Academic Staff

PhD (CUHK), MSc (NU), BEng (ZZU)

Short Description

Dr Wanrui Zhang is currently a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering (AAE) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Before joining AAE, he served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). He received his BEng in Engineering Mechanics from Zhengzhou University in 2017, his MSc in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University (Evanston) in 2020, and his PhD in Mechanical and Automation Engineering from CUHK in 2025. Dr Zhang’s research interests focus on the durability and reliability of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and its structures.

Area of Specialisation

• Environmental Degradation of CFRPs
• Development of Impact-resistant Composites
• Multifunctional Composites
• Composite Manufacturing
• Finite Element Analysis

Recruitment

Dr Zhang is currently seeking a research assistant in 2026 to work on composite manufacturing, composite tests, finite element analysis, and related areas. Please send your CV to wanrui.zhang@polyu.edu.hk if you are interested.

Selected Journal Publications

1. Wanrui Zhang, Jianchao Zou, Meiyu Liu, Zhibin Han, Yifeng Xiong, Biao Liang, Ning Hu & Weizhao Zhang. Investigating the role of fibre-matrix interfacial degradation on the ageing process of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer under hydrothermal conditions. Composites Science and Technology, 2025, 259: 110922.
   
   
2. Wanrui Zhang, Jianchao Zou, Zongyou Wei, Zhibin Han, Lei Yang, & Weizhao Zhang. Modifying stacking sequences to leverage the effects of shear thickening gel (STG) on the impact resistance of the STG applied carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (SACFRP) composite laminates. Composites Science and Technology, 2025: 111414.
   
   
3. Jianchao Zou, Wanrui Zhang, Zhenhao Liao, Yan Shen, Zhibin Han, Lei Yang, & Weizhao Zhang. Development of shear-thickening-gel applied carbon fiber reinforced polymer (SACFRP) with enhanced low-velocity impact resistance. Composites Science and Technology, 2025: 111464.
   
   
4. Wanrui Zhang, Meiyu Liu, Jianchao Zou, Zhibin Han, Yifeng Xiong, Biao Liang, & Weizhao Zhang. Experimental characterization and numerical prediction for mechanical aging of epoxy and its carbon fiber-reinforced composite under hydrothermal conditions. Polymer Composites, 2024, 45(12): 11342-11356.
   
   
5. Wanrui Zhang, M.Erfan Kazemi, Behrouz Arab, & Weizhao Zhang. Ageing of carbon fibre-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) under hygro-thermal-salt conditions. Journal of Composite Materials, 2025, 59(30): 3367-3379.
   
   
6. Wanrui Zhang, Jianchao Zou, Zijing Hong, Lei Yang, & Weizhao Zhang. Manufacturing shear-thickening-gel applied carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (SACFRP) with high toughness and enhanced impact-resistant performance. Manufacturing Letters, 2025, 44: 358-363.