Materials Science and Engineering
(First-level discipline (Profession) Code:0805 Doctor degree in Engineering)
1. Educational objectives
The discipline is based on its international frontiers and national great demands, aiming at discovering and training high-level talents who can get engaged in the teaching, scientific research, design and administration in the field of materials or related engineering technologies. The academic degree gainers should be qualified with solid foundational theories, extensive professional knowledge and a broad international perspective. And also, they should be able to use a foreign language expertly. They are supposed to be familiar with foundational theories of the discipline and frontier trends of engineering technology development. Besides, the academic degree gainers are expected to possess the abilities of theoretical analysis, experimental study and solving interdisciplinary critical scientific issues and should pay attention to cultivating and practicing the sense of mission and the consciousness of responsibility and leading. What’s more, they need to be capable of getting engaged in scientific research which is related to the practical problems of the discipline or undertaking specialized engineering and technical work. The aim of the discipline is to cultivate high-level innovative and entrepreneurial talents.
2. Brief introduction to subject clots, specialties and research directions
This discipline was established in 1958. It was one of the first batches of master degree sections in China. Material Processing Engineering and Materials Science were approved for granting doctoral degree in 1984 and in 1993 respectively. The discipline of materials science and engineering was approved for establishing post-doctoral research station in 1992 and doctoral degree site of the first level discipline of materials science and engineering in 2001. It owns three doctoral degree sites with second level discipline, including material processing engineering, materials science, material physics and chemistry, and four independently doctoral degree sites with second level discipline, including material surface engineering, material joining technology, polymer materials, and nondestructive testing and evaluation of materials. The discipline of materials science and engineering became the first level key discipline of Liaoning province in 2008.
The discipline site owns one research innovation team of the ministry of education, one key laboratory of the ministry of education, three key laboratories of Liaoning province, one key laboratory of Liaoning province universities, and two technology research centers of Liaoning province. Material Test and Analysis Center of Dalian University of Technology ownsadvanced analysis equipments, including high resolution transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, electron microprobe, DSC differential thermal analyzer, X-ray diffractometer, fluorescence X-ray spectrometer, and superconducting high magnetic field. In 2006, the center was granted “Postgraduate Training Base of the Key Discipline Area in Liaoning Province Universities”.
Several key research directions have been established in this discipline, including Materials Modification by Plasma and Energetic Beams, Green Joining Technology and Equipment, Electromagnetic Casting of Non-Ferrous Alloys, Solar Photovoltaic Materials, Materials Design and Application, and Computer Application for Material Processing. In recent five years, the discipline has obtained 89 invention patents, commercialization of 40achievements, 2 second prizes of national technological invention, 16 first or second prize awardson the provincial and ministerial level, and 16 appraised achievements. “High Conductive Aluminum Alloy Material” was listed as designated products for “West-East Pipeline Project” and “Three Gorges Project”. “Material Electromagnetic Processing Technology” on the international leading level was appraised as national initiative. This technology has been involved in developing a new type of high conductive, high strength contact line, which has been applied in the high-speed rail from Beijing to Shanghai. The product of “Low Chromium Austenitic Stainless Steel Welding Material” was identified as national industry standard, and widely applied in domestic petrochemical enterprises. A number of domestic industrialization bases with Laser-argon arc welding technology of Magnesium alloys have been established. Polycrystalline silicon prepared from the metallurgical technology has been applied in a number of domestic enterprises. The poly-Si was listed as key product of national new material industrial during the 12th 5-year plan. Meanwhile, a demonstration base of solar energy photovoltaic system has been established. As chief executive unit, the discipline site is undertaking a 973 project of “Key scientific problems of nuclear main pump manufacture” to offer key technology to the manufacture of nuclear power products.
Main research directions and details:
1). Plasma and Beams Surface Modification of Materials
Advanced surface engineering technology is being increasingly important and indispensable to improve performance and prolong lifetime of key components in equipment for major industrial fields especially with harsh working conditions, such as applications in nuclear power plant, aerospace, naval vessels, etc. The research mainly includes the theory, processing methods and application research of low-temperature plasma surface modification; the theory and technical research of plasma enhanced physical and chemical vapor deposition; surface modification and shock processing based on energetic beams modification and pulse power techniques; non-detective testing of engineering surfaces and real-time evaluation technology to properties of new principles and its service process.
2). The green welding and joining technology and equipment
Based on the requirement of green welding and joining theory, technology and equipment in the field of national major projects and international frontier basic research, the following research directions are carried out: Laser induced-strengthened arc green welding theory, technology and equipment; High efficiency activating welding theory, technology and materials; High energy beam/adhesive hybrid joining theory and technology; Environmental friendly welding materials preparation and application; Interface design of dissimilar materials joining and the surface protection technology.
3). Nonferrous Alloy and its forming technology under physical field
Study the conveying and control of physical quantities during materials solidification and processing, and explore the effective and environmental preparative techniques of high-performance materials; Apply external fields, such as electro-magnetic field and ultrasonic field, to the study and preparation of materials to obtain high-performance aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys and copper alloys; Research the visualization of metallic alloy crystal in-situ growth under the interference of external fields; Research new techniques for multi-layer materials, preparation of ultra-light porous metal materials, laminated composite materials as well as the particle reinforced composites; Explore new techniques of high-purity materials preparations, and provide high-purity aluminum alloys and copper alloys for informational field, power transmission and transformation and high speed railways.
4). Solar Photovoltaic Materials
This research direction centers on the silicon materials that are considered necessary in photovoltaic industry as well as the core supporting materials utilized in silicon preparation process, which includes the research on basic science and application of photovoltaic materials represented by polycrystalline silicon, thermal field materials, coating materials and electrode materials. The main work focuses on the preparation mechanism of high purity silicon, the migration mechanism and removal behavior of impurities in silicon, thermal field simulation of melting and solidification process, and the properties of the required thermal field materials, crucible coating materials and electrode materials, etc.
5).Applications of computer technologies in materials processing
The computational simulation and modeling is conducted for materials processing, such as casting, forging, welding and heat treatment, to optimize the processing parameters and structural parameters of equipment. The simulation involves temperature, fluid flow, stress, solute and electromagnetic fields on macroscopic scale; grain nucleation and growing on mesoscopic scale; molecular dynamics and first principles on microscopic scale, and the on-line monitoring and visual, intelligent comprehensive controlling technology in the continuous casting process.
6). Strength and Reliability of Materials
Aimed at strength design and reliability evaluation of vital engineering equipment, the research of service condition, medium, and the regulations between tissue structure and properties of engineering equipment and component materials is carried out. And the academic research of deformation and damage behavior of materials, strength design and operational reliability has formed and been applied to engineering. The research topics includes: strength and deformation behavior of materials; creep, fatigue, fracture and life expectancyof high-temperaturematerials and components; corrosion and protection of metallic materials; failure analysis and reliability evaluation of materials.
7). Materials Design and Applications
The present project focuses on the compositional and structural design principles at the atomic scale, based on the ‘cluster-plus-glue-atom model’ which is the unique theory previously developed by us. Our investigation, in combination with materials calculation and experiments, aims at forming a world-famous research orientation being able to guide the research and development of a variety of materials such as engineering alloys, bio-alloys, information materials, thin film materials, solar energy materials, and hydrogen energy materials.Novel and special functional materials play a key role in the development of high technology industry. This research direction consists of preparation, microstructure characterization, assessment of functional properties, and basis theory and application for magnetic materials, piezoelectric materials, electromagnetic shielding materials, high temperature materials, biomedical materials, fuel cell materials, shape memory materials, stealth and absorbing materials, electronic packaging materials, etc. New ideas, new designs, and new process for functional materials are investigated and developed.Arc-discharge plasma acts as the core technology to prepare nanopowders of metals, alloys, graphene, silicon nanosheets, ceramics and “core/shell” type composites, etc. The surface modification, function and engineering on nanopowders are also developed.
3. Training methods
The training of PhD candidates is dominated by scientific research, with the emphases on improving the abilities of engaging in scientific research independently, working with a team, and innovating. The training of PhD candidates is based on supervisor-responsible system or tutor group-responsible system which is supervisor-centered. If it is necessary for research subjects, the doctoral supervisors can invite other doctoral supervisors from related discipline for assistance or recruit some younger specialiststo form a tutor group. Supervisors(tutor group) are responsible for the daily management of postgraduates, the training of academic responsibility and morality, the formulation and adjustment of postgraduate training program, the opening of subjects, mid-term examinations and the instruction of scientific research and dissertations, etc.
The course program for doctoral degree study is based on credit system and PhD candidates have to earn all the required credits before they apply for their dissertation defense.
4.Periodlimit of schooling
1). The basic length of schooling for non-directional PhD candidates is three to four years. The basic length of schooling for on-the-job PhD candidates(directional or training-trusted) is three to five years. The basic length of schooling for PhD candidates who skiptheir master period is five years, one year of course study included. The basic length of schooling for those who take a successive postgraduate and doctoral program or study for doctoral degree in advance is five to six years, two years of master period included.
2). The acceptably longest time for PhD degree application is six to eight years, which means it should be six to eight years from the enrollment day to the day when the academic degree committee of DUT discuss his or her dissertation, suspension of schooling included.
3). Within the period prescribed by basic length of schooling, PhD candidates are supposed to finish their dissertation defense and academic degree conferring examination.
For academically legitimate reasons, the longest time for PhD degree application can be elongated to six years with the prerequisites that: the PhD candidatesubmits the dissertation progress report and application report for deferment of dissertation to the academic degree evaluation sub-committee of the school within two months before the end of the basic length of schooling;the reports are examined and approved by the academic degree evaluation sub-committee and then examined and approved by the academic degree evaluation committee of DUT. For academically legitimate reasons once again, the longest time for PhD degree application can be delayed to eight years after the same procedure as above.
5. Course credit requirements and curriculum provision
Required total credits of various disciplines should not be less than 14 in principle, including at least 9 credits for compulsory courses and at least 5 credits for elective courses.
6. Requirements for dissertation preparation procedure
After finishing courses study, meeting the requirement of credits, doctoral candidates should start their dissertation preparation, and finally obtain the dissertation credit.
1). Opening report
The opening report of doctoral candidates should be finished in the third semester, and it should be finished on the base of reading a certain amount of Chinese and English literature, including at least 80 Chinese academic papers and 30 English papers. The evaluation to opening report is organized by the school according to research direction, and the assessment team appointed by institute is made of 5 to 7 people, who are specialists in the same or similar research direction. Students are required to prepare a ‘Opening report of doctoral dissertation of Dalian University of Technology’, which includes research topic selection, literature screening, difficulty of study, plan and fundamental of research, results and novelty being expected, writing ability, and defense skills, etc. Then they should prepare a PowerPoint presentation, and the self-representation time and question time should be not less than 20 minutes and 10 minutes respectively. The evaluation team has to assess the opening report seriously with comments of pass or failure. Related teachers and postgraduates are welcome to attend the meeting.If the dissertation topic is interdisciplinary, supervisors in related research fields will be invited to take part in the meeting of opening report. The student who fails to pass the evaluation at the first time could apply the second examination after 6 months. But if the student fails again, she/he will be dismissed.
2). Mid-term assessment
The mid-term assessment fordoctoral candidates should be carried out in the fifth semester. The evaluation is organized by the school, and the assessment team appointed by the school is made of 5 to 7 people, who are specialists in the same or similar research area.Students are required to write’ Mid-term report of doctoral dissertation of Dalian University of Technology’, which includes the progress of research, the correction of partial results, whether the schedule have to be adjusted or what adjustments have been carried out, the correction of the follow-up work thoughts, whether the progress can be guaranteed, whether the expectation could be achieved, whether the quality of dissertation could be guaranteed,and the existing problems as well as the publications. Then they should prepare a PowerPoint presentation, and self-representation time and question time should be not less than 20 minutes and 10 minutes respectively. The evaluation team has to assess the mid-term report seriously with comments of pass or failure. The doctoral candidate who fails to pass the evaluation at the first time could apply the second examination after 6 months. But if the student fails again, she/he will be dismissed.
3). Pre-defense examination
Pre-defense examination is organized by supervisor, and the qualification is examined by administrator of postgraduate affairs in the school.
4). Academic activities
The postgraduate are required to attend various academic activities, and fill the record forms to present the activity content and achievements.Doctoral candidates should attend at least 20 academic activities including 4 times as a host, and they should attend at least 1 international or domestic academic activity related to their discipline and present academic report.
5). Publish academic papers
It is essential for postgraduates to publish academic papers. Doctor candidates have to publish a certain number of academic papers, and publish at least2 papers in the public journals, including at least oneSCI paper in English, and at the same time, at least another oneSCI or EI paper. (Notes: 1.Dalian University of Technology should be the first affiliation, and the postgraduate should be the first author, or the supervisor is the first author (excluding the vice-supervisor) and the student is the second author. 2.Conference papers recorded by journals will be not taken into account.)
7. Scientific research and dissertation requirement
After getting the required credits, students should perform deep and systematic scientific research, including reading literatures, selecting topics, in-depth theoretical analysis, computer programming and(or) experiments, study of commercial software and the practice of that, masteryof numerical analysis methods, analysis and solution of engineering problems, attending research projects and preparing valuable research reports by their own.Then they should write the dissertation matched the requirements for degree awarding. Based on research works, the students should publish at least 2 papers, including at least 1 SCI paper in English, and another 1 SCI or EI paper.
According to character of different disciplines, the topics of research and dissertation could be related to the theoretical problems in fundamental research and practical problems in engineering applications, could also be related to R&D in high-tech and significant engineering technology fields. Overall the topics should have important theoretical and practical values for domestic economy, national defense construction and social development. The doctoral dissertation should have characteristics of novelty, advance and considerable efforts. The dissertation should indicate that the author possesses the ability of working independently on scientific research, achieves creative accomplishments in a specific science or technology field.And the dissertation should reflect that the author masters basic theory and specialized knowledge of the discipline.
The dissertation should be accomplished independently under the guidance of supervisor, and the writingformat should follow the requirements of Dalian University of Technology.
8. Reference books and related academic journals
Omitted.
9. Assessment and defense of dissertation
The format of dissertation should strictly follow the dissertation templates of Dalian University of Technology. Duplicate checking, external auditor (spot checking), pre-defense and final defenseshould be carried out strictly for the dissertation according to the ‘Working instruction of degree awarding of Dalian University of Technology’ and relevantdocuments of degree awarding management.
10. Graduation and degree awarding
Students, who get required creditsand pass the dissertation oral defense, are allowed to graduate and are granted the certificate of graduation. Assessed by the degree evaluation sub-committee of faculty and further by the committee of university, the postgraduate will be awarded with doctoral degree, and be granted the certificate of diploma.
