Staff Profile
Reader in Net Zero Maritime System, researching marine renewable energy, underwater vehicle and marine propulsion system with expertise in experimental and numerical marine hydrodynamics.
Weichao is currently leading a research team developing applied biomimetics marine hydrodynamics technology with the ambition of providing the marine industry with effective and feasible solutions inspired by mother nature. Weichao started his higher education at the Harbin Institute of Technology in 2007, studying Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering. He continued his Master's degree study in Mechatronics Engineering and got inspired to devote himself to tidal energy research. During his Master's study, he was involved in several national R&D projects developing marine renewable energy. In 2013, he moved to Newcastle University and continued his PhD research in the Emersion Cavitation Tunnel, working on biomimetic concepts to improve tidal turbine performance. From 2016 to 2023, he worked for the University of Strathclyde as research associate, chancellor's fellow and later on senior lecturer. He returned to Newcastle University as the Reader in 2023.
To date, Weichao has been working on 30+ research and knowledge exchange projects with funding from various funding societies, including Horizon Europe, EU-H2020, Innovate UK, Department for Transport, the Royal Society, and various industrial companies, like BAE Systems, James Fisher and Defence, etc. Meanwhile, Weichao and his team have generated 70+ journal and conference papers and 10 patents.
Weichao serves as guest editor for the Journal of Ocean Engineering, the Frontiers in Energy Research and the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering; and as an editorial board member for the Journal of Mathematical Problems in Engineering and the Journal of Sustainable Marine Structures. He also contributes to organising in many international research conferences, including OMAE, AMT conferences. He is also a member of ITTC technical committee, RINA and HEA.
For Weichao's research, please check the research website, https://www.abmhydro.com/.