My research interests are presently focused on low-energy ion/surface interactions for nanostructure control during low-temperature growth of transition-metal-based nitride, boride, and carbide thin films by physical vapor deposition. My work aims to improve mechanical properties, oxidation & wear resistance, and service lifetime of thin films used for high speed yet dry machining. In addition, plastic deformation and hardening/strengthening mechanisms of thin films have been investigated.

In 2016 I obtained PhD in Engineering for the thesis “Performance enhancing and deformation mechanism of nanocrystalline transition metal nitride hard coatings” under supervision of Prof. Zhoucheng Wang.

Between Aug. 2016 and Jul. 2018 I worked with Prof. Qimin Wang in Guangdong University of Technology as a post doc.

In Aug. 2018, I joined academia as a research fellow of Thin Film Physics working with Professor Lars Hultman and Grzegorz Greczynski. My close collaborators are Professors Joe Greene and Ivan Petrov from University of Illinois (USA).

In Nov. 2019, I rejoined academia as an Assistant Professor in Guangdong University of Technology.

My homepage: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Zhengtao-Wu