Xiaowen Yuan | |
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Academic background | |
Alma mater | University of Auckland |
Thesis |
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Doctoral advisor | Debes Bhattacharyya |
Academic work | |
Institutions | Auckland University of Technology, Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, National University of Singapore |
Xiaowen Yuan is a New Zealand materials scientist, and is a full professor at the Auckland University of Technology, specialising in novel composite materials from natural materials for high performance uses, such as improving supercapacitor performance.
Yuan completed a PhD titled Plasma modification of natural fibres in polypropylene composites at the University of Auckland in 2002.[1] Yuan worked at the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, and was an adjunct professor at the National University of Singapore.[2] Yuan then joined the faculty of Massey University and later the Auckland University of Technology. She was promoted to full professor at AUT in 2024.[3] Yuan leads the Future Fibres Laboratory at AUT, and is a professor in the mechanical engineering department.[4][5]
Yuan's research focuses on novel composite materials, especially from natural materials such as gelatine, cellulose and collagen.[5] In 2018 Yuan received a Smart Ideas grant from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment worth just under $1 million, to research the use of harakeke (New Zealand flax) fibres to improve supercapacitor performance.[6] Supercapacitors are more sustainable alternatives to batteries, but are limited by electrode problems.[6] Yuan and her research team are also investigating the use of other plant and animal fibres such as industrial hemp and wool, in other high-performance uses, such as smart textiles and medical uses.[4] They research fibre production and processing, including fibre surface modification, through to product development.[4]