SofTMech visits Xi’an Jiaotong University

By Roxanna Barry

In September 2018 I visited Xi’an Jiaotong University with my fellow SofTMech PhD student, Peter Mortensen.

The visit was to the International Centre of Applied Mechanics, and it’s director, Professor Zishun Liu. Prof. Liu, editor in chief of the International Journal of Applied Mechanics, wanted to look at starting collaborations between his (large) workgroup and SofTMech.

We visited a couple of labs within the department that tested soft materials and hydrogels and conducted experiments with water droplets. A key focus was shape memory polymers and their applications to stents. In their weekly group meeting (7:30pm to 11pm!), we presented our research and an overview of SofTMech to the work group, and heard, in turn, about each of the postgraduate research projects. The group showed an interest in our projects and Prof. Liu was keen to think about collaborative ideas.

After the visit, Pete and I were able to travel across to Beijing for a short holiday, and visit some ancient cities and the great wall.