Overview
Background
Professor Mingxing Zhang’s research interests are in the additive manufactruring of metals and MAX phase mateirals, high entropy alloys, new alloy design through machine learning and application of crystallography to engineering materials, surface engineering of metals, and grain refinement for cast metals.
Prof Zhang is a world leader in the area of crystallography of phase transformations and its applications in engineering materials, and is recognised as one of the top researchers in the areas of phase transformations, grain refinement for cast metals, additive manufacturing of metals, and surface engineering.
Prof Zhang obtained his Bachelor of Engineering from the Inner Mongolian University of Science and Technology and Master of Engineering from Northwestern Polytechnical University, China. In 1997 he was awarded his PhD degree by The University of Queensland. His research expertise and interests include crystallography of phase transformations, grain refinement and alloy development of aluminum and magnesium alloys, surface modification and coatings, bainitic transformation and bainitic steels.
Prof Zhang’s research hopes are to apply his fundamental research results to develop new generation metallic materials and to improve the current materials processing techniques. His research outcomes will also offer materials scientists a totally new way to undertake surface treatment for metallic materials, therefore to significantly improve the surface durability of this type of materials. For example, the recently developed new packed powder diffusion coating technique for titanium alloys will enable the replacement of the highly costive superalloys with Ti alloys. The research also hopes to enhance Australia’s competitive ability in international markets in light metals and contribute significantly to material science with the study of the mechanism of phase transformations in solids.
Availability
- Professor Mingxing Zhang is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Engineering, Institution to be confirmed
- Masters (Coursework) of Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Crystallography of phase transformations in solids
Understanding of the crystallography of phase transformation will leads design more effective materials processing techniques and therefore to produce higher quality materials.
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Additive manufacturing of metals
Additive manufacturing is one of the most advanced manufacturing technologies with advantages of high design freedom, short lead time and direct manufacturing of parts from digital files. But, not all engineering alloys can be additively manufactured at this stage. Prof Mingxing Zhang's research aims to design and develop new alloys that suit for additive manufacturing and to modify or inoculating the currently commercial available alloys so that they can be additively manufactured.
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High entropy alloys
High entropy alloy is a relatively new member in the family of the metallic materials with extraordinary mechanical, physical and chemical properties. But, the currently available high entropy alloys are very expensive due to use of high cost metals such as Co and Ta. Prof Mingxing Zhang's group aims to develop new and cost-effective high entropy alloys with the new design strategy to achieve properties that cannot be achieved in common engineering alloys
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Design of new alloys through machine learning
Currently, there are around 65000 commercial alloys used in engineering. But, engineers still face challenge to select right alloys to fulfil a specific application, particularly for the extreme conditions. Hence, researchers and engineers have never been stopping to design new alloys. But, this is not a simple work because there are trillions possibilities in terms of the combination of chemical combinations with processes. Previously used trial-and-error approach will not work. Our research aims to exploit the potencies and design new alloys using the advanced machine learning technique based on the truth of current alloys followed by experimental verifications.
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MAX phase compound materials
MAX phase compounds (MPCs) are lightweight materials that have both metallic and ceramic characteristics. In addition to their functional performance as magnetic, optoelectronic, radiation-resistant, and electrocatalytic materials, MPC materials are also associated with high corrosion and oxidization resistance at high temperatures, cracking self-healing performance, good thermal and electrical conductivity and high mechanical properties. Hence, MPCs have also been considered as emerging advanced materials for engineering applications at special and extreme conditions, such as high temperature, high pressure and corrosion and oxidization environments, in aerospace, nuclear, defence, electrical and other industrial sectors. However, it is currently difficult to produce large quantities of MAX materials and parts using conventional manufacturing processes. Our research aims to in-situ fabrication of MPC parts through additive manufacturing approach using proper powder mixture and processing control.
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Grain refinement of cast metals
The research focuses on seeking new grain refiners for cast metals based on fundamental research results and to refine the as cast grain size, and to improve the properties of cast metals
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Surface treatment of metallic materials
The research aims at developing new surface treatment techniques and/or modify the current techniques in order to effectively imporve the surface properties of metal components.
Works
Search Professor Mingxing Zhang’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
A new route to bulk nanostructured multiphase alloys with ultrahigh hardness
Yin, Yu, Wang, Hao, Tan, Qiyang, Sun, Qiang, Wu, Yueqin, Xu, Shengduo, Zhao, Yitian, Li, Meng, Liao, Xiaozhou, Huang, Han and Zhang, Mingxing (2025). A new route to bulk nanostructured multiphase alloys with ultrahigh hardness. Journal of Materials Science and Technology, 210, 151-158. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2024.05.051
2025
Journal Article
A self-optimized alloy with multi-scale hierarchical microstructure and enhanced mechanical properties
Yin, Yu, Chen, Hansheng, Deng, Guanyu, Su, Lihong, Wu, Wenxuan, Yan, Ming, Dong, Yangping, Xu, Xin, Deng, Zhikai, Tan, Qiyang, Chang, Haiwei, Guo, Chuan, Li, Huijun, Ringer, Simon, Huang, Han and Zhang, Mingxing (2025). A self-optimized alloy with multi-scale hierarchical microstructure and enhanced mechanical properties. Materials and Design, 250 113620. doi: 10.1016/j.matdes.2025.113620
2024
Journal Article
High performance plain carbon steels obtained through 3D-printing
Tan, Qiyang, Chang, Haiwei, Liang, Guofang, Luzin, Vladimir, Yin, Yu, Wang, Fanshuo, Cheng, Xing, Yan, Ming, Zhu, Qiang, Hutchinson, Christopher and Zhang, Ming-Xing (2024). High performance plain carbon steels obtained through 3D-printing. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 10077, 1-11. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-54507-4
2024
Journal Article
Investigation of age-hardening behaviour of Al alloys via feature screening-assisted machine learning
Hu, Mingwei, Tan, Qiyang, Knibbe, Ruth, Jiang, Bin, Li, Xue and Zhang, Ming-Xing (2024). Investigation of age-hardening behaviour of Al alloys via feature screening-assisted machine learning. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 916 147381, 147381. doi: 10.1016/j.msea.2024.147381
2024
Journal Article
Determining the Necessity of Post‐Processing Heat Treatment for the 316L Stainless Steel Manufactured by Laser Powder Bed Fusion through Evaluation of Mechanical and Corrosion Properties
Karan, Baibhav, Vadani, Malar, Muralishankar, Prashanth, Moheimani, Kiomars, Bhowmik, Ayan and Zhang, Mingxing (2024). Determining the Necessity of Post‐Processing Heat Treatment for the 316L Stainless Steel Manufactured by Laser Powder Bed Fusion through Evaluation of Mechanical and Corrosion Properties. Advanced Engineering Materials. doi: 10.1002/adem.202401442
2024
Journal Article
Additive manufacturing of high-strength low-alloy AISI 4340 steel with an optimal strength-ductility-toughness trade-off
Yao, Ju, Tan, Qiyang, Venezuela, Jeffrey, Atrens, Andrej and Zhang, Ming-Xing (2024). Additive manufacturing of high-strength low-alloy AISI 4340 steel with an optimal strength-ductility-toughness trade-off. Additive Manufacturing, 94 104496, 104496. doi: 10.1016/j.addma.2024.104496
2024
Journal Article
Designing unique and high-performance Al alloys via machine learning: mitigating data bias through active learning
Hu, Mingwei, Tan, Qiyang, Knibbe, Ruth, Xu, Miao, Liang, Guofang, Zhou, Jianxin, Xu, Jun, Jiang, Bin, Li, Xue, Ramajayam, Mahendra, Dorin, Thomas and Zhang, Ming-Xing (2024). Designing unique and high-performance Al alloys via machine learning: mitigating data bias through active learning. Computational Materials Science, 244 113204, 113204. doi: 10.1016/j.commatsci.2024.113204
2024
Journal Article
Refinement of cast microstructure of A517 steel by addition of TiB2
Liang, Guo-fang, Liu, Yin-gang, Yang, Xian-liang, Tan, Qi-yang, Wu, Tao, Wang, Jian-jun, Atrens, Andrej, Tian, Zhi-qiang and Zhang, Ming-xing (2024). Refinement of cast microstructure of A517 steel by addition of TiB2. Journal of Iron and Steel Research International, 31 (11), 2815-2827. doi: 10.1007/s42243-024-01248-9
2024
Journal Article
Novel Dual‐Emission Emitters Featuring Phenothiazine‐S‐Oxide and Phenothiazine‐S,S‐Dioxide Motifs
Zhang, Ming-Xing, Yang, Xiaofei, Tan, Fen, Zhang, Hongquan, Xu, Ningning, Zeng, Guoping, Xu, Zhiqiang and Liu, Shenghua (2024). Novel Dual‐Emission Emitters Featuring Phenothiazine‐S‐Oxide and Phenothiazine‐S,S‐Dioxide Motifs. Chemistry – An Asian Journal, 19 (15). doi: 10.1002/asia.202400195
2024
Journal Article
Hot compressive deformation of W-modified FeCr2V-based medium entropy alloys: Microstructure and strengthening mechanism studies
Wang, Yangfan, Wang, Zhiyang, Zhu, Hanliang, Qiu, Zhijun, Pan, Zengxi, Zhu, Hongtao, Wexler, David, Chen, Xizhang, Zhang, Mingxing and Li, Huijun (2024). Hot compressive deformation of W-modified FeCr2V-based medium entropy alloys: Microstructure and strengthening mechanism studies. Materials Characterization, 210 113803, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.matchar.2024.113803
2024
Journal Article
Recent advances in inoculation treatment for powder-based additive manufacturing of aluminium alloys
Tan, Qiyang and Zhang, Mingxing (2024). Recent advances in inoculation treatment for powder-based additive manufacturing of aluminium alloys. Materials Science and Engineering R: Reports, 158 100773. doi: 10.1016/j.mser.2024.100773
2024
Journal Article
Manufacturing of high strength and high conductivity copper with laser powder bed fusion
Liu, Yingang, Zhang, Jingqi, Niu, Ranming, Bayat, Mohamad, Zhou, Ying, Yin, Yu, Tan, Qiyang, Liu, Shiyang, Hattel, Jesper Henri, Li, Miaoquan, Huang, Xiaoxu, Cairney, Julie, Chen, Yi-Sheng, Easton, Mark, Hutchinson, Christopher and Zhang, Ming-Xing (2024). Manufacturing of high strength and high conductivity copper with laser powder bed fusion. Nature Communications, 15 (1) 1283, 1-9. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-45732-y
2024
Journal Article
Additively manufactured fine-grained ultrahigh-strength bulk aluminum alloys with nanostructured strengthening defects
Li, Gan, Zhao, Chunlu, Huang, Yuhe, Tan, Qiyang, Hou, Junhua, He, Xi, Guo, Chuan, Lu, Wenjun, Zhou, Lin, Liu, Sida, Zhang, Lei, Chen, Xuliang, Li, Xinggang, Li, Ying, Luan, Junhua, Li, Zhenmin, Mao, Xinping, Zhang, Ming-Xing, Zhu, Qiang and Lu, Jian (2024). Additively manufactured fine-grained ultrahigh-strength bulk aluminum alloys with nanostructured strengthening defects. Materials Today, 76, 40-51. doi: 10.1016/j.mattod.2024.05.006
2023
Journal Article
Recent applications of machine learning in alloy design: a review
Hu, Mingwei, Tan, Qiyang, Knibbe, Ruth, Xu, Miao, Jiang, Bin, Wang, Sen, Li, Xue and Zhang, Ming-Xing (2023). Recent applications of machine learning in alloy design: a review. Materials Science and Engineering: R: Reports, 155 100746, 100746. doi: 10.1016/j.mser.2023.100746
2023
Journal Article
Recent research progress in hydrogen embrittlement of additively manufactured metals – a review
Yao, Ju, Tan, Qiyang, Venezuela, Jeffrey, Atrens, Andrej and Zhang, Ming-Xing (2023). Recent research progress in hydrogen embrittlement of additively manufactured metals – a review. Current Opinion in Solid State and Materials Science, 27 (5) 101106, 101106. doi: 10.1016/j.cossms.2023.101106
2023
Journal Article
Unravelling the roles of TiN-nanoparticle inoculant in additively manufactured 316 stainless steel
Tan, Qiyang, Chang, Haiwei, Lindwall, Greta, Li, Erlei, Durga, A., Liang, Guofang, Yin, Yu, Wang, Geoff and Zhang, Ming-Xing (2023). Unravelling the roles of TiN-nanoparticle inoculant in additively manufactured 316 stainless steel. Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 175, 153-169. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2023.08.018
2023
Journal Article
Comparison of the grain-refining efficiencies of Ti and LaB6 inoculants in additively manufactured 2024 aluminum alloy: the important role of solutes
Tan, Qiyang, Yin, Yu and Zhang, Ming-Xing (2023). Comparison of the grain-refining efficiencies of Ti and LaB6 inoculants in additively manufactured 2024 aluminum alloy: the important role of solutes. Metals, 13 (8) 1490, 1490. doi: 10.3390/met13081490
2023
Journal Article
Cost-effective and facile route to ultrafine-microstructure high-entropy alloy for cryogenic applications
Yin, Yu, Tan, Qiyang, Yang, Nan, Chen, Xingrui, Ren, Wangrui, Liu, Lei, Chen, Houwen, Atrens, Andrej, Ma, Ninshu, Huang, Han and Zhang, Ming-Xing (2023). Cost-effective and facile route to ultrafine-microstructure high-entropy alloy for cryogenic applications. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 881 145408, 145408. doi: 10.1016/j.msea.2023.145408
2023
Journal Article
Tungsten doping enhances the mechanical properties of FeCr2V-based medium entropy alloy revealed by experiments and calculations
Wang, Yangfan, Wang, Zhiyang, Hobhaydar, Arman, Qiu, Zhijun, Dong, Bosheng, Gu, Qinfen, Pan, Zengxi, Wexler, David, Zhu, Hanliang, Chen, Xizhang, Zhang, Mingxing and Li, Huijun (2023). Tungsten doping enhances the mechanical properties of FeCr2V-based medium entropy alloy revealed by experiments and calculations. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 940 168861. doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2023.168861
2023
Journal Article
Tailoring microstructure and mechanical properties of β-solidifying TiAl alloy fabricated by laser-engineered net shaping through heat treatment
Huang, Danni, Yao, Xiyu, Zhou, Yinghao, Zhu, Qiang, Tang, Yaxin, Huang, Han, Zhang, Ming-Xing and Yan, Ming (2023). Tailoring microstructure and mechanical properties of β-solidifying TiAl alloy fabricated by laser-engineered net shaping through heat treatment. Additive Manufacturing, 67 103502, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.addma.2023.103502
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Mingxing Zhang is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Development of new cost-effective cast irons for metallurgy processing
Develop new cost-effective cast irons to achieve the same or better grinding results.
(This project is for both demestic and interntional applicants)
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Identify the mechanochemistry of chromium steel grinding media
Chromium steel grinding media have been widely used in different fields for size reduction. In this project, the chemical reactions trigged by the impact and abrasion of chromium steel grinding media and the subsequent modification of solid surface properties will be investigated.
(This project is for domestic applicants only)
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of 3D printed Metal Scaffold to enhance bone in-growth
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Justin Cooper-White
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Doctor Philosophy
Additive manufacturing of H13 steel
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ruth Knibbe, Dr Qiyang Tan
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Doctor Philosophy
Fabrication of crack-free novel Ni-based superalloys by additive manufacturing
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Additive Manufacturing of High Entropy Alloys
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Qiyang Tan
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Doctor Philosophy
Design of New Wrought Aluminium Alloys with Improved Performance Assisted by Machine Learning
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ruth Knibbe, Dr Qiyang Tan
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Doctor Philosophy
Advanced high strength 316L-TiN steel composites using selective laser melting
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Additive manufacturing of MAX Phase parts for applications in extreme environments
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Qiyang Tan
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Doctor Philosophy
Hydrogen embrittlement of additively manufactured advanced structural materials
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Andrej Atrens, Dr Qiyang Tan, Dr Jeffrey Venezuela
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Doctor Philosophy
Laser additive manufacturing of iron and its alloys
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Qiyang Tan
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Doctor Philosophy
Selective Surface Oxidation in Differential Particle Separation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yongjun Peng
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Design of New Wrought Aluminium Alloys with Improved Performance Assisted by Machine Learning
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ruth Knibbe, Dr Qiyang Tan
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Novel Approaches to Microstructural improvements of Austenitic Manganese Steel
Principal Advisor
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Novel approaches to improve the mechanical properties of a high-strength low-alloy steel
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Andrej Atrens
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Modification of primary carbides in a hypereutectic high chromium cast iron
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jeff Chang
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Development of cost-effective high-entropy alloys with superior mechanical properties
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Michael Bermingham
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Design and Tailoring of Additively Manufactured Titanium and Titanium Alloys by Laser Powder Bed Fusion
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Matthew Dargusch
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Development of new creep-resistant magnesium alloys with low cost
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Michael Bermingham
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Influence of trace addition of Be on the oxidation behaviour of Mg alloys
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Andrej Atrens
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
A Microstructural and Kinetic Study of Molten Aluminium Oxidation in Relation to Dross Formation
Principal Advisor
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Role of the peritectics in grain refinement of cast aluminium alloys
Principal Advisor
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Bonding mechanism of cold sprayed Al and Al-Al2O3 composite coatings on Mg alloy
Principal Advisor
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Development of Novel Surface Coating Techniques for Titanium Alloys
Principal Advisor
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2010
Doctor Philosophy
Surface Nanocrystallization and Surface Alloying of Aluminium Alloys
Principal Advisor
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
The discharge performance of advanced Mg-based alloys for Mg-air battery
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Andrej Atrens
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Hydrogen Embrittlement of Advanced High Strength Steels for Auto Applications
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jeffrey Venezuela, Emeritus Professor Andrej Atrens
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Inhibition of Bubble Coalescence and Improvement of Froth Flotation Using Acoustic Sound
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hangil Park, Associate Professor Liguang Wang
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation of starches as depressant in the flotation separation of hematite from quartz
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Liguang Wang
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Coal flotation using oscillatory air supply
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Liguang Wang
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Grain refinement of ferritic structural steel
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Geoff Wang
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Influence of hydrogen on some DP, Q&P and TWIP grades of advanced high strength steels for auto construction
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Andrej Atrens
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
The Influence of Hydrogen on MS980, MS1180, MS1300 and MS1500 Martensitic Advanced High Strength Steels Used for Automotive Applications
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Andrej Atrens
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
A study of frother chemistry and froth behaviour in coal flotation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Liguang Wang
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Mingxing Zhang directly for media enquiries about:
- Biomaterials
- Cast metals
- Crystallography - metals
- Light metals -surface treatment
- Metallic materials
- Metallurgy
- Metals - grain refinement
- Metals - surface treatment
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