Laichang Zhang
Edith Cowan University Australia
Biography:
Professor Laichang Zhang is a Tenured Professor at Edith Cowan University (Australia) and Director ofthe Centre for Advanced Materials and Fabrication. A globally recognized researcher (H-index: 91,citations: 30,000+), he specializes in advanced materials development, particularly novel titanium alloys,with expertise spanning metal additive manufacturing, biomaterials, and lightweight structures.
After obtaining his Ph.D. from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (2005), Professor Zhang held positionsat leading institutions in Germany and Australia, including the Technical University of Darmstadt andUniversity of Wollongong. His distinguished career includes recognition as a Humboldt Scholar andHighly Cited Researcher.
With 390+ peer-reviewed publications, 3 English monographs, and 21 book chapters, his work has beenfeatured in prominent media worldwide. Professor Zhang actively contributes to the academiccommunity through editorial roles for 10+ international journals, while leading research initiatives inadvanced materials fabrication and characterization.
Speech Title:
Enhanced Performance of Metallic Lattice Structures Fabricated by Additive Manufacturing
Abstract:
Cellular structures (periodic honeycomb materials) are architectures composed of spatially periodicarrays of cells with edges and faces. Despite their superior properties such as low elastic modulus, highspecific stiffness and strength, large surface area, abundant internal porosity, and relatively low stressconcentrations, research on cellular structures has long been constrained by traditional manufacturingand performance optimization methods, which struggle to control the morphological characteristics ofpore networks. The application of 3D printing technology has expanded the design and manufacturingpossibilities for cellular structures, offering the most promising solutions for diverse applications. For instance, beta-type biomedical titanium cellular structures fabricated via Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Electron Beam Melting (EBM) exhibit exceptional mechanical performance as potential load-bearing implants, characterized by superelasticity, low Young’s modulus, high strength, superiorenergy absorption, and fatigue resistance. Additionally, porous iron-based metallic glass compositesproduced by SLM demonstrate outstanding overall catalytic capabilities compared to other catalysts,achieving high reaction rate constants and low activation energy. The reusability and integrated catalyticperformance of these SLM-fabricated porous iron-based metallic glass composites hold great potentialfor designing next-generation catalysts with practical applications and high economic value.