Professor Hongbiao Dong FREng, FIMMM

• DPhil in Materials Science, University of Oxford, 2000
• MEng in Metallurgical Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 1992
• BEng in Metallurgical Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, 1989

• FREng, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering
• FIMMM, Fellow of IOM3 - The Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining
• Senior Fellow of the Chinese Society for Metals
• Research Chair of Royal Academy of Engineering, sponsored by TWI Ltd
• Royal Society Industry Fellow, sponsored by Rolls-Royce Plc
• Chartered Engineer

Hongbiao Dong is the University’s 125th Anniversary Chair and Professor of Materials Engineering, and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

He is internationally renowned for AI for materials and manufacturing, particularly its application in materials manufacturing, and has made distinctive contributions to the metals industry. He is Director of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital Transformation of the Metals Industry (DigitalMetal CDT) and Co-Director of the UKRI IGNITE Sustainable Manufacturing Hub.

Research in his team explores the full potential of AI and computer modelling in materials manufacturing. By fusing AI and digital technologies with materials science and manufacturing, they develop robust, interpretable and bias-aware digital tools. These tools are designed to accelerate progress towards a net-zero carbon future and to foster sustainability across the materials industry.

The outcomes of his team’s research enable knowledge-informed decision-making for high-value engineering production routes, including single-crystal aero-engine components and deep-sea oil and gas transport systems. He successfully led a major European project on modelling advanced welding (MintWeld), developing the first multi-scale modelling framework for arc welding. Its deployment in the subsea industry has helped mitigate pipeline failure risks, delivering significant cost savings. He has chaired the STFC-ISIS Engineering User Committee and serves on the Steering Committee of the European Materials Modelling Council. He is also a recipient of the Metrology for World Class Manufacturing Award.

His research has been translated into impact across multiple sectors, including aerospace (Rolls-Royce), energy (The Welding Institute, TWI) and steel (NISCO and the Materials Processing Institute). He held a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair sponsored by TWI and was a Royal Society Industry Fellow hosted by Rolls-Royce plc. He has also played a key role in establishing international partnerships between the UK and China, India and South Africa

Editorial roles

• Vice Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials (2020–)
• Associate Editor, Materials Genome Engineering Advances (2023–)
• Associate Editor, cScience (2025)
• Associate Editor, Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A (2026–)
• Deputy Editors-in-Chief, ZENtropy (2026-)

Professional service and recognition

• Review panel member, UKRI Peer Review College
• Review panel member, German Research Foundation (DFG)
• Review panel member, National Natural Science Foundation of China
• Chair, Engineering User Group, ISIS facility of the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) (2013–2018)
• Board member, European Materials Modelling Council, Working Group 2 – Modelling & Multiscale (since 09/2009)
• Recipient, Metrology for World Class Manufacturing Award (2000)

Hongbiao has cultivated a broad teaching portfolio, and delivered courses spanning engineering design, materials science, structures, materials thermodynamics and kinetics, design management, aerospace materials and engineering leadership.

Key educational initiatives include:

• CDIO Framework Implementation: At Leicester Hongbiao led their adoption of the CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate) educational framework, which integrates real-world problem-solving into engineering design teaching. This has transformed their curriculum, making engineering design the most popular subject in the school since 2009.
• Student Engagement: Through the CDIO initiative, students tackle business-relevant challenges, preparing them to innovate in industry settings. This approach has consistently enhanced student satisfaction and employability outcomes.

Key topics

• AI for Materials and Manufacturing
• Digital Manufacturing
• Manufacturing of Aerospace Materials
• Process Modelling
• Solidification
• Metals and Alloys

Currently available funded positions

• EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital Transformation of Metals Industry (DigitalMetal CDT)
  Hosted by top-tier Universities of Birmingham, Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham, and Warwick—the DigitalMetal CDT empowers over 60 emerging leaders to drive AI innovation in metals and manufacturing. This isn’t just a PhD; it’s your gateway to reshaping an entire industry. Apply online DigitalMetal CDT.

Highlights of Research Achievements

• AI in Materials Manufacturing & Data-Driven Modelling
  Pioneered in application of AI and data-driven modelling of metallurgical processes, enabling on-line control of manufacturing processes. A seminal paper has received extensive citations.
• Modelling of Alloy Solidification
  Pioneered the simulation of columnar-to equiaxed transition in solidification revealing solute interaction in advancing dendrites. This research has significant industrial applications, including single-crystal growth of gas turbines, welding and additive manufacturing. A seminal paper (2005) has garnered significant citations.
• Arc Welding Modelling Framework
  Led the development of the first multi-scale multi-physics framework for arc welding modelling through the EU-FP7 project. The framework's application in subsea pipelines reduced the risk of failures, delivering significant cost savings. Final Report Summary MINTWELD  is available.
• Casting Defect Reduction
  Developed a novel and practical solution, involving surface passivation, to reduce casting defects in single-crystal components, applied to casting of gas turbine blades, enabled production rates to meet demanding engine delivery schedules. Contributions include two international patents: EU EP2166133B1 and USA US8192564B2, and over 50 joint publications with Rolls-Royce Plc.
• Advancing Arc Welding and Additive Manufacturing
  Designed a practical solution to optimise arc welding and arc-wire additive manufacturing by controlling internal melt flow via surface-active elements. The breakthrough paper has been extensively cited, was featured in multiple news stories, and highlighted in Nature Communications’ cutting-edge materials science and metallurgy collections. It also appeared in the Diamond Annual Review 2020.

Major Research Grants and Contracts

• EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital Transformation of Metals Industry (DigitalMetal CDT)
• EPSRC Hub in Indigenous Green-steel for Net-zero Innovation, Technology and Enterprise (IGNITE Sustainable Manufacturing Hub)
• NISCO UK Research Centre
• EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Innovative Metal Processing (IMPaCT CDT)
• European Commission: Modelling of Interface Evolution in Advanced Welding (MintWeld)
• Horizon 2020: Digital "plug and produce" online welding equipment and consumables platform for manufacturing
• EPSRC Design of Novel Brazing Filler Metals using High Entropy Alloy Concepts, led by the University of Sheffield in collaboration with TWI
• Innovate UK: High Entropy Alloys for Targeted Additive Manufacturing Aerospace Applications
• Horizon 2020: Develop novel coatings for CCUS (FORGE).

Available Positions

Are you ready to lead the future of manufacturing and digital innovation? Join the DigitalMetal CDT, a ground-breaking initiative to revolutionise the metals industry, collaborating with world-renowned universities of Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham, Loughborough, and Warwick, and industry leaders like Rolls-Royce. gaining unparalleled access to state-of-the-art resources, cutting-edge research opportunities, and a vibrant network of innovators.

This is your chance to drive the next wave of advancements in manufacturing and make a lasting impact on a global scale - be part of the transformation!