Dr Zhen Tong is a Senior Research Fellow in CPT and Head of its Ultra-Precision Manufacturing Group. He is responsible for managing CPT’s ultra-precision manufacturing lab. He has substantial experience in ultra-precision diamond turning (SPDT, FTS, STS), micromachining, diamond grinding, polishing and focused ion beam (FIB) nanofabrication, process modelling and control, and surface functionality. He is a Research Affiliate of the International Academy for Production Engineering (CIRP); an Associated Member of the International Committee for Abrasive Technology (ICAT); an Active Scientific Committee member of European Society for Precision Engineering & Nanotechnology (EUSPEN); a member of the International Society for Nanomanufacturing (ISNM); a group member of the UK FIB and EM sample Preparation group (FIB&Pre), and an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) of UK.

Dr Zhen Tong has a BEng degree in Material Moulding and Control System awarded in 2007, and a Master’s degree in Mechanical Manufacture and Automation awarded in 2010 from Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT). He moved to UK in 2011 after receiving the full scholarship of Scottish Overseas Research Students Awards (SORSAS) and James Watt Scholarship (JWS). He has a diversity of PhD research study experience in UK by studying/research in three world class universities including Heriot-Watt University (2011-2012), University of Huddersfield (2012-2013), and University of Strathclyde (2013-2014) where he received his PhD degree on Design, Manufacture and Engineering Management in Mar. 2015. He has involved in 3 EPSRC research projects (EP/P006930/1, EP/K018345/1 and EP/I033424/1) as a key researcher, with significant contribution to the fundamental study of ultra-precision diamond machining, development of novel surface structuring technology, and nano-characterization of machined surface integrity. This unique research experience has made him a matured and excellent scholar in both the ultra-precision manufacturing and surface metrology.

Teaching Experience

• 2013-2014 Approved Tutor for course of DM100, DM948, DMEM, University of Strathclyde, UK
• 2011-2012 Approved Tutor for courses of B58DB1, B59DF2 and B51GK, EPS, Heriot-Watt University, UK 
• 2009 - 2011 Teaching & Management Assistant, school of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), China.

His research work aims at the development of a system integrated design/manufacturing/measurement ultra-precision manufacturing chain for next generation high value-added products. His research focuses on the development of ultra-precision manufacturing technologies for freeform and structured surfaces (simulation, modelling, machining and performance) in conjunction with integration of on-machine measurement systems and surface functional applications.

Dr Zhen Tong and his research group have established expertise in ultra-precision machining, process modelling and data analysis, and surface functionality, as evidenced by more than 60 papers in peer-reviewed journals and international conferences, book chapters (Precision Manufacturing and Precision Machines), opening oral presentations on EUSPEN international conference, invited talks at top precision engineering research institutes and companies.

Since 2009, he has been involved in the following research projects as a key researcher: the projects of EPSRC’s Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Advanced Metrology (EP/I033424/1), EPSRC’s Miniature Flexible & Reconfigurable Manufacturing System for 3D Micro-products (EP/K018345/1), Sino-UK Higher Education Research Partnership for PhD Studies, and a National Funds for Distinguished Young Scholars of China (No.50925521).

Current Research Projects:

• A €5 million Horizon 2020 research grant for mass production of micro-structured surface, FOF-06-ProSurf-767589 , with 13 EU academic and industrial partners, 2018.01-2020.01 (Co-Investigator)
• UK's EPSRC National Strategic Equipment--Advanced Freeform Generator (£804k, EP/S033300/1, 2019.07-2020.09, Daily Manager and Main Co-Investigator)
• UK's STFC-IPS project on Transferring technology in optimised metal mirror fabrication (£450k, ST/V001280/1, 2020.09-2023.09, PI of Huddersfield Campus, lead diamond machining WP). 
• UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funding of the Future Metrology Hub (Grant Ref: EP/P006930/1) 2017-2024, (Key researcher, Platform 3)

Major Research Area:

• Micro-nanomanufacturing of functional freeform/structured surfaces;
• Embedded measurement and process control for ultra-precision machining;
• Advanced optics design, manufacture and application;
• Process modelling and data analysis
• R&D equipment for ultra-precision manufacturing.

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