Mr Desmond Li
Expertise
I research lightweight composite materials for stronger, damage-resistant, and sustainable structures, advancing the safety and efficiency of the aerospace industry.
Current positions
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Biography
I completed a BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering at the City University of Hong Kong, with an exchange semester at New York University. After that, I obtained an MSc in Space Systems Engineering at the University of Southampton. Both my undergraduate and master's projects involved the manufacturing and testing of composites.
In my undergraduate thesis, I explored the incorporation of sustainable bamboo fibres into Kevlar, carbon, and E-glass fibre to create a hybrid reinforced composite for aerospace applications.
For my master's research, I investigated the structural optimisation of honeycomb sandwich panel insert using additive manufacturing techniques for spacecraft structures. This project involved comprehensive design, modelling, and experimental validation, significantly improving the pull-out load of the insert.
These experiences have solidified my passion for advancing composite materials and their applications, particularly in sustainability and aerospace engineering.
Research interests
Desmond's research interests focus on advancing the design and damage tolerance of lightweight composite sandwich structures. Desmond aims to develop a multi-scale modeling framework to predict the load response, progressive damage, and failure behavior of these materials, with an emphasis on experimental methodologies that integrate advanced imaging techniques. By combining cutting-edge analysis tools and innovative design concepts, Desmond's work seeks to drive the development of efficient, damage-tolerant structures that support the achievement of Net-Zero sustainability goals.