CityUHK scholar honoured with the 16th Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award for outstanding contributions to neutron scattering technology and materials engineering
Professor Wang Xunli, Chair Professor in the Department of Physics at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), has been awarded the 16th Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award by the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) in recognition of his outstanding research achievements in neutron scattering technology, material science and engineering, as well as his significant contributions to the development of world-leading neutron scattering instrumentation.
Established in 1996, the Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award is a prestigious national biennial award that honours Chinese engineering experts and scientists who have made outstanding achievements and significant contributions to engineering science, technology and engineering management. This year, 40 engineering experts and scientists received the award. Professor Wang is one of three awardees from institutions in Hong Kong.
Professor Wang has devoted his career to applying neutron scattering techniques to research in materials science and engineering. By leveraging advanced neutron scattering technology, he has uncovered the phase transformation and deformation mechanisms of complex materials, including metallic glasses and high-entropy alloys, providing important theoretical foundations for the design of advanced materials and high-end manufacturing. He has also made outstanding contributions to the development and application of China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS), by initiating the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Neutron Scattering Laboratory and the Chinese Academy of Sciences–Hong Kong Joint Laboratory on Neutron Scattering Science and Technology. As Chief Scientist, he led the development of the first user collaborative instrument, i.e., the Multi-Physics Instrument, at CSNS, helping establish the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a world-leading centre for neutron science and technology.
"I am deeply honoured to receive the Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award,” said Professor Wang. “This award recognises both my individual contributions and the dedication and perseverance of my research team and collaborators over the years. I am sincerely grateful to CityUHK for its unwavering support of research and innovation, which has enabled us to pursue breakthroughs in materials science and neutron scattering technology while working closely with CSNS. Looking ahead, I hope to continue advancing neutron scattering technology, nurturing the next generation of researchers, and helping Hong Kong to become an international innovation and technology centre."
Professor Wang joined CityUHK in 2012 and is currently Chair Professor in the Department of Physics. He has been committed to advancing neutron scattering research in Hong Kong by fostering collaborations between Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland and the international research community. Through the establishment of cross-regional research platforms, he has strengthened Hong Kong's global standing in neutron scattering and advanced materials research.
Professor Wang's research achievements have received wide international recognition. He has received numerous prestigious honours, including the Second Class Award in the Natural Science category at the Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Science and Technology) from the Ministry of Education, the Croucher Senior Research Fellowship, and the Lee Hsun Lectureship Award from the Institute of Metal Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is also a Fellow of the American Physical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Neutron Scattering Society of America.