Assist. Prof. Dr. Yuhang Li | Wire Arc | Best Researcher Award
Assistant Professor at Tianjin University of Technology and Education | China
Assist. Prof. Dr. Yuhang Li is a researcher and lecturer at the Tianjin University of Technology and Education, specializing in additive manufacturing, submerged-arc additive manufacturing, and welding thermal process simulation. He received his Ph.D. in Materials Processing Engineering from Tianjin University, under the mentorship of Professors Cheng Fangjie and Wang Dongpo. His research has centered on pioneering advanced welding technologies and enhancing the performance of large-scale steel components through innovative additive manufacturing strategies. Dr. Li was the first to propose the “full-layer-penetrated” controllable intrinsic heat treatment (IHT) mechanism in submerged-arc additive manufacturing, enabling improved strength-toughness balance in structural steels for offshore and construction applications. With over eight publications, including in Additive Manufacturing, Journal of Materials Processing Technology, and Materials Science and Engineering A, his work has been cited more than 130 times. He is a member of several academic societies and serves as a peer reviewer for the Rapid Prototyping Journal.
Professional Profile
Scopus | ORCID
Education
Assist. Prof. Dr. Yuhang Li pursued his academic career at Tianjin University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, specializing in materials processing and welding thermal simulation. During his doctoral studies, he focused on advanced additive manufacturing methods and developed innovative insights into submerged-arc additive manufacturing (SAAM). Before his doctoral work, he gained strong foundational training in welding processes and manufacturing simulation through academic projects and collaborations. He also acquired professional qualifications from the International Institute of Welding in Shenyang, which expanded his technical expertise in applied welding sciences. Throughout his education, Dr. Li worked under the guidance of Professors Cheng Fangjie and Wang Dongpo, whose mentorship shaped his research direction toward bridging experimental studies with numerical simulations. His academic journey provided him with a rigorous understanding of microstructure evolution, heat transfer, and mechanical behavior of additively manufactured steels, laying the groundwork for his later research contributions.
Experience
Assist. Prof. Dr. Yuhang Li is currently a lecturer at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology and Education. His academic position carries the equivalent status of an associate professor, reflecting his research achievements and leadership in the field of additive manufacturing. Dr. Li has independently led projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Tianjin Municipal Education Commission. He has also contributed as a core member to major collaborative research, including projects supported by the National Nuclear Power Technology Innovation Center and industrial initiatives with Sany Heavy Industry. His career is marked by building one of the first high-efficiency submerged arc additive manufacturing platforms in China and applying the IHT mechanism to enhance the structural performance of large steel components. Beyond teaching and research, he actively participates in professional societies and serves as a reviewer for leading international journals, extending his influence across academia and industry.
Awards and Honors
Assist. Prof. Dr. Yuhang Li’s research excellence has been recognized through multiple competitive grants and academic honors. He has been awarded funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China for his work on strengthening and toughening mechanisms in high-strength steels using submerged arc additive manufacturing. Additionally, he has received two research grants from the Tianjin Municipal Education Commission, supporting his studies on microstructure refinement and toughness improvement in low-carbon and HSLA steels. His publications in leading journals, including Additive Manufacturing and Materials Science and Engineering A, have gained international recognition and citations, demonstrating his impact in the field. Dr. Li was also invited to serve as a peer reviewer for the Rapid Prototyping Journal, acknowledging his expertise in additive manufacturing. Furthermore, he holds membership in the Chinese Society for Metals, the Welding Branch of the Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society, and the National Committee of Experts on Additive Manufacturing Youth Expert Group.
Research Focus
Assist. Prof. Dr. Yuhang Li’s research is centered on advancing additive manufacturing technologies for high-performance steel components, with a special emphasis on submerged-arc additive manufacturing (SAAM). His pioneering work on the “full-layer-penetrated” intrinsic heat treatment (IHT) mechanism has opened new possibilities for balancing strength and toughness in large-scale steels used in offshore and construction industries. He investigates microstructure evolution, grain refinement, and low-temperature toughness improvements through IHT, addressing limitations of traditional steel manufacturing processes. His studies extend into numerical simulations of welding thermal fields, providing predictive insights into arc behavior, heat transfer, and phase transformations during additive manufacturing. Dr. Li also explores uniform refinement of microstructures in oversized steel components, enabling near-net shaping with improved mechanical properties. His work bridges fundamental science with industrial application, significantly lowering service limits of structural steels in ultra-low-temperature environments and enhancing the potential for safe, sustainable, and efficient production of critical infrastructure components.
Publication top Notes
Microstructure homogeneity and strength-toughness balance in submerged arc additive manufactured Mn-Ni-Mo high-strength steel by unique intrinsic heat treatment
Year: 2022
Citation: 27
Study on the influence of interlayer temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of submerged arc additively manufactured low-carbon steel and its in-situ toughening mechanism
Year: 2021
Citation: 7
Submerged arc additive manufacturing (SAAM) of low-carbon steel: Effect of in-situ intrinsic heat treatment (IHT) on microstructure and mechanical properties
Year: 2021
Citation 55
Dramatic improvement of impact toughness for the fabricating of low-carbon steel components via submerged arc additive manufacturing
Year: 2021
Citation: 23
Numerical simulation of arc characteristics under mixtures of argon and hydrogen in gas tungsten arc welding
Year: 2019
Citation: 2
Simulation and analysis of heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics of arc plasma in longitudinal magnetic field-tungsten inert gas hybrid welding
Year: 2018
Citation: 36
Conclusion
Overall, Assist. Prof. Dr. Yuhang Li is a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His groundbreaking contributions to additive manufacturing and intrinsic heat treatment mechanisms have advanced both scientific understanding and industrial application. His innovative research, strong publication record, and leadership in national projects demonstrate clear strengths. While opportunities exist for greater international collaboration, commercialization, and research group development, his trajectory indicates a rising star in materials science and engineering. He not only meets but exceeds the criteria for recognition and is an excellent fit for this award.