Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ma Lishi | Materials Science | Young Scientist Award
Kunming University of Science and Technology, China
Lishi Ma is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology. He specializes in the development and structural optimization of aluminum matrix composites reinforced with two-dimensional materials like boron nitride nanosheets. With a solid academic background and hands-on research experience, he focuses on tailoring microstructures and interfaces to enhance mechanical and thermal properties of advanced materials. Ma has authored multiple high-impact journal articles in Composites Part B, Journal of Materials Science & Technology, and Acta Materialia, contributing significantly to the understanding of interface-driven strengthening mechanisms. He actively participates in national research programs such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China. His work integrates theoretical analysis with experimental design to address material challenges in high-temperature applications. As a rising scholar in the field of materials science, he is committed to advancing composite technology for practical and industrial use.
Profile
Education
Dr. Lishi Ma earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science from Tianjin University (2018–2023), where his research focused on microstructural engineering of reinforced aluminum composites. He completed his Master’s degree in Materials Engineering at Kunming University of Science and Technology (2015–2018), where he developed fundamental expertise in composite material fabrication and performance assessment. His academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Materials Chemistry from Tangshan Normal University (2011–2015), where he laid the groundwork in chemistry and material synthesis. Throughout his educational path, Dr. Ma has cultivated strong competencies in nanomaterials synthesis, interface characterization, and advanced mechanical testing. His interdisciplinary training across chemistry, engineering, and materials science has equipped him with a comprehensive skill set to address complex challenges in composite development and application. The sequential depth and breadth of his education underpin his current academic role and research pursuits in thermally stable and mechanically robust nanocomposite systems.
Experience
Since August 2023, Dr. Lishi Ma has served as a Lecturer at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology. His responsibilities include conducting independent research, supervising student projects, and teaching core materials science courses. Previously, during his doctoral studies at Tianjin University, he participated in extensive research on aluminum matrix composites reinforced with 2D boron nitride nanosheets, collaborating with leading scientists in the field. He has been actively involved in multiple high-profile research projects, including a major NSFC-funded study. Dr. Ma has developed strong expertise in composite synthesis, microstructural characterization, and mechanical performance testing. His collaborative work has led to several impactful publications in international journals. As a lecturer, he brings both research excellence and pedagogical commitment, fostering the next generation of material scientists while contributing meaningfully to the field of structural composite materials for high-performance and high-temperature applications.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Lishi Ma has earned recognition for his contributions to materials science through several impactful research publications and participation in competitive national research grants. Notably, he is a key participant in an NSFC-funded project titled “Macro–micro structural regulation and reinforcement mechanism of heat-resistant aluminum matrix composites enhanced by 2D BN nanosheets,” granted 580,000 CNY and active from 2021 to 2024. His co-authored papers have been published in Q1 journals like Acta Materialia and Journal of Materials Science & Technology, highlighting his scholarly excellence. Though individual awards are not specified, his consistent authorship in top-tier publications and involvement in major funded research programs reflect his growing reputation in the field. His academic progression—from a strong undergraduate foundation to an impactful research and teaching role—further showcases his commitment and achievements in the domain of materials science, especially in interface engineering and the mechanical enhancement of nanostructured composites.
Research Focus
Dr. Lishi Ma’s research focuses on the development of advanced aluminum matrix composites reinforced with two-dimensional nanomaterials, such as hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanosheets. His work explores microstructural optimization and interfacial engineering strategies to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of metal matrix composites. He investigates coherent transition interface structures and intragranular reinforcement distributions to achieve a balance of strength and ductility, even under high-temperature conditions. His research integrates materials synthesis, structural design, and high-resolution characterization to decode deformation mechanisms and grain boundary behaviors. Recent studies include interface-dominated deformation in MAX-phase nanoflake-reinforced copper matrices and the development of architectured interfacial interlocking structures with graphene. His work is critical to applications demanding heat resistance, structural stability, and mechanical resilience. By combining experimental techniques with theoretical insight, Dr. Ma contributes significantly to composite material design and the broader field of functional nanostructured materials for extreme environments.
Conclusion
Dr. Lishi Ma exhibits a strong foundation for receiving the Young Scientist Award due to his rigorous academic training, publication in high-impact journals, and participation in national-level research. His work on 2D-reinforced metal matrix composites addresses critical challenges in structural materials and reflects both originality and technical depth. With continued focus on independent research development and expanded academic leadership, Dr. Ma is well-positioned to grow into a leading figure in advanced materials science. The award would not only recognize his achievements but also encourage further breakthroughs in his promising career.
Publication
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Title: Constructing the coherent transition interface structure for enhancing strength and ductility of hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets/Al composites
Year: 2023
Authors: Lishi Ma, Xiang Zhang*, Yonghua Duan, Siyuan Guo, Dongdong Zhao, Chunnian He*, Naiqin Zhao
Journal: Journal of Materials Science & Technology, Vol. 145, p. 235 -
Title: Achieving the strength-ductility balance of boron nitride nanosheets/Al composite by designing the synergistic transition interface and intragranular reinforcement distribution
Year: 2022
Authors: Lishi Ma, Xiang Zhang*, Bowen Pu, Dongdong Zhao, Chunnian He*, Naiqin Zhao
Journal: Composites Part B, Vol. 246, Article 110243 -
Title: Achieving exceptional high-temperature resistant Al matrix composites via two-dimensional BN pinning grain rotation
Year: 2023
Authors: Lishi Ma, Xiang Zhang*, Yonghua Duan, Hanwen Zhang, Ning Ma, Lin Zhu, Xudong Rong, Dongdong Zhao, Chunnian He*, Naiqin Zhao
Journal: Composites Part B, Vol. 253, Article 110570 -
Title: Investigations on the interface-dominated deformation mechanisms of two-dimensional MAX-phase Ti₃Al(Cu)C₂ nanoflakes reinforced copper matrix composites
Year: 2022
Authors: Xiang Zhang, Dongdong Zhao, Rongrong Shi, Shaoqiang Zhu, Lishi Ma, Chunnian He*, Naiqin Zhao
Journal: Acta Materialia, Vol. 240, Article 118363 -
Title: Architectured interfacial interlocking structure for enhancing mechanical properties of Al matrix composites reinforced with graphene nanosheets
Year: 2021
Authors: Lizhuang Yang, Baozeng Zhou, Lishi Ma, Guang Liu, Suyi Qian, Zhihang Xu, Enzuo Liu, Xiang Zhang*, Chunnian He*, Naiqin Zhao
Journal: Carbon, Vol. 183, p. 685