01/2008 – 05/2011: PhD at Department of Materials, University of Oxford

10/2005 – 10/2007: Master at Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Christian-Albrechts-Universitt zu Kiel (Germany)

10/2001 - 07/2004: Mater in Mass Communication, Fudan University, Shanghai

10/1996 - 07/2000: BS in Materials Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai

2023.7-present: Tenured Associate Professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2017.11-Present: Honorary Lecturer, Imperial College London, UK
2017.11-2023.7: Tenure track Associate Professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2014.8-2017.10: Research Fellow, Imperial College London, UK
2011.6-2014.7: Posdoc and EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellow, Imperial College London, UK

Design and understanding of nanoscale structure and chemistry in controlling material properties for improving materials design and processing.
Current research activity is mainly focused on processing and characterization of advanced ceramic materials for harsh environmental applications, including solid oxide fuel and electrolysis cells, nuclear power coatings, ultra-high temperature thermal protection systems, etc.

PI of multiple projects:
2023–2026.12 Shanghai Municipal Major Project: Subproject "Fundamental Theory and Key Technologies of Renewable Synthetic Fuels," Key Technology of Solid Oxide Electrolysis Single Cells and Stacks,
2021-2024 Flash sintering of solid oxide fuel cell structures, National Natural Science Foundation of China
2020-2021 Advanced ceramic coatings for accident-tolerant nuclear fuels, Science and Technology
Foundation of State Key Laboratory
2020-2021 Thermal and microstructural characterization of ceramic matrix composites, the commission of science and technology
2019-2023 Novel carbides for high ablation resistant ceramic matrix composites, National Natural Science Foundation of China
2018-2019 Design and property of MAX interphase in ceramic matrix composites, Shanghai Pujiang Program（18PJ1406500）

In UK：
• 2016.10-2020.10：Corrosion mechanisms of MAX phase coatings for nuclear applications
EPSRC and Westinghouse funding
• 2015.10-至2019.10: Helium bubble formation in FCC Metals
EPSRC and AWE funding
• 2015.6月-2019.5： “Carbides for Future Fission Environments (CAFFE)"
EPSRC funding（EP/M018563/1）
• 2014.8-2017.7：Interfaces in solid oxide fuel cells
Imperial College Research Fellowship
• 2011.6-2012.9：Mass Transport at metal/oxide interfaces
EPSRC Doctoral Prize fellowship

Currently have published ~60 papers with a total citation of over 3500

* Corresponding author; # Co-First Author
2024年：
62) Y. Shi, H. Zhang, G. Ren, W. Xiao, L. Li, Y. Hu, K.M. Reddy, X. Zhao, L. Zhu, N. Ni*, Role of mixed entropy in sintering of manganite-based perovskite oxides: Faster densification with delayed grain growth, Acta Materialia, 2024, 271: 119906
61) H. Zhang, G. Ren, P. Jia, X. Zhao, N Ni*, Development of machine learning force field for thermal conductivity analysis in MoAlB: Insights into anisotropic heat transfer mechanisms, Ceramics International, 2024, 50(8): 13740-13749
60) W. Hao*, X. Lu, L. Li, T. Wang, G. Ren, H. Cai, X. Zhao, D. Wang, N Ni*, Toughened (Ti0.2Zr0.2Hf0.2Nb0.2Ta0.2)B2-SiC composites fabricated by one-step reactive sintering with a unique SiB6 additive, Journal of Advanced Ceramics, 2024, 13(1): 86-100
59) Jun Tong, Na Ni,* Baowen Zhou, Chongqing Yang, Kolan Madhav Reddy, Hengyong Tu, Yusi Liu, Zhe Tan, Longkai Xiang, Haozhen Li, Xing Zhou, Yunyi Zhang, Yixin Li, Hanchao Zhang, Lei Zhu,* and Zhen Huang, Toward High CO Selectivity and Oxidation Resistance Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell with High-Entropy Alloy, ACS Catalysis, 2024, 14: 2897-2907
58) Chen Xu, Jinmao He, Zixu Chen, Guoliang Zhao, Shikui Cai, Na Ni, Tianwei Liu,Two-step reactive flash sintering of high entropy pyrochlore: Densification, grain growth, and microstructural homogeneity, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 2024, 107(2): 797-802
57) B. Wang, Z. He, Q. Ding, H. Cai, H. Zhang, Q. Zeng, G. Li, C. Zhao, N. Ni*, B. Wang*, Improved measurement of local thermal conductivities of coatings by the steady-state Raman spectroscopy method: A case study in TRISO particles, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 2024, 44(3), 1412-1420
56) H. Zhang, G. Ren, L. Li, Y. Shi, X. Zhao, N. Ni*, Enhancing oxidation resistance of MoAlB based on its anisotropic oxidation mechanism: A theoretical calculation guided experimental investigation, Acta Materialia, 2024, 262, 119431

2023年：
55) Y.Y. Zhao, J. Tang, H.L. Xu, L. Zhu, N. Ni*, Improved Densification in Cold Sintering of Gadolinia-Doped Ceria with Reactive Sintering Aids, Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 2023, 107 (3): 1459-1467 (Editor's Choice paper)
54) W. W. Xiao, N. Ni*#,W.L.Cheng, Y. Z. Li, C.L. Zheng, Y.L. Yu, D. Peng, Reduced interfacial stresses in laminated ceramics during flash sintering enabled by an extremely low uniaxial viscosity, Acta Materialia, 2023, 246(1): 118688
53) N. Ni, Q. Ding, Y. Shi, J. Jiang, L Li, R. Zhang, X Liu, Y. Fan, Ablation behavior of high-entropy carbides ceramics (Hf0.2Zr0.2Ta0.2Nb0.2Ti0.2)C upon exposition to an oxyacetylene torch at 2000 °C, Journal of the European Ceramic Society 2023, 43(6): 2306-2319

2022年：
52) N. Ni*, H.C. Zhang, Y.C. Zhou, Electronic structure, bonding characteristics, and mechanical behaviors of a new family of Si-containing damage-tolerant MAB phases M5SiB2 (M = IVB—VIB transition metals), Journal of Advanced Ceramics, 2022, 11(10): 1626–1640. DOI: 10.1007/s40145-022-0636-9
51) N. Ni*,W. W. Xiao, C. L. Zheng, J. Jiang, Y. L. Yu, W. Hao, M.Tang, H. Shen, D. Peng, Flash cosintering of a lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite nanofibre/Gd-doped ceria bilayer structure, Journal of the European Ceramic Society 2022, 42(6): 2870-2878
50) Y. Shi, N. Ni*, Q. Ding and X. Zhao, Tailoring high-temperature stability and electrical conductivity of high entropy lanthanum manganite for solid oxide fuel cell cathodes, Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2022,10, 2256-2270

2021年：
49) S Li, N Ni*, B Wu, C Li, Q Ding, Z He*, Ti3SiC2 interphase coating in SiCf/SiC composites: Effect of the coating fabrication atmosphere and temperature, Journal of the European Ceramic Society (2021), 41 (12), 5850-5862
48) X.H. Fan*，N Ni*, X Wang, W Hao, F Guo, X Zhao, Mechanically isotropic alumina prepared by spark plasma sintering: The role of pyrolytic carbon and multilayer graphene, Journal of the European Ceramic Society (2021), 41 (7), 4242-4251
47) J. Jiang, N Ni*, W Xiao, X Zhao, F Guo, X Fan, Q Ding, W Hao, P Xiao, Robust ceramic nanofibrous membranes with ultra-high water flux and nanoparticle rejection for self-standing ultrafiltration, Journal of the European Ceramic Society (2021), 41 (7), 4264-4272
46) W.Hao, N. Ni*, T.Y. Liu, L. Zhou, Y. Yao, L. Li, J. Jiang, Y.C. Shi, X.F. Zhao and P. Xiao, Ablation resistance of HfC(Si, O)-HfB2(Si, O) composites fabricated by one-step reactive spark plasma sintering, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, (2021) 41(4): 2226-2238
45) W. W. Xiao#, N. Ni#*, X. H. Fan, X.F. Zhao, Y.Z. Liu and P. Xiao, Ambient fabrication of reduced graphene oxide/zirconia composites by flash sintering: role of reduced graphene oxide, Journal of Materials Science and Technology, (2021), 60: 70-76
44) B.B.Wu, N. Ni*, X.H. Fan, X.F. Zhao, F.W. Guo, Q. Ding and P. Xiao, Scheelite coatings on SiC fiber: Effect of coating temperature and atmosphere, Ceramics International, (2021), 47(2): 1693-1703

2020年：
43) N. Ni*, W. Hao, T.Y. Liu, L. Zhou, F.W Guo, X.F. Zhao and P. Xiao, Oxidation/ablation behaviors of hafnium carbide-silicon carbonitride systems at 1500 and 2500 C, Ceramics International, (2020) 46 (15): 23840-23853
42) Qi Ding, Dewei Ni*, Na Ni, Youlin Jiang, Bowen Chen, Xiaowu Chen, Jun Lu, Yaran Niu, Haijun Zhou, and Shaoming Dong. Thermal damage and microstructure evolution mechanisms of Cf/SiBCN composites during plasma ablation. Corrosion Science (2020), 169: 108621
41) W. Hao, N. Ni*, Yi Guo, H.Y. Cai, X.H. Fan, Y. Yao, X.F. Zhao and P. Xiao, Strong and tough HfC-HfB2 solid-solution composites obtained by reactive sintering with a novel SiB6 additive, Ceramics International, (2020) 46 (10): 16257-16265
40) B.B.Wu, N. Ni*, X.F. Zhao; X.H. Fan; P. Xiao and F.W. Guo, Strength retention in scheelite coated SiC fibers: Effect of the gas composition and pre-heat treatment, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 40 (2020):2801-2810
39) B. Wu, N. Ni*, X. Fan, X. Zhao, P. Xiao and F. Guo, Strength degradation of SiC fibers with a porous ZrB2-SiC coating: Role of the coating porous structure, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 40 (2020): 961-971
38) X. Li, X. Fan*, N. Ni*, X. Zhao, C. Li and P. Xiao, Continuous alumina fiber-reinforced yttria-stabilized zirconia composites with high density and toughness, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 40 (2020): 1539-1548
37) Wenfu Chen, Xiao Shan, Jianghua Li, Yi Guo, Fangwei Guo, Xiaofeng Zhao, Na Ni* and Ping Xiao, Effects of iron and platinum on the isothermal oxidation of β-NiAl overlay coatings fabricated by spark plasma sintering, Surface and Coatings Technology (2020), 382: 125178
36) J. Jiang, N. Ni* Xf. Zhao, FW. Guo, XH. Fan, P. Xiao, Flexible and robust YAG-Al2O3 composite nanofibrous membranes enabled by a hybrid nanocrystalline-amorphous structure, Journal of the European Ceramic Society (2020), 40(6): 2463-2469
35) W. Hao, N. Ni*, Yi Guo, Chuanwei Li, Xiaohui Fan, Weiwei Xiao, Xiaofeng Zhao and Ping Xiao, Densification, strengthening and toughening in hafnium carbide with the addition of silicon carbonitride, Journal of American Ceramic Society, (2020), 103(5): 3286-3298

2019年：
34) J Jiang, N Ni*, W. Hao, X. Zhao, F. Guo, X. Fan and P. Xiao, Effects of sintering atmosphere on the densification and microstructure of yttrium aluminum garnet fibers prepared by sol-gel process, Journal of the European Ceramic Society (2019), 39 (16): 5332-5337
33) N Ni*, Cheng Cheng Wang, San Ping Jiang and Stephen J. Skinner, Synergistic effects of temperature and polarization on Cr poisoning of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-d solid oxide fuel cell cathodes, Journal of Materials Chemistry A (2019), 7, 9253-9262
32) X. Xie, B. Liu, R. Liu, X. Zhao, N.Ni and P Xiao, Comparison of hydrothermal corrosion behavior of SiC with Al2O3 and Al2O3 + Y2O3 sintering additives, Journal of American Ceramic Society, 102 (2019): 5555–5564
31) X. Xie, B. Liu, Y. Guo, R. Liu, X. Zhao, N.Ni*, F. Guo, and P Xiao, Effect of hydrothermal corrosion on the fracture strength of SiC layer in TRISO fuel particles, Journal of American Ceramic Society (2019) 102, 5555–5564
30) WF.Chen, L. He, Y. Guo, X Shan, JH Li, FW Guo, XF Zhao, N. Ni*, P. Xiao, Effects of reactive element oxides on the isothermal oxidation ofβ-NiAl coatings fabricated by spark plasma sintering, Surface and Coatings Technology, 367 (2019), 322-331
29) W. Hao, N. Ni*, F. Guo, F. Cao, J. Jiang, X. Zhao*, P. Xiao, High fracture toughness of HfC through nano‐scale templating and novel sintering aids, Journal of American Ceramic Society (2019), 102(3):997-1009

2018年以前：
28) DL．Jin#, N. Ni#, Y. Guo, ZH. Zou, X.Wang, FW. Guo, XF. Zhao, P. Xiao, Corrosion of the bonding at FeCrAl/Zr alloy interfaces in steam, Journal of nuclear materials, 508 (2018) 411-422
27) C. Ferraro, S. Meille, J. Réthoré, N. Ni, J. Chevalier, E. Saiz, Strong and tough metal/ceramic micro-laminates. Acta Materialia, 144 (2018) 202–215.
26) FM.Pesc, M. Sokolikova, C. Grotta, PC. Sherrell, F. Reale, K. Sharda, N. Ni, P. Palczynski, C. Mattevi, MoS2/WS2 heterojunction for photoelectrochemical water oxidation, ACS Catalysis, 7 (2017), 4990–4998
25) E. García-Tuñón, VG. Rocha, C. Botas, F. Markoulidis, E. Feilden, Ezra, E. D'Elia, N. Ni, M. Shaffer and E. Saiz, Multi-material 3D printing of Graphene-based electrodes for Electrochemical Energy Storage using Thermo-Responsive Inks. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 9 (2017) 37136–37145
24) S.-R. G. Christopoulos, E. Zapata-Solvas, N. Ni, W. E. Lee, A. Chroneos, Experimental synthesis and DFT investigation of radiation tolerance of Zr₃(Al₁–ₓ,Siₓ)C₂ MAX phases, Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 100 (2017) 1377-1387.
23) P. Olivia, VG. Rocha, C. Ferraro, N. Ni, T. Peijs, M.J. Reece and E. Saiz, Using graphene networks to build bio-inspired self-monitoring ceramics. Nature Communications, 14425 (2017).
22) E. Feilden*, T. Giovannini, N. Ni*, C. Ferraro, L. Vandeperre, E. Saiz and F. Giuliani, Micromechanical Strength of Individual Al2O3 Platelets, Script Materialia, 131 (2017) 55-58.
21) N. Ni*, S. Samuel, R. Williams, N. Kemen, D. McComb and S. Skinner, Degradation of (La0.6Sr0.4)0.95(Co0.2Fe0.8)O3-δsolid oxide fuel cell cathodes at the nanoscale and below. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 8 (2016) 17360-70
20) N.Nasiri, P Niranjan, N. Ni, D. Jayaseelan, W. Lee, Oxidation behaviour of SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composite in air, Journal of European Ceramic Society, 36 (2016) 3293–3302
19) N. Ni*, S. Skinner, Combined Cr and Mo poisoning of (La,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3 − δ solid oxide fuel cell cathodes at the nanoscale. Solid State Ionics, 288 (2016) 28-31
18) N. Ni*, S. Barg, FM Perez, E. Saiz. Understanding the mechanical response of elastomeric graphene networks. Scientific Reports, 13712(2015).
17) E. D’Elia, S. Barg, N. Ni, VG. Rocha, E. Saiz, Self-healing graphene-based composites with sensing capabilities. Advanced Materials, 27 (2015) 32.
16) M. Boix, S.Eslava, N. Ni, E. Saiz, J. De Coninck, ATR-FTIR measurements of albumin and fibrinogen adsorption: Inert versus calcium phosphate ceramics. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research A. 103 (2015) 3493-502
15) N. Al Nasiri, N. Ni, E. Saiz, J. Wang, J. Chevalier, L.J. Vandeperre and F. Giuliani, Effect of microstructure and grain boundary chemistry on slow crack growth in silicon carbide at ambient conditions. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 35 (2015) 2253-2260.
14) R. Nicholls, N. Ni, S. Lozano-Perez, A. London, DW. McComb, PD. Nellist, C. R.M. Grovenor, C. J. Pickard, J. R. Yates, Crystal structure of the ZrO phase at zirconium / zirconium oxide interfaces. Advanced Energy Materials, 17 (2015) 211-215
13) J Hu, A. Garner, N. Ni, A. Gholinia, R. Nicholls, S. Lozano-Perez, et al. Identifying suboxide grains at the metal–oxide interface of a corroded Zr–1.0%Nb alloy using (S)TEM, transmission-EBSD, and EELS. Micron, 69 (2015) 35-42
12) S. Taub, K. Neuhaus, H. Wiemhöfer, Na Ni, J. Kilner, A. Atkinson, The effects of Co and Cr on the electrical conductivity of cerium gadolinium oxide, Solid State Ionics, 282 (2015) 54-62
11) S. Barg, FM Perez, N. Ni, P. Pereira. RC Maher, E. Garcia-Tuñon, S.Agnoli, S Eslava, C. Mattevi and E Saiz, Mesoscale Assembly of Chemically Modified Graphene into Complex Cellular Networks. Nature Communications, 5 (2014) 4328.
10) N. Ni*, Y. Kaufmann, WD. Kaplan, E. Saiz, The interfacial properties and mass transport in Ni(Al)/Al2O3 System: An implication of very low oxygen activity. Acta Materialia, 64 (2013) 282-296.
9) C. Walter, S. Barg, N. Ni, R.C. Maher, E. Garcia-Tunon, E. Saiz, A novel approach for the fabrication of hybrid CNT/ceramic porous structure, Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 33 (2013) 2365-2374.
8) S. Yardley, K. Moore, N. Ni, JF, Wei, S. Lyon, M. Preuss, S. Lozano-Perez, CRM Grovenor, An investigation of the oxidation behaviour of zirconium alloys using isotopic tracers and high-resolution SIMS, Journal of Nuclear Materials, 443 (2013) 436-443
7) N. Ni*, D. Hudson, J. Wei, P. Wang, S. Lozano-Perez, G. Smith, J. Sykes, S. Yardley, K. Moore, S. Lyon, R. Cottis, M. Preuss, C. Grovenor, How the crystallography and nano-scale chemistry of the metal/oxide interface develops during the aqueous oxidation of zirconium cladding alloys, Acta Materialia, 60 (2012) 7132-7149
6) N. Ni*, S. Lozano-Perez, J. Sykes, C. Grovenor, Multi-scale characterisation of oxide on zirconium alloys, Materials at High Temperatures 29 (2012) 166-170.
5) N. Ni*, S. Lozano-Perez, J. Sykes, C. Grovenor, Focused Ion Beam sectioning for the 3-D characterization of cracking in oxide scales formed on commercial ZIRLOT alloys during corrosion in high temperature pressurised water, Corrosion Science,53 (2011) 4073-4083.
4) N. Ni*, S. Lozano-Perez, J. Sykes, C. Grovenor, Quantitative EELS analysis of zirconium alloy metal/oxide interfaces, Ultramicroscopy, 111 (2011) 123-130.
3) C. Harnish, N. Ni, A.Kulkarni, V. Zaporojtchenko, T. Strunskus, F. Faupel, Fast electrical response to volatile organic compounds of 2D Au nanoparticle layers embedded into polymers, Journal of Materials Science, 46 (2011) 438-445.
2) N. Ni*, S. Lozano-Perez, M.L. Jenkins, C. English, G.D.W. Smith, J.M. Sykes, CRM Grovenor, Porosity in oxides on zirconium fuel cladding alloys, and its importance in controlling oxidation rates, Scripta Materialia, 62 (2010) 564-567.
1) S Lozano-Perez, N Ni, K Kruska, T Terachi, T Yamada, FIB sequential sectioning as a tool to understand environmental materials degradation in 3D, Journal of the Institute of Nuclear Safety System, 17 (2010) 188-199

Undergraduate Course：Introduction to Engineering
Graduate Course: High Temperature Materials for Advanced Engineering Applications

Council Member, Special Ceramics Branch, Chinese Ceramic Society
Council Member, Ceramic Branch, Chinese Crystallographic Society

2018 Shanghai Pujiang Talent
2015 The Science and Technology Facilities Council UK Early Career Plus Award