Abstract
Precision Glass Molding (PGM) has emerged as a cornerstone manufacturing technology for producing complex optical components in high-performance applications. Despite its widespread use, the fundamental mechanisms governing interfacial adhesion during thermal demolding remain insufficiently understood, which limits process optimization and surface integrity assurance.
This presentation introduces an integrated framework that couples theoretical modeling and numerical simulation with rigorous experimental characterization to quantitatively analyze the interfacial behavior between optical glass and molds under thermo-mechanical loading. Our findings demonstrate that while adhesion forces and residual stresses are highly sensitive to both molding temperature and applied load, the interfacial adhesion strength and cohesive damage evolution are predominantly governed by the debonding temperature.
Furthermore, we present an explicit formula that maps the relationship between molding forces and PGM process parameters. These insights provide a robust foundation for the optimal design and predictive control of PGM processes.
Biography
Prof. Liangchi Zhang is Chair Professor in the Department of Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering at the Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China. He also serves as Director of the Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cross-Scale Manufacturing Mechanics, the SUSTech Institute for Manufacturing Innovation, and the IMI–GLPoly Joint Research Centre. Prior to his current position, Professor Zhang held academic appointments at the University of Cambridge (UK), the National Research Institute for Mechanical Engineering (Japan), as well as the University of Sydney and UNSW Sydney (Australia). He is Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. Prof. Zhang’s research encompasses intelligent manufacturing, materials characterization, nanotechnology and solid mechanics. His work has had a profound impact on the academic community, as reflected in an h-index of 90 and multiple distinctions: ranked among the top 0.03% of highly cited researchers by ScholarGPS in 2026, including World No. 1 in monocrystalline silicon, No. 6 in machine tools, No. 8 in fibre-reinforced plastics, No. 13 in process engineering andNo. 81 in manufacturing; recognition in Stanford University’s list of the “Top 2% of the World’s Leading Scientists”; and designation as an Elsevier Highly Cited Scholar in Mechanics, among others. Beyond academia, Prof. Zhang’s research has delivered substantial economic benefits to the global manufacturing industry, valued at tens of millions of US dollars annually. He has received numerous prestigious awards and honors.
