Yip-Wah Chung

Yip-Wah Chung is a Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University, with a courtesy appointment in Mechanical Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of California, Berkeley (1977), and earlier degrees from the University of Hong Kong. His research focuses on surface science, tribology, lubricant additives, hard coatings, and high-performance alloys for energy and infrastructure applications. Notable contributions include reversing the hardness-toughness trade-off in multilayer coatings, designing sulfur/phosphorus-free lubricants, and developing heat-resistant steels for power plants.

Professional recognition includes Fellowships from the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (2005), American Vacuum Society (2000), and ASM International (1998). He has served on editorial boards for journals like Tribology Letters and led NSF-funded initiatives. His teaching includes core energy systems courses at Northwestern’s Institute of Energy and Sustainability.

Recent research highlights include:

• Smart oil additives reducing wear by 10x via friction polymer formation
• High-temperature steels strengthened by nanoscale precipitates (up to 700°C)
• Room-temperature surface hardening via nanoparticle-laden waterjets

Over 100 patents and textbooks like Encyclopedia of Tribology (2016) and Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering (2006) reflect his impactful career.