Mr. Zheng Liu | Material Science | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at College of Material Science and Engineering, State Ker Laboratory of Materials Low-Carbon Recycling, Beijing University of Technology, China

Zheng Liu is an emerging researcher specializing in materials science with a particular focus on glass composites, sealing technologies, and structural relaxation mechanisms. Currently serving as a Research Associate at the State Key Laboratory of Materials Low-Carbon Recycling, College of Material Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Dr. Liu is committed to advancing the fundamental understanding and practical performance of glass-to-metal sealing systems. His academic path began with a Bachelor’s degree in Powder Metallurgy at Central South University and was furthered by a rigorous doctoral program at the Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology, Tsinghua University. With a strong foundation in both theoretical analysis and applied research, he has authored numerous impactful publications in top-tier journals such as the Journal of the American Ceramic Society, Ceramics International, and Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. His research has garnered recognition and funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Zheng Liu is driven by a mission to enhance material reliability in high-temperature and energy environments, and he continues to contribute to China’s innovation landscape through both research excellence and collaborative efforts in materials engineering.

Professional Profile

• ORCID Profile

Education

Zheng Liu pursued his academic training at two of China’s most prestigious institutions, establishing a robust interdisciplinary foundation in materials science. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Powder Metallurgy from the Powder Metallurgy Research Institute at Central South University, Changsha, between 2016 and 2020. During this period, he gained essential knowledge in advanced ceramics, metallurgy, and composite materials, which laid the groundwork for his future specialization in sealing and glass systems. To deepen his scientific rigor and research capabilities, he then enrolled in a Ph.D. program at the Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology, Tsinghua University, from September 2020 to June 2025. His doctoral work focused on the atomic-level dynamics of glass and glass-metal interfaces, a subject vital to energy applications and thermal engineering. Through his education, he acquired sophisticated analytical skills and became proficient in spectroscopic and computational tools, all of which are critical to understanding complex glass behaviors. These formative academic experiences equipped him with a unique blend of theoretical insight and practical proficiency, empowering him to tackle key challenges in low-carbon material development and glass sealing technologies.

Professional Experience

Zheng Liu began his professional research career in July 2025 as a Research Associate at the Beijing University of Technology, affiliated with the State Key Laboratory of Materials Low-Carbon Recycling in the College of Material Science and Engineering. His role involves leading and collaborating on critical projects related to glass-to-metal sealing, structural relaxation, and thermal-mechanical behavior in advanced materials. In this capacity, Dr. Liu applies his deep knowledge of borosilicate glass systems and their interaction with metallic substrates, particularly under high-temperature conditions. His responsibilities also include conducting photoluminescence spectroscopy, finite-element modeling, and thermal analysis to study stress evolution and interfacial behavior. Working in a multidisciplinary research environment, he coordinates with fellow scientists and engineers to translate theoretical knowledge into materials that meet industrial demands for efficiency, durability, and environmental sustainability. Prior to this appointment, his doctoral work was enriched with hands-on research projects and collaborations across materials science labs, where he demonstrated the ability to manage complex experiments and publish impactful findings. His early career reflects a strong trajectory of research commitment, innovative thinking, and technical excellence, setting the stage for significant contributions in the field of structural materials and sustainable engineering.

Research Interest

Zheng Liu’s research interests lie at the intersection of materials science, nuclear engineering, and applied physics, with a focus on glass/glass composite systems, advanced sealing materials, and structural relaxation phenomena. He is particularly intrigued by the mechanical behavior of glass-to-metal seals under thermal and mechanical stress, aiming to enhance their stability, performance, and longevity. A significant portion of his research explores the residual stress mechanisms in glass composites, with an emphasis on how glass solidification and interfacial bonding affect stress distribution. His investigations extend into photoluminescence spectroscopy as a tool for detecting microregion stress and the use of finite-element modeling for predictive stress analysis. Dr. Liu is also committed to understanding how additives like alumina nanoparticles influence glass properties at the atomic and structural levels. These interests are deeply aligned with developing next-generation sealing materials for nuclear, aerospace, and energy systems. His current work contributes to the broader scientific goal of optimizing the thermal-mechanical integration of dissimilar materials. Driven by real-world applications and sustainability concerns, Dr. Liu seeks to advance low-carbon material solutions that can withstand harsh environments while maintaining functional integrity over extended service lives.

Research Skills

Zheng Liu possesses a comprehensive suite of research skills that underpin his cutting-edge work in materials science. He is proficient in a wide range of experimental techniques including photoluminescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis (DSC/TGA), and electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), which he uses to characterize material interfaces and microstructural behavior. Additionally, he has strong expertise in finite-element modeling and simulation tools to investigate stress distribution and failure mechanisms in glass-to-metal seals. His ability to design and implement experiments on glass solidification and bonding behavior is supported by his deep understanding of structural relaxation at atomic and macroscopic scales. Zheng Liu is also adept at statistical analysis and data interpretation, ensuring the rigor and reliability of his findings. His experience with high-temperature furnace systems and controlled atmosphere conditions enables him to replicate industrial sealing environments accurately. Beyond technical skills, Dr. Liu has honed his scientific writing, grant proposal development, and collaborative research management, allowing him to contribute effectively to multidisciplinary teams. With a focus on precision, innovation, and problem-solving, his skill set is aligned with the demands of modern materials research and application in energy and structural systems.

Awards and Honors

Zheng Liu’s promising research career has already been recognized with prestigious support and accolades. Most notably, he secured funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 523B2008) for the period of May 2024 to December 2025. This grant is a testament to the national recognition of his innovative work in glass-to-metal seals and low-carbon materials. His scientific contributions have resulted in the publication of eleven peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals such as Journal of the American Ceramic Society, AIP Advances, and Ceramics International. Several of these papers have addressed critical issues in stress distribution and interfacial bonding, providing novel insights into thermal-mechanical behavior in composite materials. His ability to consistently publish significant research has earned him a growing reputation among peers and senior academics alike. During his doctoral and undergraduate studies, he was also likely to have received institutional recognitions for academic excellence and research engagement, although specific honors were not explicitly detailed. His early-career achievements position him as a rising figure in the field of functional materials for high-performance and energy-critical applications.

Conclusion

Zheng Liu stands out as a talented early-career researcher with a focused expertise in glass composites and sealing technologies, poised to make lasting contributions to the field of materials science. His academic foundation, built at Central South University and Tsinghua University, is complemented by a robust portfolio of research that bridges theoretical investigation with practical application. Now serving as a Research Associate at the Beijing University of Technology, he applies his skills to address critical challenges in low-carbon materials and energy systems. His publications reveal a consistent dedication to solving real-world problems, particularly in the optimization of glass-to-metal seals and structural integrity under stress. Funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Zheng Liu continues to build a body of work that is both scientifically rigorous and industrially relevant. With strong analytical abilities, technical proficiency, and a clear vision for sustainable materials innovation, he represents the next generation of scholars committed to transforming the way we understand and engineer functional materials. His career trajectory suggests a future rich with discovery, collaboration, and meaningful societal impact in the domain of energy-efficient and high-performance materials.

Publications Top Notes

1. Title: Assessing residual stress generation and entrapment in glass-to-metal seals: role of glass solidification during the cooling process
   Authors: Keqian Gong, Chao Zhou, Zheng Liu, Zifeng Song, Zhangjing Shi, Weisong Zhou, Yong Zhang
   Year: 2025

2. Title: Atomic origin and dynamics of structural relaxation in borosilicate glass below glass transition temperature
   Authors: Zheng Liu, Keqian Gong, Zifeng Song, Chao Zhou
   Year: 2025

3. Title: Strain rebound and inhomogeneity in glass-to-metal seals: Radial vs axial strain evolution
   Authors: Keqian Gong, Zheng Liu, Zifeng Song, Chao Zhou, Zhangjing Shi, Siyue Nie, Weisong Zhou, He Yan, Zhichun Fan, Yong Zhang
   Year: 2025

4. Title: Revealing the effect of alumina addition on the residual stress in glass-to-metal seals via photoluminescence spectroscopy
   Authors: Keqian Gong, Zheng Liu, Yangyang Cai, Zifeng Song, Chao Zhou, Jing Liu, Yuna Zhao, Yong Zhang
   Year: 2024

5. Title: Sealing Ni-Cr/Ni-Al alloys with borosilicate glass: Bonding strength, sealing interface, and fracture behavior
   Authors: Zheng Liu, Chao Zhou, Keqian Gong, Yanfei Sun, Cheng Ren, Zifeng Song, Zhangjing Shi, Yong Zhang
   Year: 2024

6. Title: Assessment of residual stress evolution in glass-to-metal seals amid heating process: Insights from in situ observations and finite-element analysis
   Authors: Keqian Gong, Zifeng Song, Yangyang Cai, Zheng Liu, Zhangjing Shi, Chao Zhou, He Yan, Yong Zhang
   Year: 2024

7. Title: Strength, microstructure and bonding mechanism of borosilicate glass-to-SA105 carbon steel seals
   Authors: Zheng Liu, Yangyang Cai, Keqian Gong, Chao Zhou, Chen Wang, Yuna Zhao, Yong Zhang
   Year: 2024

8. Title: Photoluminescence spectroscopy to detect microregion stress distribution in glass‐to‐metal seals
   Authors: Zheng Liu, Keqian Gong, Yangyang Cai, Zhen Chen, Yong Zhang
   Year: 2024

9. Title: Calibration for determination of compressive stress in glass‐to‐metal seals via photoluminescence spectroscopy
   Authors: Zheng Liu, Yangyang Cai, Keqian Gong, Weisong Zhou, Fengen Chen, Yong Zhang
   Year: 2024

10. Title: Optimization mechanism and high-temperature properties of Al₂O₃/Cu-reinforced sealing glass
    Authors: Yangyang Cai, Zheng Liu, Keqian Gong, He Yan, Yuna Zhao, Yong Zhang
    Year: 2024

11. Title: Effects of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles on the properties of glass matrix composites for sealant applications
    Authors: Zheng Liu, Keqian Gong, Chao Zhou, Zifeng Song, Yong Zhang
    Year: 2023