field of functional materials. She received her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Hong Kong in 2011 and pursued postdoctoral research at Tsinghua University from 2012 to 2014. Her academic path reflects a strong foundation in theoretical and experimental materials science, particularly focused on the behaviors and applications of ferroelectric materials. Dr. Zhao is widely recognized for her interdisciplinary contributions combining mechanics, materials science, and electrical engineering, and continues to drive impactful research in advanced materials.
Profile
Scopus
Education
Dr. Zhao completed her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at The University of Hong Kong in 2011. Following her doctoral studies, she undertook postdoctoral research at Tsinghua University, where she focused on the mechanics of functional materials. This formative phase allowed her to develop a specialized understanding of ferroelectric materials, multiferroic composites, and multi-field coupling systems. Her educational journey has been shaped by strong institutions that foster innovation and rigorous research, enabling her to explore both the theoretical modeling and experimental validation of material behaviors.
Experience
Dr. Zhao has been affiliated with Beijing University of Technology for several years, where she serves as an Associate Professor. Her professional journey includes significant involvement in multiple national and regional research projects, including those funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Beijing Natural Science Foundation. Her research projects cover a wide range of topics such as energy harvesting systems, flexoelectricity, multiscale modeling, and structural ceramics in extreme environments. Additionally, she holds a patent on optimized spin-coating parameters for polymer films, demonstrating her ability to translate theoretical insights into practical innovations.
Research Interests
Dr. Zhao’s research interests lie at the intersection of mechanics and materials science, with a focus on multi-field coupling mechanisms in ferroelectric materials. She explores how mechanical, electrical, and structural factors interact at the micro- and nano-scale to influence material properties. A key area of her investigation is poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) ferroelectric polymers, where she studies the influence of grain size on dielectric properties and phase transitions. Her work employs multi-scale modeling techniques, including phase-field methods and molecular dynamics, to understand complex behaviors in functional materials. These insights are valuable for applications in energy storage, sensing, and medical devices.
Awards
While specific awards are not listed, Dr. Zhao has received recognition through sustained research funding and scholarly output. Her application for the Best Researcher Award underlines her consistent and high-level contributions to the field of fiber-reinforced polymers and functional materials. With an increasing citation index and published patent, she demonstrates both academic excellence and innovation. Her work is also validated through peer-reviewed publications in top journals, which have garnered attention and citations from the scientific community.
Publications
Dr. Zhao has published numerous research papers in indexed journals. Below are seven selected publications with their publishing year, journal, and citation record:
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Zhao, X.F., Yu, M., & Zhang, X.N. (2025). The Size Effect on the Phase Transition and Dielectric Properties of Poly(vinylidene Fluoride) Ferroelectric Polymers. Polymers, 17(9): 1286. — Cited by 5 articles.
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Zhao, X.F., Zhang, X.N., & Yu, M. (2024). Multiscale understanding the interfacial layer in poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based ferroelectric polymers. Materialia, 36: 102182. — Cited by 4 articles.
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Zhao, X.F., & Soh, A.K. (2021). Investigation of the coupling effect of flexoelectricity and ferroelasticity on energy storage efficiency of relaxor ferroelectrics. Functional Materials Letters, 14(08): 2151045. — Cited by 3 articles.
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Zhao, X.F., & Soh, A.K. (2020). The grain boundary effect on electromechanical property of ferroelectric ceramics. Scripta Materialia, 178: 313–317. — Cited by 6 articles.
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Zhao, X.F., & Soh, A.K. (2018). The effect of flexoelectricity on domain switching in the vicinity of a crack in ferroelectrics. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 38(4): 1341–1348. — Cited by 7 articles.
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Zhao, X.F., & Soh, A.K. (2015). Piezoelectric properties of rhombohedral ferroelectric materials with phase transition. Functional Materials Letters, 8(3): 1540008. — Cited by 2 articles.
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Zhao, X.F., & Soh, A.K. (2012). The influence of mechanical and electrical interfacial conditions on threshold field of ferroelectric nano thin films. Functional Materials Letters, 5(1): 1250013. — Cited by 3 articles.
Conclusion
Based on her innovative research on ferroelectric polymers, multidisciplinary project leadership, high-impact publications, and a patent demonstrating applied innovation, Dr. Xiaofang Zhao stands out as a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award.
Her work addresses both theoretical complexity and practical engineering challenges, making her contributions highly relevant to the evolving field of fiber-reinforced polymer applications and beyond. Her nomination for this prestigious honor is strongly endorsed.