Prof. LIN Jianguo, Associate Director of Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (RIAM) and Chair Professor of Materials Technologies, was recently featured in an interview with Phoenix TV, where he shared insights into the pioneering Hot Forming Quenching (HFQ®) technology he developed. The discussion highlighted Prof. Lin’s ground-breaking research in lightweight metal forming and its applications in the automotive, aerospace and railway industries.
Reflecting on his journey, Prof. Lin recalled that as early as 2002, he faced the significant challenge of forming the inner panel of an aluminium alloy car door in a single piece. The brittleness of the material made this task seem impossible using the technologies available at the time. After fourteen years of relentless effort, he ultimately achieved a breakthrough with the innovative HFQ® technology, enabling the efficient manufacture of complex, lightweight, and high-strength components. Prof. Lin emphasised that this technology not only effectively reduces costs and enhances design flexibility, but also brings substantial economic benefits to industry, such as saving billions of dollars in automotive development costs.
Prof. Lin further analysed the profound impact of this technology in the aviation and aerospace sectors, highlighting the importance of lightweight, high-strength light alloys in improving fuel efficiency and overall performance. He explained the challenges involved in forming such materials, and how precise control of the microstructure ensures optimal performance and durability. Prof. Lin further noted that computer simulation and artificial intelligence play a crucial role in digitising and preserving the experience of senior technicians, ensuring that innovation continues despite personnel changes. His international collaborations and industry partnerships have led to the establishment of multiple research centres and the successful transfer of HFQ® technology worldwide.
Finally, Prof. Lin shared his vision for the future of manufacturing and materials science upon coming to Hong Kong. He highlighted Hong Kong’s strong emphasis on scientific and applied research and the translation of scientific achievements, noting that micro-forming technology holds tremendous potential in the electronics and high-tech industries. Addressing the misconception that materials science is a “dead end”, Prof. Lin stressed that its wide-ranging applications open up diverse career opportunities, from research to finance. He advocates for interdisciplinary education and research, emphasising that modern scientific challenges require knowledge from multiple disciplines to be solved collaboratively.
Online coverage:
Phoenix TV - https://polyu.me/4qqtren; https://polyu.me/4p79M1I
| Research Units | Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing |
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