Prof. Dr. Zhengwei You | Materials Science | Outstanding Scientist Award
Chair of the Department of Composite Materials from Donghua University, China
Professor Dr. Zhengwei You is a leading figure in polymer and biomaterials research, currently serving as Chair of the Department of Composite Materials and Full Professor at Donghua University. With a robust academic and industry background, he has contributed significantly to advanced fiber materials, polyurethane elastomers, 3D printing, biomedicine, and flexible electronics. His research outputs include 96 peer-reviewed publications, over 60 patents, and two book chapters, with numerous papers in high-impact journals such as Nature Medicine, Nature Communications, and Advanced Materials. He has delivered over 50 keynote and invited lectures worldwide and serves on multiple editorial boards and professional committees in materials science, biomaterials, and engineering. His work is frequently highlighted by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and national media. With an H-index of 45 and over 7,600 Google Scholar citations, Prof. You is recognized as an influential researcher whose contributions bridge academia and industrial innovation. His leadership extends beyond research, including roles as chairman, vice-chair, and standing committee member across several scientific and academic societies. Prof. You’s multifaceted expertise, combined with his leadership in research management, places him at the forefront of materials science research in China and internationally.
Professional Profile
Education
Prof. Zhengwei You completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Chemistry at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (1996–2000), where he gained strong foundational knowledge in chemical sciences. He went on to pursue his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry at the prestigious Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, from 2002 to 2007. This doctoral training provided him with in-depth expertise in advanced organic synthesis, molecular design, and material characterization, establishing the technical basis for his later breakthroughs in polymer materials and biomaterials. His solid academic preparation in China’s top-ranked institutions positioned him well to integrate chemistry with materials science, allowing him to make key contributions to the fields of advanced fiber materials, elastomers, and biomedical engineering. This rigorous education also fostered his ability to lead interdisciplinary research and collaborate across chemistry, materials, and bioengineering domains, both in academia and industry.
Professional Experience
Prof. Zhengwei You has built a distinguished professional career spanning academia, research, and industry. He is currently Chair of the Department of Composite Materials at Donghua University (since 2016) and Full Professor at the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials (since 2013). His international experience includes roles as Visiting Research Assistant Professor (2011–2012) and Postdoctoral Associate (2009–2011) at the McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, and as a Postdoctoral Associate (2007–2008) at Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University. Notably, he also worked as an Innovation Manager for Bayer MaterialScience (2012–2013), giving him a strong bridge between academic research and industrial application. Earlier in his career, he served on the faculty at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (2000–2002). Beyond his institutional roles, Prof. You has held leadership positions in numerous professional societies, serving on editorial boards and technical committees and actively contributing to research governance, ethics, and scientific development in materials and biomaterials fields.
Research Interests
Prof. Zhengwei You’s research interests span polymers, biomaterials, polyurethane, and elastomers, with applications in 3D printing, biomedicine, and flexible electronics. He is particularly focused on designing advanced materials that exhibit superior mechanical strength, self-healing properties, dynamic crosslinking, and biocompatibility. His work integrates fundamental polymer science with cutting-edge technologies such as additive manufacturing and biofabrication to create next-generation medical devices, tissue scaffolds, and wearable electronics. Prof. You’s research also addresses the synthesis and characterization of smart materials that can respond to external stimuli and deliver tailored functionalities. He combines organic chemistry, materials science, and bioengineering principles to drive innovations at the interface of healthcare and technology. His interdisciplinary approach has led to breakthroughs in areas such as mechanoactive mineralization scaffolds for bone regeneration, dynamic polyurethanes for medical applications, and novel fiber materials for flexible electronics, all of which are highly relevant for advancing both clinical practice and industrial applications.
Research Skills
Prof. Zhengwei You possesses advanced research skills in polymer synthesis, organic chemistry, materials characterization, and biomaterials engineering. He is highly proficient in designing and fabricating novel elastomeric and polyurethane materials with dynamic crosslinking and self-healing properties. His expertise includes mechanical testing, thermal analysis, rheological assessment, and microstructural characterization using advanced techniques such as SEM, TEM, AFM, and spectroscopy. Prof. You has deep experience in 3D printing technologies, including biofabrication of scaffolds for tissue engineering, and the development of flexible and wearable electronic devices. Additionally, his research management skills encompass leading large interdisciplinary teams, securing research funding, filing patents, and publishing in top-tier scientific journals. His ability to translate fundamental research into practical applications demonstrates his strength in bridging laboratory discoveries with real-world solutions. With over 50 invited presentations, editorial board memberships, and active participation in international collaborations, Prof. You is not only technically skilled but also an influential research leader.
Awards and Honors
Prof. Zhengwei You has received widespread recognition for his contributions to materials science and biomaterials research. His research has been frequently highlighted by major funding agencies such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China and national media, including China Science Daily and the China Blue Book of New Material Technology Development. He has secured more than 60 patents and published over 90 peer-reviewed papers in highly ranked journals, with numerous articles appearing in Nature Medicine, Advanced Materials, and Angewandte Chemie. His leadership roles across multiple scientific societies reflect his outstanding reputation in the field, including serving as chairman, vice chairman, and standing committee member in prominent national and international organizations. Additionally, Prof. You’s editorial appointments, such as on the boards of Bioactive Materials, Advanced Fiber Materials, and Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, underline his scientific excellence. His invited keynote and plenary lectures at international conferences further showcase the high esteem in which his peers hold his research achievements.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Prof. Zhengwei You stands out as an exceptional candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his sustained, high-impact contributions to polymer science, biomaterials, and advanced fiber materials. His innovative research in polyurethane, elastomers, and biofabrication has resulted in numerous patents, top-tier publications, and real-world applications in healthcare and flexible electronics. Beyond his research output, Prof. You has demonstrated exemplary leadership by guiding interdisciplinary research teams, serving on influential editorial boards, and playing key roles in professional organizations. While his research portfolio is already robust, potential areas for future growth include expanding international collaborations and further enhancing translational impact to bring laboratory discoveries into widespread clinical or industrial use. Overall, Prof. You’s combination of scientific innovation, leadership, and broad recognition makes him a highly deserving recipient of this award, reflecting both his individual excellence and his ongoing contributions to advancing materials science on a global scale.
Publications Top Notes
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Title: Multiple dynamic bonds enable high mechanical strength and efficient room-temperature self-healable polyurethane for triboelectric nanogenerators
Authors: Zhang, Wenwen; Xuan, Huixia; Xu, Xiaofei; Guan, Qingbao; You, Zhengwei
Journal: Science China Chemistry
Year: 2025 -
Title: Dynamic cross-linked topological network reconciles the longstanding contradictory properties of polymers
Authors: Wu, Zekai; Chu, Chengzhen; Jin, Yuhui; Zhang, Wenwen; You, Zhengwei
Journal: Science Advances
Year: 2025 -
Title: One-step fabrication of ultrathin porous Janus membrane within seconds for waterproof and breathable electronic skin
Authors: Ni, Yufeng; Li, Bing; Chu, Chengzhen; Chen, Shuo; You, Zhengwei
Journal: Science Bulletin
Year: 2025
Citations: 2 -
Title: Mitochondria-inspired general strategy simultaneously enhances contradictory properties of commercial polymers
Authors: Wang, Yuepeng; Yang, Lei; Qian, Bo; Jia, Yujie; You, Zhengwei
Journal: Materials Today
Year: 2025 -
Title: Low-Cost Intrinsic Flame-Retardant Bio-Based High Performance Polyurethane and its Application in Triboelectric Nanogenerators
Authors: Zhang, Xiaoyu; Yan, Xixian; Zeng, Fanglei; Guan, Qingbao; You, Zhengwei
Journal: Advanced Science
Year: 2025 -
Title: Sequence-controlled dynamic covalent units enable decoupling of mechanical and self-healing performance of polymers
Authors: Zhang, Luzhi; Huang, Hongfei; Sun, Lijie; Tan, Hui; You, Zhengwei
Journal: Science China Chemistry
Year: 2025 -
Title: Readily recyclable, degradable, stretchable, highly conductive, anti-freezing and anti-drying glycerohydrogel for triboelectric nanogenerator
Authors: Jiang, Sihan; Wang, Yang; Tian, Meiqin; Sun, Wei; You, Zhengwei
Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal
Year: 2025
Citations: 1 -
Title: Construction of room-temperature self-healing polyurethane-based phase change composites for thermal control and energy supply
Authors: Ouyang, Yuling; Xu, Xiaofei; Li, Yingqian; Guan, Qingbao; You, Zhengwei
Journal: Science China Chemistry
Year: 2025 -
Title: Magnetically Guided Mechanoactive Mineralization Scaffolds for Enhanced Bone Regeneration
Authors: Guo, Xuran; Tao, Zaijin; Dai, Zhenzhen; You, Zhengwei; Jiang, Jia
Journal: Advanced Functional Materials
Year: 2025 -
Title: Multilevel neurium-mimetic individualized graft via additive manufacturing for efficient tissue repair
Authors: Kong, Lingchi; Gao, Xin; Yao, Xiangyun; Qian, Yun; Fan, Cunyi
Journal: Nature Communications
Year: 2024
Citations: 5