Professor
The Last Update Time : ..
Personal Profile
Prof. Yan LI (BSc, MSc, PhD) Professor (Nov, 2022- Present) Advanced Manufacturing Centre Gemmological Institute China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074 E-mail：yanli@cug.edu.cn; Phone: +86 02767886373 http://grzy.cug.edu.cn/liyan/en/index.htm https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8141-9732 Prof. Li Yan holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science from the University of London. She is a Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the Gemmological Institute, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan). Recognized as a Top Young Talent in Guangzhou (Guangzhou High-Level Talent Program), she currently serves as the Dean of the Gemology Department. She is also a CNAS Assessor for Gemstones and Precious Metals under the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS), a National Registered Jewellery Appraiser (Certification No. HG 0001097), and a Gemmologist of the British FGA (Fellowship of the Gemmological Association, Certification No. 100/2778/6, with Merits A). Prof. Li has served as a long-term reviewer for over 10 international academic journals, including: Advanced Materials (IF=32.086), Additive Manufacturing (IF=10.998), Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing (IF=9.463), Advanced Materials Technologies (IF=8.856), Nanotechnology Reviews (IF=7.848), and Gems & Gemology (Top 1 journal in gemology). In 2021, she was honored as a "Young Top Talent" under the "CUG Scholar" program at China University of Geosciences. Committed to public engagement and science communication, she has been invited as an expert for CCTV-10’s Decoding Tech History, delivered lectures in the National Arts Fund training program, and presented popular science talks at provincial-level forums, with coverage in major media outlets such as Hubei Daily and Chutian metropolis Daily. Prof. Li Yan has led over 20 national and provincial scientific projects (including NSFC and provincial NSF grants) and contributed to 21 major programs such as the National Key R&D Plan. She has authored 131 publications, including 85 SCI papers (4 cover articles, 1 ESI Highly Cited Paper), with 2,600+ citations and an H-index of 24. She holds 7 national invention patents and has co-authored 4 monographs and 1 textbook. Her interdisciplinary research spans additive manufacturing, advanced materials, and gemology, with successful technology transfers in areas such as diamond/copper composites and amber traceability. She fosters industry–academia collaboration, supports commercialisation and international standard-setting (as a CNAS Assessor), and facilitates joint R&D platforms. She also assists enterprises in securing government funding and advancing technological upgrades in smart manufacturing and new material applications. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8141-9732 If you would like to join us, please contact Prof. YAN LI (yanli@cug.edu.cn) and include your CV with research interests and potential project ideas. In the application, please indicate your interests in working at Yan Research Lab. We welcome researchers with different backgrounds in materials science, gemology, chemistry, physics, and related fields. |
EDUCATION
Oct. 2012 -Nov.2016
| PhD, Materials Science, Queen Mary, University of London |
UK TSB support Project: Nanosynth Project. Full Scholarship. Graphene-Reinforced Epoxies for High Performance Applications | |
Sep. 2008 - July 2011
| MSc, Mineralogy, Petrology, Mineral deposit, China University of Geosciences (Beijing) 1st with honors, Excellent Thesis. |
Sep. 2004 - July 2008
| BSc, Gemstones & Materials Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing) |
Appointments
1. Youth Editorial Board Member, Additive Manufacturing Frontier
2. Editorial Board Member, Journal of Gems & Gemmology and China Gems
3. Peer Reviewer, Gems & Gemology
4. Expert Mentor, National Arts Fund Training Program
5. National Judge, WorldSkills Jewellery Identification Competition
6. Chief Judge, WorldSkills Jewellery Identification Competition (Hubei & Zhejiang Provincial Events)
7. Vice President, Academy of Science and Technology Development (October 2023 - October 2024)
Research Projects (PI):
1. NSFC General Program: "Multi-scale Self-supporting Structure Design and Bidirectional Thermal Regulation Mechanism of Additively Manufactured Phase Change Thermal Storage Mineral Composite Fibers", ¥500,000, No. 52575465, Ongoing, PI, 2026.01-2029.12.
2. Hubei Provincial Research Center Project 2024 (Key Project): "Research on the Protection, Inheritance, and Innovation of Ancient Chinese Accessory Culture in the Digital Intelligence Era", JD-2024-03, 2024, PI.
3. Guangzhou "Caiyuan Guangjin Plan" Young Top Talent (Guangzhou High-Level Talent Plan), 2024.
4. Industry-University Cooperation: "Origin Characteristics of Canadian Aurora 23 Crystal and Its Brand Building Research in the Chinese Market", ¥200,000, 2024.
5. Industry-University Cooperation: "Study on Geological Characteristics and Gemmological Features of the Liuzhi Pingqiao Fluorite Deposit, Guizhou", ¥500,000, 2025.
6. Guangdong Provincial NSF General Program: "Additive Manufacturing and Performance Regulation of Wearable Protective PCM Mineral Composite 'Skin-Core Fiber' TPMS Lattice Structure", ¥150,000, Ongoing, PI, 2024.01-2025.12, No. 2024A1515010772.
7. National Key Lab Open Youth Project: "Intelligent Design and Manufacturing Technology for Mass Personalized Customization Based on a General Large Model Suitable for the Elderly", ¥50,000, Ongoing, PI, 2023.08-2025.07, No. H&C-MPC-2023-02-06 (Q).
8. NSFC Young Scientists Program: "Functional Gradient Structure Design and Absorption Performance Optimization of 3D Printed Graphene Composites", ¥250,000, No. 51902295, Concluded, PI, 2020.01-2022.12.
9. Wuhan Municipal Science Bureau Project: "Key Technologies for High-Resolution High-Thermal Conductivity Diamond Composite Green Laser Selective Laser Melting Additive Manufacturing", ¥500,000, No. 2020010601012172, Concluded, PI, 2020.07-2022.12.
10. CUG Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities: "Research on Graphene Reinforced Bio-based Photosensitive Resin for Additive Manufacturing Technology", ¥300,000, CUG170677, Concluded, PI, 2017.09-2020.09.
11. Hubei Provincial Natural Science Youth Foundation: "Regulation and Stabilization Mechanism of Rectorite and Activated Carbon Loaded TiO2 3D Gradient Porous Structure Based on Water Treatment", ¥50,000, No. 2019 CFB264, Concluded, PI, 2019.07-2020.07.
12. Hubei Provincial Education Dept. Philosophy and Social Science Project: "Interaction Relationship and Database Construction of Chinese and Western Jewelry and Jade Artifacts on the Silk Road - Taking the Han Dynasty Haihunhou Tomb as an Example", No. 21G007, Concluded, 2021.09-2023.09.
13. Hubei Provincial Jewelry Eng. Research Center: "In-situ Evaluation Method for Typical Aging Characteristics and Deterioration Degree of Ancient Unearthed Amber Artifacts", ¥50,000, No. CIGTXM-03-202304, Ongoing, PI, 2023-2024.
14. Hubei Provincial Jewelry Eng. Research Center: "Origin Study of Amber Unearthed from the Haihunhou Tomb in Nanchang, Jiangxi", ¥50,000, No. CIGTXM-03-202104, Concluded, PI, 2021.12-2022.12.
15. Hubei Provincial Jewelry Eng. Research Center: "Key Technology of High-Resolution High-Thermal Conductivity Copper Composite Laser Selective Melting Additive Manufacturing", ¥50,000, No. CIGTXM-03-202003, Concluded, PI, 2020.07-2022.07.
16. Gem Testing Center: "Study on the Differences in 'Fluorescence Color Change' of Burmese, Mexican, and Dominican Blue Amber", ¥50,000, No. CIGTWZ-201801, Concluded.
17. CUG Experimental Textbook Project: "Experimental Textbook for Organic Gemology", ¥20,000, SJC-202310, 2023-2024.
18. University Level Undergraduate Textbook Project: "The Educational Role of Gemstone and Jade Aesthetics from the Perspective of Cultural Confidence - 'Gem and Jade Aesthetics'", PI.
19. CUG Gemological Institute Curriculum Ideology Project: "Gem and Jade Aesthetics Course from the Perspective of Cultural Confidence", ¥30,000, PI.
20. "' Mr. Love: Queen’s Choice' Gem Science Popularization Video Recording Activity", ¥20,000, PI, 2024.
21. Ministry of Education Industry-Academia Cooperative Education Program: "Exploration and Construction of a Joint University-Enterprise Practice Base for Jewelry Intelligent Engineering and Creative Design", ¥200,000, PI.
Research Projects Participated (Co-PI):
1. Hubei Provincial Innovation Group Project: "High-Entropy Thermal Barrier Coatings for Aero-Engines", Project No. 2025AFA052, 2025, ¥500,000.
2. Research on Low Thermal Resistance, High Thermal Conductivity Diamond-Based GaN HEMT Low-Temperature Bonding Technology, 2024 Nansha District Key Area Science and Technology Plan Project (Joint Science and Technology development with Hong Kong and Macao), Ranked Second, ¥1,000,000, 2024.
3. Equipment Pre-Research Ministry of Education Joint Fund Innovation Team Project: "Precision Internal Structure Design and Additive Manufacturing for Aerospace Propulsion Systems", Project No. 8091B042207, Dec 2022 - Dec 2025, ¥1,500,000.
4. Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China, National Key R&D Program Project: "Research on Origin Traceability and Adulteration Identification Technologies for Resource-Based and High-Value Products", Project No. 2018YFF0215400, ¥2,070,000, Completed, Participant.
5. Hubei Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Hubei Province 2021 Technology Project under the Unveil Mechanism: "Integrated Additive Manufacturing of Dissimilar Metal New-Type Engine Thrust Chambers and Cooling Structures", Project No. 2021BEC010, Jan 2021 - Dec 2023, Total Funding ¥1,800,000 (Sub-project Lead ¥315,000), In Progress, Sub-project Lead.
6. National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), Sino-UK International Exchange and Collaboration Project: "Additive Manufacturing and Digital Design of Multi-Mineral Materials for Sustainable Development", Project No. 5191101701, ¥143,000, Completed, Participant.
7. 2024 Tianjin Higher Education Institution Humanities and Social Sciences Research Project: "Research on the Construction Path of Industry-Education Integration for the Craft Art Major: A Case Study of Jewelry Design Direction", Project No. 2024SK125.
8. China National Arts & Crafts Society 2024 Annual Craft Art Research Project: "Case Study on the Industrial Development and Brand Building of Tianjin Filigree Craft", Theoretical General Project, 2024, Participant (Ranked Second), Project No. CNACS2024-I-32.
9. China Adult Education Association 2025–2026 Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance and Innovation Research Project: "Research on the Protection System of Representative ICH Items and Inheritors from the Perspective of Cultural Nurturing of Cities", 2025, Core Participant.
10. Development of Additive Manufacturing and Intelligent Processing Equipment for Personalized Selenium-Enriched Rice Food Products (Provincial Allocation ¥300,000), Hubei Provincial Key R&D Program Project, Project No. 2023BBB096, Aug 1, 2023 - Jul 31, 2025.
11. Hubei Provincial Jewelry Engineering Technology Research Center, Major Science and Engineering Project: "Silver Alloy Additive Manufacturing", Project No. CIGTXM-01-202001, Jul 2020 - Jul 2023, ¥500,000, In Progress, Participant.
12. State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures Open Fund: "Research on Key Technologies for Quartz Glass Vat Photopolymerization 3D Printing", Project No. SYSJJ2022-14, Jan 2022 - Dec 2023, In Progress, Participant.
13. Enterprise Commissioned Project: "Application Research on Precious Metal 3D Printing in High-End Custom Jewelry", Project No. 2020136049, ¥300,000, (No. 2 Contributor).
14. Enterprise Commissioned Project: "Finger Size Measurement Equipment and 3D Printed Jewelry Development", Project No. 2018136292, ¥500,000, (No. 2 Contributor).
15. Hubei Provincial Jewelry Engineering Technology Research Center Key Project: "Fluorescence Characteristics and Luminescence Mechanism of Amber from Major World Origins", Project No. CIGTXM-02-202001, ¥200,000, Jul 2018 - Jul 2019.
16. National Natural Science Foundation of China, General Program: "Preparation and Wear Performance Study of Novel Low-Cost ZrO2-SiC-Al2O3 High-Performance Wear-Resistant Ceramics", Project No. 51272241, Jan 2013 - Dec 2016, ¥800,000, Completed, Participant.
17. UK Technology Strategy Board (TSB) Project: "NanoSynth Project: Graphene-Reinforced Epoxies for High Performance Applications", Project No. 101257, URL: http://www.nanosynthproject.org.uk/, Jan 2012 - Jul 2016, £1 Million, Completed, Participant.
18. EU International Collaboration Project: "Polygraph Project: Up-Scaled Production of Graphene Reinforced Thermosetting Polymers for Composite, Coating and Adhesive Applications", Project No. 604143, URL: http://www.polygraphproject.eu, Jan 2013 - Dec 2016, €6 Million, Completed, Participant.
Teaching Research Projects:
1. National First-Class Undergraduate Course: "Jadeite Education and Evaluation", Ministry of Education, Rank 3.
2. University Level: "Introduction to Gemology", WLK202518, Education Research Institute, Rank 1.
3. University Level General Elective: "Jewelry Aesthetics and Culture", ¥20,000, No. 2021A71, Rank 2.
4. Hubei Provincial New Engineering Project: "Gem Identification Instruments", ¥30,000, XGK01029, Rank 3.
5. MoE Teaching Guidance Committee Planning Textbook: "Gem Identification Instrument Tutorial", Rank 3.
6. MoE Teaching Guidance Committee Planning Textbook: "Fundamentals of Jewelry Materials Research", Rank 3.
7. CUG Teaching Reform Project 2024: "Research and Practice on Talent Training Mode and Mechanism of Government-Industry-University-Research-Application Cooperation in the Greater Bay Area Gold and Jewelry Industry Belt", ¥200,000, No. 2024078, Rank 4.
8. University Level First-Class Course & Textbook Project: "Series Textbook Construction for Gemology and Jewelry Design Foundation Course Group", ¥200,000, Rank 5.
9. Yunnan Provincial Undergraduate Education Teaching Reform Project 2023: "Ideological and Political Construction of 'Gem and Jade Aesthetics' Course - Harmony in Diversity, Beauty in Shared Beauty: Jewelry Aesthetics and Sino-Foreign Civilizational Exchange", ¥30,000, No. JG202314, Participating (Rank 2).
Representative Journal Publications:
[1] Yan Li (First Author). A Review on functionally graded materials and structures via additive manufacturing: from multi-scale design to versatile functional properties, Adv. Mater. Technol. 2020, 5(6): 1900981. (ESI Highly Cited Paper).
[2] Yan Li (First Author). Recent advances in artificial-intelligence enhanced additive manufacturing of heat exchangers for thermal management: a review[J]. Materials & Design, 2025: 114339.
[3] Yan Li* (Corresponding Author). Subdivisional modelling method for matched metal additive manufacturing and its implementation on novel negative Poisson's ratio lattice structures. Addit. Manuf., 2023, 68: 103525. (IF=11, Top Journal in AM)
[4] Yan Li (First Author). Graphene oxide-loaded magnetic nanoparticles within 3D hydrogel form high-performance scaffolds for bone regeneration and tumour treatment，Compos. Part A Appl. Sci. Manuf. 2021, 152: 106672.
[5] Yan Li (First Author). Additive manufacturing high performance graphene-based composites: A review. Compos. Part A Appl. Sci. Manuf., 2019, 124: 105483.
[6] Yan Li (First Author). Ton Peijs, Emiliano Bilotti, et al., Synergistic effects of spray-coated mixed carbon nanoparticles for enhanced electrical and thermal surface conductivity of CFRP laminates, Compos. Part A Appl. Sci. Manuf. 2018, 105: 9-18.
[7] Yan Li (First Author). Mechanical，electrical and thermal properties of In-situ exfoliated graphene/epoxy nanocomposites. Compos. Part A Appl. Sci. Manuf. 2017, 95: 229-236.
[8] Yan Li (First Author). Ton Peijs, Emiliano Bilotti, et al.，In-situ exfoliation of graphene in epoxy resins: a facile strategy to efficient and large-scale graphene nanocomposites. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2016, 8(36): 24112-24122.
[9] Yan Li* (Corresponding Author). In-situ deposition of three-dimensional graphene on selective laser melted copper scaffolds for high performance applications, Compos. Part A Appl. Sci. Manuf. 2020, 135: 105904.
[10] Yan Li* (Corresponding Author). A Comprehensive Review on Additive Manufacturing of Glass: Recent Progress and Future Outlook. Mater. Des. 2023, 227, 111736
[11] Yan Li (First Author). Unraveling the luminescence secrets of turquoise nucleus cultivated pearls. Scientific Reports DOI:10.1 038/s41598-025-12814-w, 2025.
[12] Yan Li* (Corresponding Author). Effects of weathering on FTIR spectra and origin traceability of archaeological amber: The case of the Han Tomb of Haihun Marquis, China. Journal of Archaeological Science, 2023, 153(105753). （Top Journal in Archaeology）
[13] Yan Li (First Author). Ageing characterization and origin traceability of archaeological amber artefacts via FTIR spectroscopy and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Journal of Cultural Heritage. 2024. DOI:10.1016/j.culher.2024.07.005. （Top Journal in Cultural Heritage）
[14] Yan Li* (Corresponding Author). Characteristic of Hydrothermally Treated Beeswax Amber. Gems & Gemology, 2019, 55(3). （Top Journal in Gemology）
[15] Yan Li* (Corresponding Author). Gold-sheen Sapphire from Basaltic Lavas, Changle, Shandong Province, China. The Journal of Gemmology, 39(5), 2025, pp. 450–465. （Top Journal in Gemology）
[16] Yan Li* (Corresponding Author). Characterisation of Patchy Blue and Green Colouration in Dominican Blue Amber, Journal of Gemmology, 37(7), 2021, pp. 700–713. （Top Journal in Gemology）
[17] Yan Li* (Corresponding Author). "Biomimetic Structure and Phase Change Materials for Multifunctional Personal Thermal Management." Journal of Bionic Engineering (2025): 1-49.
[18] Yan Li* (Corresponding Author). Unravelling the luminescence spectrum of novel ceramic nucleus cultured pearl and the cause of its strong luster[J]. Scientific Reports, 2025, 15(1): 22451.
[19] Yan Li* (Corresponding Author). Evaluation of natural ageing responses on Burmese amber durability by FTIR spectroscopy with PLSR and ANN models. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 2023. 285: p. 121936.
[20] Yan Li* (Corresponding Author). Fluorescence Characteristics and Main Fluorescence Component in Burmese 'chameleon' Amber, Spectrochimica Acta Part A-Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 2024. DOI:10.1016/j.saa.2024.124201
Books & Chapters
[1] Book Chapter: "Triply Periodic Minimal Surface Lattices Additively Manufactured by Selective Laser Melting" (Ch. 4), Elsevier, 2021, ISBN: 9780128244388.
[2] Book Chapter: "Fundamentals of 3D Food Printing and Applications" (Ch. Co-author), AP Academic Press, 2019, ISBN: 978-0-12-814564-7.
[3] Book Chapter: "Additive Manufacturing of Triply Periodic Minimal Surface Biomimetic Metamaterials" (Ch. 6), Huazhong University of Science and Technology Press, 2021, ISBN: 978-7-5680-7584-8.
[4] Book Chapter: "Digital Meets Handmade Jewelry Design, Manufacture, and Art in the Twenty-First Century" (Ch. Co-author), SUNY PRESS, 2021, ISBN13: 978-1-4384-8766-3.
[5] Textbook: "Gem Identification Instrument Tutorial", China University of Geosciences Press, 2022, Contributing Editor (Rank 4).
Patents
Ø Method for Building and Applying an Amber Origin Traceability Model Based on Spectral Fingerprints, Authorized 2024-03-19, ZL202211429390.5 (Authorized, First Inventor).
Ø Rapid Detection Method for Amber VOC Based on Headspace High-Capacity Solid Phase Microextraction-GC/MS, Authorized 2023-05-26, ZL202210756329.5 (Authorized, First Inventor).
Ø Titanium-Coated Diamond Copper Composite Material and Its Preparation Method, Authorized 2021-6-18, ZL202110678540.5.
Ø Method for Measuring Vapor Recoil Pressure in Additive Manufacturing Enhanced by Multiple High-Energy Beams, Authorized 2022-5-13, ZL202210146980.0 (Noted for high creativity and market potential).
Ø Method for In-situ Measurement of Splash Dynamics in Laser Additive Manufacturing, Authorized 2022-2-18, ZL202210148341.8.
Ø Open-Close Movable Structure for 3D Printing, ZL201710516677.4.
Ø Self-Repairing Aluminosilicate Inorganic Adhesive and Deep Ultraviolet LED Fully Inorganic Packaging Method, ZL202410111296.8, 2025.
Conference presentations:
[1] IGC International Geological Congress 2024: "The Special Color Effect in 'Chameleon' Amber and its main Fluorescence Component", Oral.
[2] IGC International Geological Congress 2024: "Ageing Characterization and Origin Traceability of archaeological amber artifacts via FTIR spectroscopy and Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS)", Oral.
[3] IGC International Geological Congress 2024: "Spectral and Chemical Characterization of Amber from Xixia, Henan Province via FTIR, Three-dimensional Fluorescence Spectra and Py (HMDS)-GC-MS.
[4] GIT Thailand: "Additive Manufacturing of Metals, Ceramics, and Polymers for Jewelry", Oral.
[5] Annual Conference of the Professional Committee of Archaeometry of the Chinese Society for the History of Science and Technology & The 17th National Conference on Archaeometry: "Research on the Activation and Inheritance Methods of Qing Dynasty Accessories Based on AIGC Image Diffusion Model", Oral.
[6] Yan Li, 2022, China Jadeology and Jade Culture Symposium, Oral Presentation.
[7] Yan Li, 2020, New Materials and Low Observable Technology and Application Academic Seminar, Oral Presentation.
[8] Yan Li, 2019, International Conference in Japan: "In-situ Exfoliation of Graphene in Epoxy Resins: A Facile Strategy to Efficient and Large-Scale Graphene Nanocomposites", Oral.
[9] Hao Liang, Yan Li, 2018, Digital Meets Handmade: Jewellery in the 21st Century International Forum (New York, USA): "Movable Structure of Precious Metal Jewellery", Oral.
[10] Yan Li, 2018, Additive Manufacturing Forming and Material Innovation Youth Scientist Forum by Wuhan Mechanical Engineering Society: "Application of Multi-material and Multi-structure in 3D Printing", Oral.
[11] Yan Li, 2018, International Annual Jewelry Academic Conference: "Progress in GIC Amber Research", Oral.
[12] Yan Li, 2017, The 4th Youth Forum on Additive Manufacturing: "Fabrication of Multi-scale Complex Structures via Precise Micro-jet Deposition of Mineral Materials", Oral.
[13] MRS 2015 (Boston, USA): "Graphene Delivery System for Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites", Oral.
[14] ICCM20 2015 (Copenhagen, Denmark): "Optimization of the in-situ exfoliation/dispersion processing parameters of graphene nanoplatelets in epoxy for enhanced properties ", Oral.
Major Awards & Honors
· Excellent Instructor, UK Industrial Design G Cross Award 2024.
· Silver Award (Category) & Advanced Teacher Award, 2024 6th CADA Japan Concept Art Design Award.
· First Prize (2 items), 2nd KHDADC Hong Kong Digital Art Design Competition, 2023.
Education BackgroundUniversity of London Materials science and Engineering Postgraduate (Doctoral) Doctoral Degree in Engineering
China University of Geosciences (Beijing) Mineralogy, Petrology, and Economic Geology Postgraduate (Master's Degree) Master's Degree in Science
China University of Geosciences (Beijing) Gems and materials technology Undergraduate (Bachelor’s degree) Bachelor's Degree in Engineering
Work ExperienceChina University of Geosciences (Wuhan) Gemmological Institute Associate Professor
Other Contact InformationZipCode :
PostalAddress :
OfficePhone :
email :
Research GroupResearch Focus
