A Professor from Top Ranked Fudan University Visits VGTU

December 19, 2016
These days Nano/Micro-technologies have very wide application: from everyday clothing to, not yet widely used, 3D printers. Currently, prof. Ran Liu, a well-known professional from this widely applicable scientific area, is visiting Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU). The professor represents Fudan University in Shanghai, China, which ranks 43rd in the QS World University Rankings.
 
Prof. Ran Liu received his PhD degree from the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research in Heisenberg, Germany. He worked for fifteen years in the U.S. research and industrial organisations, including Motorola. Currently, Ran Liu is Vice Dean of the School of Information Science and Engineering and the Head of the Centre of Micro/Nano-systems at Fudan University. The professor has over 400 scientific publications, he is also an editor of several prestigious scientific journals (Microelectronic Engineering, Frontiers in Materials, Thin Films, IET Circuits, Devices and Systems), and a member of various programmes' committees.
 
"I arrived on Saturday evening and I truly enjoy my stay in Lithuania – it is my first visit to this country. I was surprised how well developed Lithuania is. I like Vilnius a lot, especially, the old town and the cultural heritage. Also, I like transport infrastructure here: there are quite a lot of cars, but streets are not as jammed as in Shanghai," says professor, who until now knew only the name of our country and that Lithuania has been a part of the Soviet Union in the past. 
 
Today, after giving a lecture to VGTU students and faculty, Ran Liu admitted that his knowledge about Lithuanian scientific and research achievements is very limited, but this is exactly the purpose of his visit – to get to know the researchers, laboratories and learn more about the institution.
 
The professor confirms that visibility on an international arena is very important for China and Chinese higher education institutions. Therefore, cooperation with foreign universities is more than welcome.
 
"These days, borders barely exist in research projects. Indeed, researchers from several countries cooperate on international research teams, the same is also true for higher education. We see an ever growing number of joint study programmes, students' and faculty exchange is a regular process. Thus, one of the goals for my visit here is to learn more about this university and to present Fudan University to you. Who knows, maybe this will lead to a new cooperation link between our institutions," says the guest from Fudan University.
 
The professor is visiting VGTU under Erasmus+ exchange programme. He will stay here until Friday. The host of the visit is VGTU professor Romualdas Navickas.
 

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New doctoral dissertation
New doctoral dissertation
VILNIUS TECH Library invites you to follow the published new dissertations. The dissertation „Resistance of technological waste-modified concrete to freeze–thaw cycles and alkaline corrosion“  („Technologinėmis atliekomis modifikuoto betono atsparumas užšaldymo ir atšildymo ciklams bei šarminei korozijai“) prepared at VILNIUS TECH by Edvinas Pocius. The dissertation was prepared in 2021–2026. Scientific consultant – Prof. Dr Džigita Nagrockienė. The dissertation was defended at the public meeting of the Dissertation Defence Council of the Scientific Field of Materials Engineering in the Aula Doctoralis Meeting Hall of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University at 10 a.m. on 8 June 2026. The dissertation investigates concrete modified with glass processing waste, concrete sludge, and a crystallizing additive. The goal is to develop concrete that is resistant to freeze–thaw cycles and alkali–silica reaction (ASR) by replacing part of the cement with glass waste and sand with concrete sludge. By selecting the optimal amount of technological waste, the aim is to improve the basic properties of concrete while maintaining its resistance to freeze–thaw cycles and alkali–silica reaction. The tasks addressed in the work include the analysis of glass processing waste and concrete sludge, evaluating their impact on the properties of the cement paste. After determining the recommended waste content, the physical and mechanical properties of the modified concrete are investigated, focusing on resistance to freeze–thaw cycles and alkali–silica reaction. This research sequence aims to substantiate the basic properties and resistance to freeze–thaw cycles and alkali–silica reaction of the newly developed material. The dissertation consists of an introduction, three chapters, general conclusions, a list of references, a list of the author‘s scientific publications, and a summary in English. The Introduction discusses the research problem and relevance, describes the object of research, formulates the aim and tasks, and outlines the research methodology, scientific novelty, practical significance, and statements for defence. The First Chapter discusses active mineral substances, their formation and use in concrete production. It discusses the generation of concrete sludge and glass waste, as well as the impact of their use on the physical and mechanical properties and durability of concrete. The durability of waste-modified concrete and the assessment of carbon dioxide emissions are also described. Conclusions are formulated, and the objectives of the dissertation are refined at the end of the chapter. The Second Chapter presents the materials used, their properties, and their formation. It describes the research methods and equipment chosen to investigate the structure and properties of the concrete and to calculate its CO2 emissions. The Third Chapter substantiates recommended dosages of glass waste and concrete sludge and their effects on cementitious systems. Glass waste was found suitable for cement replacement, and dry sludge for fine aggregate. An environmental impact assessment was also performed. Five scientific articles were published on the dissertation topic in the Web of Science database, Science Citation Index Expanded, peer-reviewed publications with a citation index. Doctoral dissertation readers can search via VILNIUS TECH Virtual Library.
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