Dr. Thi Dinh Ta | Materials Engineering | Best Researcher Award

University of Wollongong | Australia

Dr. Thi Dinh Ta is a Part-time Lecturer and Research Scientist specializing in Tribology, Lubrication Engineering, and Computational Mechanics at the University of Wollongong (UOW), Australia. With over 12 years of combined industry and academic experience, he has made significant contributions to advanced lubricant development, sustainable manufacturing, and nanotechnology applications in mechanical systems. His interdisciplinary research bridges molecular dynamics simulations, experimental tribology, and industrial problem-solving, earning recognition through ARC grants, international collaborations, and high-impact publications.

Professional profile👤

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Strengths for the Awards✨

1. Outstanding Research Contributions

   • High-Impact Publications: 30+ peer-reviewed papers in Q1/Q2 journals (e.g., Tribology International, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces), with 500+ citations and an h-index of ~12.

   • Interdisciplinary Innovation: Pioneering work in nanolubrication, tribochemistry, and sustainable manufacturing, bridging molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with industrial applications (e.g., ARC-funded projects on eco-friendly lubricants).

   • Key Findings: Demonstrated the role of iron oxides in tribofilm formation (2022) and designed adaptive lubricants for hot rolling (2020), directly impacting energy-efficient manufacturing.

2. Leadership in Competitive Grants

   • Secured $760K+ in research funding as CI/PI, including:

     • ARC Discovery Project DP240102945 ($631K, 2024–2026) on green lubricants.

     • NSFC Grant (RMB 580K, 2021–2023) as Principal Investigator.

   • Collaborated globally (Denmark, China) via CAS President’s Fellowship (2021).

3. Academic & Industrial Impact

   • Teaching & Mentorship: Lectured advanced courses (Finite Element Methods, CFD) and supervised 4 PhD completions.

   • Industry Relevance: Developed solutions for Zn-air batteries (DTU) and offshore gas platforms (PetroVietnam).

4. Recognition & Outreach

   • Invited talks at Leeds-Lyon Symposium and World Tribology Congress.

   • Awards: 1st Class Honors (2011), PhD Scholarship (2012).

Education 🎓📖

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering (2012–2017)

  • University of Wollongong (UOW), Australia

  • Thesis: “Tribological Behavior of Thin-Film Lubricants in Metal Forming Processes”

• Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Aeronautical Engineering (2006–2011)

  • Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Vietnam

  • Graduated with 1st Class Honors

Professional Experience 💼🔧

Academic & Research Roles

• Part-time Lecturer (2024–Present)

  • University of Wollongong (UOW), Australia

  • Courses: Mechanics of Solids (ENGG251), Manufacturing Engineering Principles (MECH382)

• Research Fellow (2022–2024)

  • Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Copenhagen

  • Focus: Electrolyte design for Zn-air batteries, sustainable energy materials

• Associate Research Fellow (2016–2022)

  • University of Wollongong (UOW), Australia

  • Key Projects: ARC Discovery & Linkage grants on adaptive lubricants, pipeline coatings

Industry Experience

• Technical Engineer (2011–2012)

  • PetroVietnam Technical Services (PTSC M&C)

  • Role: Mechanical design for offshore gas platforms (Su Tu Trang Field Project)

Research Interests On Materials Engineering 🔍

1. Advanced Lubrication Science

   • Nano-tribology, boundary lubrication, high-temperature tribofilms.

2. Computational Tribochemistry

   • Ab initio and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of lubricant-surface interactions.

3. Sustainable Manufacturing

   • Eco-friendly lubricants for cold/hot rolling (e.g., ARC DP240102945).

4. Energy Materials

   • Electrolytes for batteries (Zn-air), corrosion-resistant coatings.

Awards & Honors 🏆🎖️

• CAS President’s International Fellowship (2021, China)

• PhD Scholarship (2012–2016, UOW)

• 1st Rank in Aeronautical Engineering (2011, Vietnam)

Publications 📚

• Evolution of microstructure, temperature and stress in a high speed steel work roll during hot rolling: Experiment and modelling
  Authors: GY Deng, Q Zhu, K Tieu, HT Zhu, M Reid, AA Saleh, LH Su, TD Ta, …
  Year: 2017
  Citations: 78

• Adsorption of Normal-Alkanes on Fe(110), FeO(110), and Fe2O3(0001): Influence of Iron Oxide Surfaces
  Authors: TD Ta, AK Tieu, H Zhu, B Kosasih
  Year: 2015
  Citations: 66

• A study of abrasive wear on high speed steel surface in hot rolling by Discrete Element Method
  Authors: HT Phan, AK Tieu, H Zhu, B Kosasih, Q Zhu, A Grima, TD Ta
  Year: 2017
  Citations: 60

• Theoretical and experimental investigation of thermal and oxidation behaviours of a high speed steel work roll during hot rolling
  Authors: GY Deng, HT Zhu, AK Tieu, LH Su, M Reid, L Zhang, PT Wei, X Zhao, …
  Year: 2017
  Citations: 49

• Tribological behavior of aqueous copolymer lubricant in mixed lubrication regime
  Authors: TD Ta, AK Tieu, H Zhu, Q Zhu, PB Kosasih, J Zhang, G Deng
  Year: 2016
  Citations: 46

• Chemical origin of sodium phosphate interactions on iron and iron oxide surfaces by first principle calculations
  Authors: HTT Ta, AK Tieu, H Zhu, H Yu, TD Ta, S Wan, NV Tran, HM Le
  Year: 2018
  Citations: 41

• GPS-based wireless ad hoc network for marine monitoring, search and rescue (MSnR)
  Authors: TD Ta, TD Tran, DD Do, HV Nguyen, YV Vu, NX Tran
  Year: 2011
  Citations: 29

• First-principles study of the adsorption and depolymerization mechanisms of sodium silicate on iron surfaces at high temperature
  Authors: NV Tran, AK Tieu, H Zhu, HTT Ta, TD Ta, HM Le
  Year: 2018
  Citations: 26

• Effect of adding soft Bi2O3 on structural modification and tribological regulation of Ni-5 wt% Al composite coating in wide temperatures range
  Authors: H Sun, G Yi, S Wan, P Shi, J Yang, ST Pham, AK Tieu, TD Ta
  Year: 2021
  Citations: 25

• Computational tribochemistry: A review from classical and quantum mechanics studies
  Authors: HTT Ta, NV Tran, AK Tieu, H Zhu, H Yu, TD Ta
  Year: 2021
  Citations: 24

Conclusion 🌟

Dr. Thi Dinh Ta is a versatile researcher and educator whose work spans fundamental tribology, industrial applications, and sustainable technology development. His expertise in computational modeling, lubricant design, and energy materials positions him as a key contributor to next-generation manufacturing solutions. With a strong record of grants, publications, and mentorship, he continues to drive innovation in mechanical engineering.