Professor Yiu-Wing Mai is distinguished for seminal work on fracture mechanics and materials science of advanced engineering materials. He joined the University of Sydney in 1976. In recent years, Mai has focused his research efforts on polymer nanocomposites in which nano-sized particles (<100 nm) are incorporated into polymer matrices. He is making important continuing contributions on the

basic understanding of the deformation, failure and toughening mechanisms of polymer nanocomposites;
new syntheses and fabrication methods of multi-scale hierarchical reinforcements; and
multifunctional applications such as fire retardancy, permeability, optical transparency, electrical and thermal conductivities, and cathodes/anodes in Li-ion batteries.
Mai's research results have also influenced engineering practice with global impact. Some examples are the developments of asbestos-free cements using cellulose fibres (James Hardie Coy Pty Ltd), superhard machining tools coated with nanocomposites (General Motors, China), testing protocol for essential work of fracture (ESIS-TC4), and improved composites manufacturing processes, such as pultrusion, thermoforming and stitching/z-pinning (Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Composite Structures).