Launch Chief Editor of Nature Mechanical Engineering Visits Imperial Mech Eng

The Department of Mechanical Engineering recently hosted Dr Mengying Su, the Launch Chief Editor of Nature Mechanical Engineering, for an engaging afternoon of academic dialogue, research showcases, and facility tours.

The visit, which took place on 28 May, was co-organised by Assistant Professor Dr Xiangkun (Elvis) Cao and Director of Research Professor Guillermo Rein. The event provided an opportunity to showcase the breadth and depth of engineering research taking place across the South Kensington campus.

Introducing Nature Mechanical Engineering

The highlight of the day was an invited seminar by Dr Su titled "The Nature of Engineering Publishing - introducing Nature Mechanical Engineering" to both an in-person and virtual audience. During her presentation, Dr Su provided an overview of engineering content development within the Nature Portfolio, outlined the core scope and vision of the newly launched journal, and demystified the editorial process. The seminar offered staff and researchers insights into how the journal aims to serve and elevate the global mechanical engineering community. Dr Su brings a wealth of editorial experience to this new role, having previously handled mechanical engineering content at Communications Engineering and Nature Communications.

Showcasing Imperial’s Research Excellence

Following the seminar and an interactive discussion on AI, fluids, and tribology with Dr Li Shen and Dr Alfredo Fantetti, Dr Su was taken on a tour of the department’s leading laboratories and research centres. These rapid-fire laboratory tours allowed Imperial academics to pitch their cutting-edge research within a compressed timeframe. The tour featured showcases from Dr Bo Lan for the Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) Group, Dr Heli Liu for the Metal Forming and Materials Modelling Group, Dr Andrew Jiaxuan Law for the Sustainable Energy & Transport Technologies Laboratory (SETTL) Group, and co-organiser Professor Guillermo Rein for the Hazelab. Dr Su also visited the Hamlyn Centre with Dr Liyun Ma, and concluded the tour with a showcase of the Electrochemical Science & Engineering (ESE) Group with Dr Monica Marinescu.

Reflecting on the successful day, Professor Guillermo Rein commented: "What Dr Su is doing is what all editors should be doing: going out there and visiting the places where the top research is happening."

Dr Xiangkun (Elvis) Cao extends his sincere thanks to the Department and all the participating colleagues for their incredible support in facilitating the visit and showcasing the high calibre of research happening across the department. Looking ahead, he noted that the Department eagerly anticipates seeing the research that will emerge from this newly launched journal and the impact it will have on the broader field of Mechanical Engineering.