Invited by Professor Binmeng Chen, Prof. Wei FAN (樊瑋) from Jiangnan University , China, visited IAPME on 07 Jan. 2026. Prof. Wei Fan, is now a Full Professor and PhD supervisor in School of Chemical and Material Engineering at Jiangnan University. Prof. Fan delivered a seminar titled “Polymer aerogel composites for thermal management”.
Her research focuses on aerogel composites, polymer-based nanocomposites and composites for thermal management. She has published over 90 research papers, which have been cited more than 7400 times (H-index = 51) according to Web of Science. She has been awarded Second Prize of Shanghai Natural Science in 2020. She serves as an editorial board member of Composites Science and Technology, and a youth editorial board member of Composites Communications and Advanced Nanocomposites.
Her talk focused on key scientific challenges in the formation methods, pore regulation, and mechanical enhancement of polymer aerogels. A dynamic sol-gel transition strategy is proposed, enabling the continuous and stable formation of polymer aerogel composites. By introducing nanoparticles for pore regulation and reinforcement, the pore forming mechanism and mechanical strengthening principles of nanocomposite aerogels are elucidated. Furthermore, flame retardant and thermally insulating polyimide aerogel composites meeting aviation standards are developed, and their potential application in aircraft cabin thermal insulation systems is explored. These advances provide both theoretical foundations and technical support for the development of new functional composite materials in the aerospace field.
During the visiting, Prof. Fan had a lab tour of IAPME and had close discussions with IAPME PhD students. She was also deep impressed by IAPME’s research facility and achievements.
