Engineering

Dr Yaan Liu

Dr Yaan Liu

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Engineering

I am a Research Fellow at the Centre for Additive Layer Manufacturing (CALM) & Exeter Technologies Group (ETG) (http://engineering.exeter.ac.uk/research/etg/) in the Department of Engineering.

 

My expertise in additive manufacturing (AM) of polymers, ceramics, and multifunctional nanocomposites, together with a proven track record in interdisciplinary research and supervision. My research spans nanoscale to large-scale AM, bridging fundamental science with industrial applications in energy, defence, medical, and metamaterials. AM technoligies include two-photon lithography (TPL), powder bed fusion (PBF) and materials extrusion (MEX). 

EDUCATION

  • PhD in Materials Engineering (Apr 2015 - Jun 2018)

0Centre for Additive Manufacturing (CfAM), University of Nottingham, UK

  • MSc in Polymer Science and Technology (with Distinction) (Oct 2013 – Oct 2014)

Loughborough University, UK

  • Bachelor in Biofunctional Materials (Sep 2009 – Oct 2013)

Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China 

Final Year Exchange: Loughborough University, UK

 

RESEARCH GRANTS AND PROJECTS

  • PI | Royal Society Research Grant (2025-2026)

   Spray dried Sic ceramic materix composite (CMC) powders for AM

  • PI | UK Metamaterials Network Small Grants Fund (2025-2026)

   3D printed SiC mid-IR metamaterials

  • PI | Royal Society Short Industry Fellowship (2024–2025) 
    Unlocking the Potential of SiC Powders in Additive Manufacturing 
  • PI | Innovate UK Accelerated Knowledge Transfer (AKT) (2022–2023)
    Feasibility Study on Additive Manufacturing of Silicon Carbide 

 

Projects contributed as a researcher 

  • EPSRC Project (2022–Present)
    Near-Room Temperature Solid-State Hydrogen Storage (EP/Y007778/1)
  • Innovate UK (2021–2023)
    Carbon Forest Products: 3D Heatsinks from Sustainably Sourced Lignin Carbon (Ref: 10003392)
  • Innovate UK (2021–2023)
    Overprinting with High-Performance Polymers (OverHiPP) (Ref: 10004428)
  • Joint Industry Case Study with Victrex, Arkema, and Kumovis (2021–2023)
    Exploring PAEKs in AM for Cranial Implant Application 
  • EPSRC RiR Program with MTC & Thales (EP/T517240/1)

  AM PEEK in Submarine Applications

  • EPSRC (2018–2020)

   High-Performance Polymeric Composite Materials for Multifunctional AM Components (EP/N034627/1)

  • Innovate UK (2018–2021)
    Multifunctional PAEK Nanocomposites for Additive Manufacturing (F4 PAEK) (Ref: 104051)

 

Conference presentations:

  • Y.Liu, S. Gorman, O.Ghita, Powder bed fusion (PBF) of SiC: powder packing modelling for density prediction. Ceramic AM Summit. July 1-2, 2025, Berlin, Germany.
  • Y. Liu, Y. Chen, R. Davies, O.Ghita, Fabrication of 3D printed surface - porous PAEK structures: potential applications. High Performance Polymeric Additive Manufacturing. November 11-12, 2024.
  • Y. Liu, Y. Chen, R. Davies, O.Ghita, Fabrication of 3D printed surface- porous PAEK structures. 2024 Implant Polymers: UHMWPE & PEEK Conference. Jun 20-21, 2024.
  • Y. Chen, Y. Liu, C. A. Comelli, O. Ghita, Improving Overprinted PA-CF/PA6 Interface Bonding by Atmospheric Plasma Treatment, 38th Polymer Processing Society Conference. May 22-26, 2023.
  • Y. Liu, N. Yi, R. Davies, P. McCutchion, O. Ghita, Additive Manufacturing of PEEK Cranial Implants: Powder Bed Fusion or Material Extrusion? 2022 Combined UHMWPE, PEEK, and Polymer Implant Additive Manufacturing Conference. June 23-24, 2022.
  • Y. Liu, Q. Hu, F. Zhang, C. Tuck, D. Irvine, R. Hague, Y. He, M. Simoelli, G. A. Rance, E. F. Smith, R. Wildman, Additive Manufacture of 3D Metal-polymer Nanocomposites by Simultaneous Multiphoton Polymerisation and Photoreduction, IOP Institute of Physics: Printing and Graphics Science Group 2018. March 28, 2018.
  • Q. Hu, Y. Liu, F. Zhang, R. Wildman, C. Tuck, R. Hague, Fabrication of 3d Polymer Metal Nano-composites in a Single Step by Two-photon Induced Polymerisation and Metal Salt Reduction, Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium. 2015.1036-1042.

 

Technical articles

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