Zhirong Liao

Contact

• workRoom B47 Advanced Manufacturing Building
  Jubilee Campus
  Wollaton Road
  Nottingham
  NG8 1BB
  UK
• work+44 0115 74 87088
• Zhirong.Liao@nottingham.ac.uk

Biography

Prof. Zhirong Liao finished his PhD study at Harbin Institute of Technology and joined the Rolls-Royce UTC in Manufacturing and On-Wing Technology, University of Nottingham, as a research fellow in 2016. He was awarded a Nottingham Research Fellowship and started his independent academic career at the University of Nottingham in 2019, and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2022 and Full Professor in 2025. His research area mainly focuses on conventional and nonconventional manufacturing technologies with conscious of materials science. His expertise covers machining, laser materials processing, micromechanics, machine tools, sensing, and precision engineering. His research has been applied to aerospace, automotive and medical engineering sectors. He is the winner of Rising Star of the University of Nottingham Knowledge Exchange and Impact Awards (2023). He is an Associate Member of the International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP), Chairman of CIRP UK, Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), and Member of the International Society for Nanomanufacturing (ISNM). Prof. Zhirong Liao is also an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture, and the Senior Editor of the Journal of Materials Processing Technology, which are top journals in the manufacturing field.

Expertise Summary

• Machining of special materials (composites, biomaterials, steels, Ni/Ti based superalloys, crystal materials)
• Energy Beam processing (Waterjet machining/peening, Laser beam machining/welding, Laser-assisted machining)
• Ultra-precision manufacturing, Micro-machining, Nanomachining
• Surface integrity, micro/nano-mechanics, materials characterisation
• Shot peening, surface modification
• Design of innovative Cutting Tools, Tooling and Fixturing, Development of special machine tools
• Process monitoring, Signal processing technology, Smart tooling solutions, MEMS sensing solutions
• Electrical/Control system development for special mechanical systems

Selected Publications

• LIAO, Z., POLYAKOV, M., DIAZ, O. G., AXINTE, D., MOHANTY, G., MAEDER, X., MICHLER, J. and HARDY, M., 2019. Grain refinement mechanism of nickel-based superalloy by severe plastic deformation - Mechanical machining case: Acta Materialia Acta Materialia. 180, 2-14
• XU, D., LIAO, Z., AXINTE, D., HARDY, M. and M'SAOUBI, R., 2019. A quick method for evaluating the thresholds of workpiece surface damage in machining: CIRP Annals CIRP Annals.
• SHANG, Z., LIAO, Z., SARASUA, J. A., BILLINGHAM, J. and AXINTE, D., 2019. On modelling of laser assisted machining: Forward and inverse problems for heat placement control: International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture. 138, 36-50
• LIAO, ZHIRONG, AXINTE, DRAGOS and GAO, DONG, 2019. On modelling of cutting force and temperature in bone milling JOURNAL OF MATERIALS PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY. 266, 627-638

• View all publications

• LIU, Q., CHENG, J., LIAO, Z., LUO, X., YANG, Y., LI, M., YANG, H., TAN, C., WANG, G., DING, W., YIN, Z., ZHAO, L. and CHEN, M., 2023. Research on the light intensity modulation and characterizing methods of surface texture on KDP optics generated in fly-cutting and micro ball-end milling processes: CIRP Journal of Manufacturing Science and Technology CIRP Journal of Manufacturing Science and Technology. 41, 30-43
• YANG, Y., BILLINGHAM, J., AXINTE, D. and LIAO, Z., 2023. A rational approach to beam path planning in additive manufacturing: The inverse heat placement problem: Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences. 479(2270),
• ZHANG, P., GAO, D., HONG, D., LU, Y., WU, Q., ZAN, S. and LIAO, Z., 2023. Improving generalisation and accuracy of on-line milling chatter detection via a novel hybrid deep convolutional neural network: Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing. 193,
• LIU, Q., CHENG, J., LIAO, Z., LIU, M., CHEN, M., ZHAO, L., LEI, H. and DING, W., 2023. Fractal Analysis on Machined Surface Morphologies of Soft-Brittle KDP Crystals Processed by Micro Ball-End Milling: Materials Materials. 16(5),
• SANCHEZ, I., AXINTE, D., LIAO, Z., GAVALDA-DIAZ, O. and SMITH, R., 2023. The effect of high strain rate impact in Yttria stabilized zirconia: Materials and Design Materials and Design. 229,
• ZAN, S., LIU, G., LIAO, Z., AXINTE, D. and FANG, F., 2023. Inverse size effect and deformation mechanism in Ti-6Al-4V cutting process – investigation on effect of bimodal microstructure on machining: CIRP Annals CIRP Annals.
• ZHANG, P., GAO, D., HONG, D., LU, Y., WANG, Z. and LIAO, Z., 2023. Intelligent tool wear monitoring based on multi-channel hybrid information and deep transfer learning: Journal of Manufacturing Systems Journal of Manufacturing Systems. 69, 31-47
• HAN, X., LIAO, Z., LUNA, G. G., LI, H. N. and AXINTE, D., 2022. Towards the understanding the effect of surface integrity on the fatigue performance of silicon carbide particle reinforced aluminium matrix composites: Journal of Manufacturing Processes Journal of Manufacturing Processes. 73, 518-530
• ZHANG, Y., ROBLES-LINARES, J. A., CHEN, L., LIAO, Z., SHIH, A. J. and WANG, C., 2022. Advances in machining of hard tissues – From material removal mechanisms to tooling solutions: International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture. 172,
• CHEN, S., YANG, S., LIAO, Z., FAI CHEUNG, C., JIANG, Z. and ZHANG, F., 2022. Study of deterministic surface micro-texture generation in ultra-precision grinding considering wheel oscillation: Optics Express Optics Express. 30(4), 5329-5346
• WANG, Z., LIAO, Z., YANG, Y., DONG, X., AUGUSTINAVICIUS, G., YU, T. and ZHAO, J., 2022. Modelling and experimental study of surface treatment in abrasive waterjet peening of Nickel-based superalloy: Inverse problem: Materials and Design Materials and Design. 215,
• LI, J., LI, H. N., LIAO, Z. and AXINTE, D., 2022. Overlapped wire-fed laser cladding on inclined surfaces: An analytical model considering gravity and a model application: Journal of Materials Processing Technology Journal of Materials Processing Technology. 304,
• YANG, Y., LIAO, Z. and WANG, Z., 2022. Predictive model of the surface topography for compliant grinding of brittle materials: CIRP Annals CIRP Annals.
• LA MONACA, A., LIAO, Z., AXINTE, D. A., M'SAOUBI, R. and HARDY, M. C., 2022. Can higher cutting speeds and temperatures improve the microstructural surface integrity of advanced Ni-base superalloys?: CIRP Annals CIRP Annals.
• ROBLES-LINARES, J. A., LIAO, Z., AXINTE, D. and GAMEROS, A., 2022. The effect of interstitial fluid on the machining behaviour of cortical bone: Journal of Materials Processing Technology Journal of Materials Processing Technology. 307,
• ABBA, E., SPEIDEL, A., LIAO, Z. R., AXINTE, D. and NOVOVIC, D., 2022. A bar of cutting fluid: Deep Eutectic Fluids with a novel flavour: Materials Today Advances Materials Today Advances. 16,
• WEI, W., ROBLES-LINARES, J. A., LIAO, Z., WANG, Z., LUNA, G. G., BILLINGHAM, J. and AXINTE, D., 2022. On modelling coolant penetration into the microchannels at the tool-workpiece interface: Journal of Manufacturing Processes Journal of Manufacturing Processes. 84, 43-54
• AXINTE, D., HUANG, H., YAN, J. and LIAO, Z., 2022. What micro-mechanical testing can reveal about machining processes: International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture. 183,
• ROBLES-LINARES, J. A., AXINTE, D., LIAO, Z. and GAMEROS, A., 2021. Machining-induced thermal damage in cortical bone: Necrosis and micro-mechanical integrity: Materials and Design Materials and Design. 197,
• HAN, X., XU, D. D., AXINTE, D., LIAO, Z. R. and LI, H. N., 2021. On understanding the specific cutting mechanisms governing the workpiece surface integrity in metal matrix composites machining: Journal of Materials Processing Technology Journal of Materials Processing Technology. 288, 15
• LIU, Q., LIAO, Z., CHENG, J., XU, D. and CHEN, M., 2021. Mechanism of chip formation and surface-defects in orthogonal cutting of soft-brittle potassium dihydrogen phosphate crystals: Materials and Design Materials and Design. 198,
• LI, J., LI, H. N., LIAO, Z. and AXINTE, D., 2021. Analytical modelling of full single-track profile in wire-fed laser cladding: Journal of Materials Processing Technology Journal of Materials Processing Technology. 290,
• ZHIRONG LIAO, ANDREA LA MONACA, JAMES MURRAY, ALISTAIR SPEIDEL, DMITRII USHMAEV, ADAM CLARE, DRAGOS AXINTE and RACHID M'SAOUBI, 2021. Surface integrity in metal machining - Part I: Fundamentals of surface characteristics and formation mechanisms International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture. 103687
• CHEN, S., YANG, S., LIAO, Z., CHEUNG, C. F., JIANG, Z. and ZHANG, F., 2021. Curvature effect on surface topography and uniform scallop height control in normal grinding of optical curved surface considering wheel vibration: Optics Express Optics Express. 29(6), 8041-8063
• ANDREA LA MONACA, JAMES W. MURRAY, ZHIRONG LIAO, ALISTAIR SPEIDEL, JOSE A. ROBLES-LINARES, DRAGOS A. AXINTE, MARK C. HARDY and ADAM T. CLARE, 2021. Surface integrity in metal machining - Part II: Functional performance International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture. 103718
• LIAO, Z., XU, D., AXINTE, D., DIBOINE, J. and WRETLAND, A., 2021. Surface formation mechanism in waterjet guided laser cutting of a Ni-based superalloy: CIRP Annals CIRP Annals.
• XU, D., EDWARDS, T. E. J., LIAO, Z., MAEDER, X., RAMACHANDRAMOORTHY, R., JAIN, M., MICHLER, J. and AXINTE, D., 2021. Revealing Nanoscale deformation mechanisms caused by shear-based material removal on individual grains of a Ni-based superalloy: Acta Materialia Acta Materialia. 212,
• ANDREA LA MONACA, DRAGOS A. AXINTE, ZHIRONG LIAO, RACHID M'SAOUBI and MARK C. HARDY, 2021. Towards understanding the thermal history of microstructural surface deformation when cutting a next generation powder metallurgy nickel-base superalloy International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture. 103765
• LIAO, Z., XU, D., LUNA, G. G., AXINTE, D., AUGUSTINAVICIUS, G., SARASUA, J. A. and WRETLAND, A., 2021. Influence of surface integrity induced by multiple machining processes upon the fatigue performance of a nickel based superalloy: Journal of Materials Processing Technology Journal of Materials Processing Technology. 298,
• WINTER, K., LIAO, Z., RAMANATHAN, R., AXINTE, D., VAKIL, G. and GERADA, C., 2021. How non-conventional machining affects the surface integrity and magnetic properties of non-oriented electrical steel: Materials and Design Materials and Design. 210,
• LIU, Q., CHEN, M., LIAO, Z., FENG, J., XU, D. and CHENG, J., 2021. On the improvement of the ductile removal ability of brittle KDP crystal via temperature effect: Ceramics International Ceramics International.
• XU, D., DING, L., LIU, Y., ZHOU, J. and LIAO, Z., 2021. Investigation of the influence of tool rake angles on machining of inconel 718: Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing. 5(3),
• WANG, Z., LIAO, Z., AXINTE, D., DONG, X., XU, D. and AUGUSTINAVICIUS, G., 2021. Analytical model for predicting residual stresses in abrasive waterjet peening: Materials and Design Materials and Design. 212,
• DING, L., LIAO, Z., BUTLER-SMITH, P. and COLTON, M., 2021. On the anisotropy in the dry-sliding behaviour of a self-lubricating PTFE composite and the effects from surface texturing: Composite Interfaces Composite Interfaces.
• DING, L., LIAO, Z., BUTLER-SMITH, P. and COLTON, M., 2021. On the anisotropy in the dry-sliding behaviour of a self-lubricating PTFE composite and the effects from surface texturing: Composite Interfaces Composite Interfaces.
• HAN, XIAO, XU, DONGDONG, AXINTE, DRAGOS, LIAO, ZHIRONG and LI, HAO NAN, 2021. On understanding the specific cutting mechanisms governing the workpiece surface integrity in metal matrix composites machining JOURNAL OF MATERIALS PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY. 288,
• XU, D., LIAO, Z., AXINTE, D. and HARDY, M., 2020. A novel method to continuously map the surface integrity and cutting mechanism transition in various cutting conditions: International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture. 151,
• YANG, Y., LI, H., LIAO, Z., AXINTE, D., ZHU, W. and BEAUCAMP, A., 2020. Controlling of compliant grinding for low-rigidity components: International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture. 152,
• ANDREA LA MONACA, ZHIRONG LIAO and DRAGOS AXINTE, 2020. A digital approach to automatically assess the machining-induced microstructural surface integrity Journal of Materials Processing Technology. 282, 116703
• XU, D., LIAO, Z., AXINTE, D., SARASUA, J. A., M'SAOUBI, R. and WRETLAND, A., 2020. Investigation of surface integrity in laser-assisted machining of nickel based superalloy: Materials and Design Materials and Design. 194,
• LIAO, Z., SANCHEZ, I., XU, D., AXINTE, D., AUGUSTINAVICIUS, G. and WRETLAND, A., 2020. Dual-processing by abrasive waterjet machining—A method for machining and surface modification of nickel-based superalloy: Journal of Materials Processing Technology Journal of Materials Processing Technology. 285,
• LIAO, Z., XU, D., AXINTE, D., M'SAOUBI, R., THELIN, J. and WRETLAND, A., 2020. Novel cutting inserts with multi-channel irrigation at the chip-tool interface: Modelling, design and experiments: CIRP Annals CIRP Annals. 69(1), 65-68
• LIU, Q., LIAO, Z. and AXINTE, D., 2020. Temperature effect on the material removal mechanism of soft-brittle crystals at nano/micron scale: International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture.
• SHANG, Z., LIAO, Z., SARASUA, J. A., BILLINGHAM, J. and AXINTE, D., 2019. On modelling of laser assisted machining: Forward and inverse problems for heat placement control: International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture. 138, 36-50
• LIAO, ZHIRONG, AXINTE, DRAGOS and GAO, DONG, 2019. On modelling of cutting force and temperature in bone milling JOURNAL OF MATERIALS PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY. 266, 627-638
• GAVALDA DIAZ, O., GARCIA LUNA, G., LIAO, Z. and AXINTE, D., 2019. The new challenges of machining Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs): Review of surface integrity: International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture. 139, 24-36
• XU, D., LIAO, Z., AXINTE, D., HARDY, M. and M'SAOUBI, R., 2019. A quick method for evaluating the thresholds of workpiece surface damage in machining: CIRP Annals CIRP Annals.
• AXINTE, D., GUO, Y., LIAO, Z., SHIH, A. J., M'SAOUBI, R. and SUGITA, N., 2019. Machining of biocompatible materials — Recent advances: CIRP Annals CIRP Annals.
• LIAO, Z., ABDELHAFEEZ, A., LI, H., YANG, Y., DIAZ, O. G. and AXINTE, D., 2019. State-of-the-art of surface integrity in machining of metal matrix composites: International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture. 143, 63-91
• LIU, QI, CHENG, JIAN, LIAO, ZHIRONG, YANG, HAO, ZHAO, LINJIE and CHEN, MINGJUN, 2019. Incident laser modulation by tool marks on micro-milled KDP crystal surface: Numerical simulation and experimental verification OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY. 119,
• LIAO, Z., POLYAKOV, M., DIAZ, O. G., AXINTE, D., MOHANTY, G., MAEDER, X., MICHLER, J. and HARDY, M., 2019. Grain refinement mechanism of nickel-based superalloy by severe plastic deformation - Mechanical machining case: Acta Materialia Acta Materialia. 180, 2-14
• MA, N., DONG, X., PALMER, D., ARREGUIN, J. C., LIAO, Z., WANG, M. and AXINTE, D., 2019. Parametric vibration analysis and validation for a novel portable hexapod machine tool attached to surfaces with unequal stiffness: Journal of Manufacturing Processes Journal of Manufacturing Processes. 47, 192-201
• YANG, Y., LI, H., LIAO, Z. and AXINTE, D., 2019. A curious observation of phenomena occurring during lapping/polishing processes: Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences. 475(2230),
• MA, NAN, DONG, XIN, PALMER, DAVID, ARREGUIN, JOSUE CAMACHO, LIAO, ZHIRONG, WANG, MINGFENG and AXINTE, DRAGOS, 2019. Parametric vibration analysis and validation for a novel portable hexapod machine tool attached to surfaces with unequal stiffness JOURNAL OF MANUFACTURING PROCESSES. 47, 192-201
• LIAO, Z., AXINTE, D., MIESZALA, M., M'SAOUBI, R., ABELHAFEEZ, A., MICHLER, J. and HARDY, M., 2018. On the influence of gamma prime upon machining of advanced nickel based superalloy: CIRP Annals CIRP Annals.
• LUO, MING, LUO, HUAN, AXINTE, DRAGOS, LIU, DONGSHENG, MEI, JIAWEI and LIAO, ZHIRONG, 2018. A wireless instrumented milling cutter system with embedded PVDF sensors MECHANICAL SYSTEMS AND SIGNAL PROCESSING. 110, 556-568
• LIAO, Z., AXINTE, D. A. and GAO, D., 2017. A novel cutting tool design to avoid surface damage in bone machining: International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture. 116, 52-59
• LIAO, Z. and AXINTE, D. A., 2016. On monitoring chip formation, penetration depth and cutting malfunctions in bone micro-drilling via acoustic emission: Journal of Materials Processing Technology Journal of Materials Processing Technology. 229, 82-93
• LIAO, Z. and AXINTE, D. A., 2016. On chip formation mechanism in orthogonal cutting of bone: International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture. 102, 41-55
• LIAO, ZHIRONG, GAO, DONG, LU, YONG and LV, ZEKUN, 2016. Multi-scale hybrid HMM for tool wear condition monitoring INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY. 84(9-12), 2437-2448
• GAO, DONG, LIAO, ZHIRONG, LV, ZEKUN and LU, YONG, 2015. Multi-scale statistical signal processing of cutting force in cutting tool condition monitoring INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY. 80(9-12), 1843-1853