Prof. Richard (Chunhui) Yang
Western Sydney University, Australia

Prof Richard Yang is an internationally recognised research leader on fields of research include Advanced Manufacturing, Additive Manufacturing (3D printing) of concrete, metals, polymers and composites, Advanced Engineering Materials & Structures, Circular Manufacturing & Circular Economy, Defence Technology, Industry 4.0, Machine Condition Monitoring (MCM) & Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), Metal Forming, Metal Surface Treatment, etc. He has been awarded over $15m in competitive research grants, including 13 ARC grants (1 ARC Training Centre, 3 DPs, 3 Linkages, and 6 LIEFs), 2 CSIRO/NSF Convergence Accelerator Program Projects on recycled plastic waste as well as more than 30 from government and/or industry. As for scientific publication, he has more than 300 high-quality technical publications in top scientific journals, books, and conferences as a major contributor in his relevant fields of research across Mechanical, Mechatronic, Manufacturing, Materials, Aerospace, Civil, Defence, etc. As for external services, he is serving as assessor for ARC, editor board member, conference committee member, reviewer of international journals and conferences, examiner for Master and PhD thesis, etc. He is Editor-in-Chief of 2 scientific journals, Associate Editor of 2, and on the Editorial Board of 5. He has been on the ANSHM Executive and the Editor of ANSHM Newsletter since 2016.

Speech Title: Upcycling Polymer Materials using Innovative 3d Printing Technology

Abstract: The white pollution is one of the biggest challenges to the world. Plastic recycling is a pressing global environmental issue; with a staggering 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic produced since 1950. Only 9% of this plastic waste has been recycled, while the remaining 80% ends up in landfills, oceans, and other water bodies. Additive manufacturing technology, also widely known as 3D printing technology, offers a promising innovative and circular solution to reuse, recycle and repurpose thermoplastic waste. By utilising this innovative technology, the recycled thermoplastic materials can be reused, which leads to streamlined production, waste reduction, and improved sustainability and circularity.

This study aims to reuse recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) and glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (rPETG) thermoplastics with fused granulate fabrication (FGF) as a novel additive manufacturing technique. It focuses on the effects of FGF printing parameters on material properties and mechanical behaviours of FGF-printed rPET and rPETG materials, which are fabricated using a GigaBot X FGF printer from Re:3D, USA. The design of experiments (DOE) is performed considering main FGF printing parameters, e.g., layer thickness, infill density and number of contours. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is used to observe fracture morphology and chemical structure of post-FGF-printed materials. Finite element-based multiscale modelling of FGF-printed materials is developed considering intrinsic structure to predict their mechanical behaviours. Investigations are then carried out to study effects of these key FGF printing parameters on material properties of FGF-printed materials. The study demonstrates the potential of rPET and rPETG as sustainable alternatives to virgin materials and provides insights into optimal processing conditions for achieving high-quality FGF-printed recycled thermoplastic materials.
 

  

Prof. Henry Hu
University of Windsor, Canada

Dr. Hongfa (Henry) Hu is a tenured full Professor at Department of Mechanical, Automotive & Materials Engineering, University of Windsor. He was a senior research engineer at Ryobi Die Casting (USA), and a Chief Metallurgist at Meridian Technologies, and a Research Scientist at Institute of Magnesium Technology. He received degrees from University of Toronto (Ph.D., 1996), University of Windsor (M.A.Sc., 1991), and Shanghai University of Technology (B.A.Sc., 1985). He was a NSERC Industrial Research Fellow (1995-1997). His publications (over 200 papers) are in the area of magnesium alloys, composites, metal casting, computer modelling, and physical metallurgy. He was a Key Reader of the Board of Review of Metallurgical and Materials Transactions, a Committee Member of the Grant Evaluation Group for Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, National Science Foundation (USA) and Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly. He has served as a member or chairman of various committees for CIM-METSOC, AFS, and USCAR. His current research focuses on materials processing and evaluation of light alloys and composites. His recent fundamental research is focussed on transport phenomena and mechanisms of solidification, phase transformation and dissolution kinetics. His applied research has included development of magnesium automotive applications, cost-effective casting processes for novel composites, and control systems for casting processes. His work on light alloys and composites has attracted the attention of several automotive companies.

Speech Title: Influence of Corrosion on Mechanical Properties of PSMC Al Alloy A356 for Automotive Applications

Abstract: Aluminum alloy A356 was prepared by permanent steel mold casting (PSMC). To determine the influence of corrosion on the mechanical behavior and energy-absorption capability of the alloy, the as-cast PSMC A356 alloy was immersed in 3.5 and 10.0% corrosive solutions and mechanically tested. The results of tensile tests showed that the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), elongation (ef), modulus, tensile toughness and resilience of the as-cast alloy decreased from 182.84 MPa, 111.86 MPa, 2.5%, 65.03 GPa, 3.68 MJ/m3, and 96.20 kJ/m3 to 135.40 MPa, 68.27 MPa, 2.3%, 34.13 GPa, 2.34 MJ/m3, and 68.28 kJ/m3 for 3.5% solution, and 115.07 MPa, 60.36 MPa, 1.9%, 26.83 GPa, 1.67 MJ/m3, and 67.91 kJ/m3 for 10.0% solution. The corrosion caused significant degradation in strength, ductility, and resilience of the alloy, with more pronounced deterioration at higher corrosion concentration. The microstructure analyses with help of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) revealed that the presence of corrosion pits and the formation of corrosion products on the surface of the corroded alloy could promote the crack initiation and growth. These findings indicated that corrosion severely compromised the load-bearing capacity and elastic energy absorption of the alloy, highlighting the importance of corrosion control for maintaining long-term mechanical reliability in service environments.
 

  

Prof. Doo-Yeol Yoo
Yonsei University, South Korea

Doo-Yeol Yoo is a Professor in the Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering at Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea, and an Affiliate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. With over a decade of expertise in Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC), cement-free binders, CO₂-sequestering concrete, and multifunctional cementitious composites, he is internationally recognized as a leading researcher in these fields. His scholarly contributions have garnered more than 18,900 citations and an h-index of 74 (Scopus). He has published more than 310 peer-reviewed international journal papers, one book chapter, and holds 12 domestic patents related to construction materials and structural engineering. He has also led 29 competitive research projects, with total funding exceeding USD 4 million. His work includes eleven Highly Cited Papers (Web of Science) and thirteen highly cited and downloaded papers in Elsevier journals. Over the past decade, his research has achieved an average Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) of 2.53 (SciVal), demonstrating that his work is cited more than twice as often as the global average in his field. His impact is evidenced by numerous prestigious honors. He received the Wason Medal for Materials Research from the American Concrete Institute (ACI) in 2025, was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM, IOM3, UK) in 2026 and a Fellow of the International Association of Advanced Materials (FIAAM), and has been consistently listed among the World's Top 2% Scientists (Stanford University/Elsevier, 2021–2024), where he was further ranked 50th globally in the Building & Construction field by c-score (Elsevier). He is also the recipient of the Presidential Young Scientist Award of Korea and has been elected a member of the Young Korean Academy of Science and Technology (Y-KAST). His additional distinctions include the Editor of Distinction Award from Springer Nature (2025), the HYU Young Researcher Award (Hanyang University), the Best Paper Award from the International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials (Springer Nature), and the Ministerial Commendation from the Ministry of Education, Korea. Beyond his research achievements, he has actively contributed to the international research community, serving on the organizing and technical committees of several major conferences. He currently holds editorial roles as an Editor of the journal Developments in the Built Environment, Associate Editor of the Alexandria Engineering Journal, and as a member of the editorial boards of several leading journals, including Cement & Concrete Composites, Scientific Reports, and npj Materials Sustainability, among others..

Speech Title: Cement-Free Ultra-High-Performance Concrete: Calcium-Activated Low-Carbon Systems with Surface-Refined Fibers for Sustainable and Resilient Structures

Abstract: Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) offers exceptional mechanical properties but faces challenges including high costs, substantial CO₂ emissions, and issues related to fiber orientation. This keynote presents recent advances in developing more sustainable and high-performance UHPC systems. The presentation first examines the influence of fiber orientation on the mechanical behavior of UHPC using advanced 2D image analysis and 3D micro-CT scanning techniques, highlighting effective strategies for fiber alignment control. To improve sustainability, novel cementless UHPC systems activated by alkali and calcium-based materials were developed. In particular, calcium hydroxide-activated slag-based UHPC demonstrated superior compressive and tensile performance compared to conventional cement-based UHPC, while significantly reducing CO₂ emissions. Surface-refined steel fibers, treated through chemical and nano-coating methods, were introduced to achieve excellent strain-hardening and multiple-cracking behavior even at reduced fiber contents. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) analysis confirmed enhanced microcrack control and energy absorption. Finally, the structural application of the developed low-carbon UHPC is demonstrated through the retrofitting of reinforced concrete columns, showing substantial improvements in load-carrying capacity, toughness, and cover spalling resistance. This keynote emphasizes the potential of next-generation sustainable UHPC to meet both high-performance and environmental demands in future construction.
 

Invited speakers

  

  

  

  

Assoc. Prof. Hideaki Katogi
Jissen Women’s University, Japan

Dr. Hideaki Katogi received a degree of doctor of engineering from Shizuoka University (Ph.D., 2015). He is an associate professor at the Faculty of Human Environmental Sciences, Jissen Women's University. His research field is sustainable materials, fiber, and composite materials. Recent research article is “cellulose nanofiber-introduced continuous-ramie yarn-reinforced polylactic acid filament for 3D printing: novel fabrication process and mechanical properties”. He has received JCOM Award for Promising Researchers from JSMS Committee on Composite Materials, The Society of Material Science, Japan. He is Publicity Chair of International Conference on Building Materials and Materials Engineering. And he has served as a member of International Advisory Committee of International Conference on Green Composites. In addition, he served as a member of local committee of 13th Asian-Australasian Conference on Composite Materials.

 

Senior Lecturer Meor Iqram Bin Meor Ahmad
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia

Meor Iqram Meor Ahmad is a senior lecturer in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. He received his BEng degree in Mechanical and Materials Engineering from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 2013. In May 2015, he joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield, UK, as a PhD student and was awarded his PhD in May 2019. He is a committee member of the Instrumentation, Dynamics and Control of Engineering Systems (INDICES) and Sustainable Mobility and Railway Technology (SMaRT) Research Group at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. His current research interests include mathematical modelling of materials, structural integrity, fracture damage, condition-based monitoring, railway monitoring and assessment, crack growth, and creep failure.

 

Assoc. Prof. Aqib Mashood Khan
Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China

Dr. Aqib Mashood Khan is an Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (CMEE) of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA). He is mainly engaged in research in the fields of sustainable machining, metal additive subtractive manufacturing (MASM), and high-performance cutting technology. Currently, he is mainly engaged in mechanical manufacturing teaching and scientific research. He graduated in 2013 with a bachelor's degree from UET Taxila. He got is PhD in Mechanical manufacture and Automation from NUAA in 2019.
 

Assoc. Prof. Bodaghi Mahdi
Nottingham Trent University, UK

Mahdi Bodaghi is Associate Professor of Smart Materials & Manufacturing in the Department of Engineering at Nottingham Trent University. He is also the founder and director of the 4D Materials & Printing Lab that develops electro/magneto/thermo-responsive materials, resilient metamaterials, bio-composites, and 3D/4D printing technologies. His experience and research have led him to co-found the 4D Printing Society, to co-edit Elsevier book series-Smart Materials in Additive Manufacturing, and to launch 4D Printing Journal. His research has been disseminated through over 350 peer-reviewed papers in prestigious journals as well as the presentation at international conferences (Google Scholar, Citations: 15600, h-index: 71).

 

Assoc. Prof. Khurshid Alam (PhD MInstP CEng MIMechE)
Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman

Dr. Alam is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Sultan Qaboos University. He obtained his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Loughborough University in the UK and completed his graduate studies at the GIK Institute in Pakistan. He currently serves as the ABET coordinator for the department. His teaching and research interests span applied mechanics, biomechanics, materials characterization, and finite element modeling and analysis. Dr. Alam has held various academic positions at multiple universities and actively contributes to the organization of international workshops and conferences. He has published over 70 papers in internationally recognized journals and conference proceedings.

 

Asst. Prof. Ilenia Farina
University of Naples Parthenope, Italy

Ilenia Farina is Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering at the University of Naples Parthenope. She received her PhD in Energy Science and Engineering and her Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Naples “Parthenope”. Her research interests focus on materials science, low-carbon binders, and the recycling and valorization of waste materials. She has actively contributed to advancing sustainable construction through innovative approaches to utilizing industrial by-products and waste for environmentally friendly building materials. She participated in several R&D projects, including collaborative efforts on green construction technologies and circular economy initiatives. With an excellent track record of scientific publications, Dr. Farina has presented her work as an invited and keynote speaker at prestigious international conferences. She also serves as an editor and reviewer for several reputable scientific journals. She is the author of more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and international conference papers, reflecting her dedication to advancing the field of sustainable engineering.

 

Prof. Parvez Alam
The University of Edinburgh, UK

Dr Parvez Alam is a Reader in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Edinburgh, specialising in comparative biomechanics, biomimetic design, mechanical metamaterials, and composite engineering. His research examines a wide range of biological organisms from a structure–properties perspective, with a particular focus on how animals achieve mechanical efficiency, resilience, and multifunctionality through evolved material architectures. He applies these insights to the development of engineered materials, robotic systems, and mechanically intelligent structures. A distinctive strand of Dr Alam’s work explores necrobots, which repurpose biological structures to harness their intrinsic mechanical capabilities. This research sits alongside his broader investigations into animal biomechanics, fluid–structure interactions, and the translation of natural design rules into architected metamaterials and multi‑body mechanisms. Dr Alam is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM), where he also serves as Chair of the Natural Materials Technical Community. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB), a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE) and a Chartered Engineer (CEng), contributing additionally as a member of the IMechE E&SE Scotland Committee. He previously held a Senior Marie Curie Fellowship, during which he developed fatigue‑modelling frameworks for carbon‑fibre‑reinforced plastics in marine energy applications.

Speech Title: Necrobotics: Mechatronically Reanimating Nature’s Designs

Abstract: Necrobotics provides a rigorous framework for mechatronically reanimating biological structures to reveal evolved mechanical functions and translate them into engineering design. In this work, we examine various necrobotic systems derived from naturally deceased organisms, each offering distinct insights into biomechanics, actuation and structural optimisation. Examples include: a beetle exoskeleton capable of walking under substantial payloads demonstrates how exoskeletal architectures manage load, distribute stress and maintain gait stability at high payload-to-body-mass ratios, lizard endoskeleton reconfigured into a walking robot exposes the mechanics of vertebrate joint articulation, multi‑segment coordination and force transmission across a limb system, and platforms that utilise mechanical metastructures to rearticulate and control the joints of a disarticulated organism. Together, these systems act as ready‑made robotic mechanisms that expose the mechanical intelligence embedded in animal structures. The findings position necrobotics as a powerful experimental approach bridging comparative biomechanics, soft robotics and metamaterial design, offering new routes for engineering inspired by nature’s evolved architectures.
 

 

Assoc. Prof. Sara Lee Kit Yee
Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT), Malaysia

Ts. Dr. Sara Lee Kit Yee holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), and earned both her Master’s and PhD degrees from Universiti Malaya (UM). She is a registered Professional Engineer and ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer (ACPE) with the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), a Professional Technologist with the Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBOT), and a Chartered Engineer with the Engineering Council. She is also a member of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). She is currently serving in IEM as a council member, secretary and treasurer of the Mechanical Engineering Technical Division (METD). She is also a member of the Editorial Board for the IEM Journal. She has been invited to deliver talks at various universities in support of IEM’s membership initiatives. She has contributed to numerous conferences as a technical committee member, reviewer, and session chair. In addition, she has served as a panel judge, speaker, and moderator for technical talks and competitions organized by primary schools, universities, and industry bodies.

 

Dr. Kasin Ransikarbum
Ubonratchathani University, Thailand

Kasin Ransikarbum received the B.Eng. degree in Industrial Engineering from King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand, the M.S. degree with dual title in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from Pennsylvania State University, PA, USA, and the Ph.D. degree in Industrial Engineering from Clemson University, SC, USA. He was also a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for 3D Advanced Additive Manufacturing Technology Research, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea. Currently, he is working at the industrial engineering department, Ubon Ratchathani University, Thailand. He has published papers in a number of prestigious, peer-reviewed journals and book chapters, such as Journal of Manufacturing System, Expert System with Applications, International Journal of Production Research, and International Journal of Production Economics. His research interest includes emergency management, logistics and supply chain modeling, and manufacturing system and 3D printing.

Speech Title: Integrated Decision Support and Optimization for Production Planning in Additive Manufacturing

Abstract: Additive Manufacturing (AM), commonly known as Three-Dimensional Printing (3DP), is now widely adopted across industrial, academic, and personal applications. This presentation explores the developments in multi-criteria assessment methods for AM, focusing on how they help evaluate compromises between important production and operational criteria associated with printed components and manufacturing processes. Integrated multi-objective optimization and decision-making techniques offer effective Decision-Support System (DSS) for handling complex situations where several performance criteria must be considered at the same time. In the context of AM production planning, numerous factors connected to resource utilization and manufacturing efficiency must be balanced. At the same time, the performance of printed products may be analyzed through diverse properties, many of which may present conflicting requirements. Thus, this presentation covers a DSS framework designed for multi-objective evaluation in AM environments, covering challenges such as build orientation optimization, printer selection, and assigning parts to suitable printers. Finally, the talk concludes with practical insights, managerial implications, and key recommendations intended for both researchers and industry professionals.