Tao Liu

Dr. Tao Liu is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, where he conducts research in mechanics of soft and composite materials, design optimization, impact engineering, and bio-inspired adhesives. He is affiliated with the Centre for Intelligent Transport and leads a research group focused on advanced materials and structural systems.

Research Interests:

• Mechanics of Soft Matter
• Mechanics of Composite Materials
• Design Optimization
• Impact Engineering
• Mechanics of Extreme Materials
• Mechanics of Wet Adhesions
• Biomimetic and Self-Healing Materials
• Metamaterials and Lattice Structures

His recent publications show a strong trend toward bioinspired materials (especially marine mussel adhesion), high-performance composites, and computational modeling of mechanical behavior under extreme conditions such as impact, creep, and high temperature. These works span disciplines including materials science, mechanical engineering, biomechanics, and aerospace applications.

Scientific Grants:

• H2 Store: UK-Australia Renewable Hydrogen Innovation Partnership Programme (£128,750, Innovate UK, 2024–2026)
• Mechanics and biomimicking of marine mussel plaques: Leverhulme Trust (£165,813, 2022–2025)
• Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) “Next Wing”: Collaborative project led by AIRBUS UK (£458,219, Innovate UK, 2022–2026)
• Marine mussel plaque-inspired anchorages: EPSRC (£201,751, 2023–2025)

Dr. Liu advises PhD students Niccolò Forte and Chen Zhang, focusing on ultralightweight mechanical metamaterials and bio-inspired adhesive structures. His research is supported by major UK funding councils and industry partners. He is affiliated with ITP Aero UK and contributes to interdisciplinary efforts in sustainable transportation and intelligent systems.

Laboratory and Research Group: His team operates within the Centre for Intelligent Transport and engages in both experimental and computational research, utilizing finite element modeling, 3D printing, and advanced mechanical testing techniques.