Dr Haopeng Wang, Lecturer in Structural Engineering Materials at the University of Liverpool, has been awarded a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowship. The prestigious five-year award will fund his research into prefabricated asphalt panels for road construction and maintenance.
Dr Wang's project, titled Prefabricated Rollable Pavement Systems for Modular Integrated Road Construction, will combine modular asphalt panels with induction-activated reversible bonding technologies. The approach aims to allow road surfaces to be rapidly installed, removed, repaired and reused.
Research goals and benefits
The research programme is designed to reduce construction times and minimise disruption to road users. It has the potential to reduce material waste, lower carbon emissions and support more sustainable transport infrastructure. The interdisciplinary team will investigate new materials, bonding mechanisms and modular construction methods.
Dr Wang said: "I am delighted to have been awarded a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowship. This Fellowship will enable me to pursue an ambitious interdisciplinary research programme that reimagines how roads are constructed and maintained. By combining innovative pavement materials with reversible bonding technologies, we aim to develop road systems that can be rapidly installed, removed and reused, helping to reduce carbon emissions, minimise disruption to road users and support a more sustainable and circular future for transport infrastructure."
Partners and collaborators
The research will bring together expertise from the universities of Nottingham and Warwick, National Highways, Liverpool City Council and Rosehill Polymers Group. Collaborators will work across pavement engineering, polymer science, electromagnetic induction, systems engineering and life-cycle assessment.
About the fellowship scheme
Dr Wang is one of 13 early-career researchers selected for a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowship this year. The scheme supports outstanding early-career researchers in developing independent research programmes over five years, helping them build the expertise and leadership skills needed to become future research leaders.
Dr Christina Guindy, Associate Director of Research Programmes at the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: "This year's incredible awardees embody the Academy's mission of Engineering a Better Future. From addressing long-overlooked challenges in women's healthcare to advancing pioneering research in areas like AI and clean energy, these researchers are pushing the boundaries of engineering innovation. Supporting early-career researchers is essential to strengthening the UK's global competitiveness and economic growth, while helping to develop the next generation of research leaders whose work will shape our future."