Prof. Hongyun Zhang | Icephobic Materials | Best Researcher Award
Professor at Kaili University | China
Dr. Hongyun Zhang is a materials and surface-engineering researcher whose work focuses on the thermodynamic and microstructural design of superhydrophobic and ice-phobic surfaces, generating a coherent body of scholarship that has earned 270 citations, 19 publications, and a Scopus h-index of 9. His studies analyse the physics underlying wetting behaviour on engineered metallic substrates, using thermodynamic modelling to map relationships between surface morphology, adhesion work, and stability of wetting states. A central contribution of his research is the development of pillar-based microstructural models that explain how hierarchical roughness controls free-energy barriers, contact-angle hysteresis, and transitions between Cassie–Baxter and Wenzel states. This modelling framework not only clarifies the energetics of water-repellent surfaces but also guides rational design of self-cleaning and drag-reducing coatings. Dr. Zhang extends these principles into ice-phobicity by computing icing delay times and evaluating how micro-scale geometry reduces ice adhesion and enhances surface robustness under sub-zero conditions. His work employs a blend of theoretical analysis, computational modelling, and applied surface engineering, providing quantitative design tools for improving performance of metal-based components in aviation, transportation, energy infrastructure, and environmental protection systems. Across his publications, he maintains a strong emphasis on linking microstructure manipulation with measurable functional outcomes, contributing both conceptual clarity and practical direction to the advancement of surface physics and metallurgical materials engineering. His cumulative output demonstrates consistent impact, a focused research niche, and a meaningful contribution to the development of advanced hydrophobic and anti-icing technologies.
Featured Publlications
Qin, Y., Zhang, H., Marlowe, N. M., & Chen, W. (2016). Evaluation of human papillomavirus detection by Abbott m2000 system on samples collected by FTA Elute Card in a Chinese HIV-1 positive population. Cited by 17
Zhang, H. (2025). Selection of second step micro-morphology for anti-icing surfaces based on icing time. Applied Surface Science. Cited by 4
Zhang, H., Yang, Y. L., Pan, J. F., & Zhang, X. K. (2018). Compare study between icephobicity and superhydrophobicity. Cited by 29
Zhang, H., Yang, Y. L., Pan, J. F., & Yang, J. (2018). Study for critical roughness based on interfacial energy. Cited by 8
Zhao, L., Wang, D., Zhang, H., & Zhi, H. (2016). Fine mapping of the RSC8 locus and expression analysis of candidate SMV resistance genes in soybean. Cited by 28