On 11 November, the China Final of the 2025 Young Persons’ Lecture Competition (YPLC), organised by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), was successfully held at the Queen Mary University of London Engineering School (QMES), Northwestern Polytechnical University. The competition attracted active participation from many outstanding students. Following multiple rounds of selection, four finalists emerged and delivered an impressive showcase of talent. After a intense competition, Zeng Xiaoxi, a 2022 undergraduate from QMES, wined the first place with an excellent performance. Tong Junbo from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China was awarded second place, and Wang Haochen and Wu Ruoyu, both 2023 undergraduates from QMES, tied for third place.
At the start of the competition, Zeng Xiaoxi was the first to present. His research addresses the challenge of weak interfacial adhesion and limited performance in CF/PEEK composites. He proposed an innovative molecular-scale modification strategy based on a biphenyl-branched poly(arylene-ether-nitrile) (BPEN), offering a new approach to developing high-performance, multifunctional thermoplastic composites. With solid professional expertise and clear logical expression, his outstanding performance earned unanimous praise from the audience.
Subsequently, Wu Ruoyu and Wang Haochen took to the stage in turn. Wu Ruoyu addressed the issue of risky interfacial connection between CFs and PEEK by innovatively introducing Co-based layered double-hydroxides (Co-LDHs) to construct the material surface, and experimentally verified great potential for application in self-lubricating polymer-based composites. Wang Haochen, meanwhile, integrated atomic-scale regulation with intelligent modelling, establishing a new data-driven route for the development of self-lubricating ceramic materials for extreme environments. Their passionate speeches deeply inspired the audience.
Finally, Tong Junbo from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China presented his unique research findings through online participation. He developed a fruit-worn ethylene sensing device that can be directly clipped onto fruits. This technology provides growers with objective harvest decisions, helps reduce waste, optimizes fruit quality management, and holds positive implications for the development of the agricultural sector.
The four finalists delivered their lectures with confidence and clarity. Their topics combined professionalism with interest and demonstrated profound innovative thinking. They responded to questions calmly with rigorous logic, agile adaptability, and excellent cross-cultural communication skills, showcasing not only solid academic competence but also outstanding cross-cultural exchange abilities and distinctive personal strengths. They won rounds of applause from the audience.
The judges, Andrew Spowage, Xinru Deng and Sulafudin Vukusic, spoke highly of the overall performance of the competitors. They noted that the participants had succeeded in turning complex engineering concepts into engaging and creative presentations, which not only demonstrated their strong professional competence but also delivered an academic event that was both profound and dynamic.
The IOM3 Young Persons’ Lecture Competition (YPLC) is a global academic speech contest held each year by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. Since it was launched in 2005, the competition has attracted widespread attention across the international academic community and has become an important platform for young scholars to showcase their academic talent and engage in scholarly exchange. This year’s competition, successfully held at QMES, provided students with a valuable opportunity to strengthen their skills in academic presentation, cross-cultural communication, and research practice. It also reflected QMES’s commitment to fostering innovative thinking and cultivating a critical mindset. Looking ahead, it is expected that more talented young students will shine on this stage and inject new vitality into academic research.
Text: Hong Jincheng and Meng Jiarong
Photo: Hong Jincheng and Shan Luyu
Editors: Luo Zihan and Ma Huili
Translator: Fang Jie
Reviewer: Cheng Yin
