Xiguang Li
Xiguang Li
Biography
Education
Ph.D of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX - 2015
Joint Ph.D of Material Engineering, Arts et Metiers ParisTech, France - 2015
Master of Science in Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA - 2008
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Nanjing University, China - 2005
Industrial Experience
2023- present: Principal Engineer, Harman International, MI
2017-2022: Application Specialist, Huntsman International, MI
2015-2017: Scientist, Polyglass USA, FL
Overview
Please give a brief summation of your day-to-day work.
HARMAN is a global company that designs and manufactures consumer and professional audio products, as well as automotive electronics and audio systems. Through industry‑leading innovation and close customer collaboration, HARMAN engineers the future of connectivity.
I am accountable for leading the Adhesives and Soft Materials team across the global organization. My day‑to‑day work includes supporting new product development through project meetings, managing suppliers through raw‑material testing, and providing technical expertise to support product manufacturing at sites across multiple countries.
How do you use rheology in your day-to day work?
In the first two years of my career at Polyglass, I applied rheology to characterize pressure‑sensitive adhesives for construction products. During my five years at Huntsman, I used rheological techniques extensively in the product development of polyurethane foams and adhesives. In my current role at Harman, rheology is a key tool since we design rheological and mechanical tests to gain insight into material performance under harsh environmental conditions, including high and low temperatures and varying humidity levels. We also perform advanced rheological testing for raw‑material quality control and to help define and optimize product assembling parameters.
Cyanoacrylate adhesive (CA) or ‘instant glue’
Here is an example: Cyanoacrylate adhesives (CA), commonly known as “instant glues”, are broadly used in manufacturing due to their fast curing rate with surface moisture and high strength. However, to overcome the brittleness of CA, acrylic rubbers are often mixed in commercial CA compositions.
Upon the curing of cyanoacrylate monomer, phase separation of the rubbers occurs and changes the final performance of CA. Here in a DMA study of cured CA samples (Reference: Investigating phase separation in elastomer-toughened adhesives with DMA - NETZSCH Analyzing & Testing ), sample 2 was cured relatively slower compared to sample 1 and we can see the Tg peak of rubber ( around -40°C) significantly more visible in Sample 2, which indicating a rubber phase separation. Generally speaking, a certain extent of rubber phase separation improves the ductility of CA but too much phase separation generates many other problems. Therefore, using rheology knowledge with DMA can understand this phenomenon comprehensively and help a lot in both CA formulation and application process.
DMA study of cured CA samples. Reproduced from: Investigating phase separation in elastomer-toughened adhesives with DMA - NETZSCH Analyzing & Testing
What inspired you to become a scientist and/or pursue a career in your specific field?
Driven by a childhood curiosity about how materials work and are made, I pursued a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Chemistry, as well as a PhD in Chemical Engineering with a focus on rheology and material science.
When did you decide to pursue a career in industry/government?
Once I visited the Polymer science department at University of Akron and learned the story of how scientists developed synthetic rubbers during World War II, the passion of developing new materials to enrich people’s daily life started to touch me. Also, my joint PhD time in ParisTech gave me opportunities to exposure to industry work.
What has been the most rewarding part of your career thus far?
So far the most rewarding part of my career is that I have opportunity to work across different industry fields, and geographies / cultures, to deliver products that enrich people’s daily life.
How has involvement with The Society of Rheology helped to shape/influence your career?
My first Society of Rheology meeting was in 2010 in Santa Fe with my advisor, Prof Gregory McKenna. And in 2014 I was awarded the student travel fund to attend the SoR meeting in Philadelphia and represented my research on mechanical study of the nano-structure of graphene confined by polymer thin films. During my early career, most of my network started withprofessors and industrial researchers in attendance here.
After completing formal education, what is one new skill set that you developed/acquired that has been critical for your career?
How to present scientific results or ideals to audiences with different backgrounds.
What are the two most important non-technical skills for a career in science?
Communications and Collaborations
What was the biggest challenge moving from academia into your current career?
In industry, business goals are different from the academic interest. First, the product development guided by business goals are practical and run within relatively short term. Second, business situation often changes therefore the product development work needs to be flexible and keep a balance between finding solutions and obtaining knowledge.
What is one piece of advice you wish you had received earlier in your career?
It is your career, so always think yourself how to drive it to success.
What advice would you give to students making the transition to their first job?
When we were in graduate school, most of the research work was finished by ourselves individually. However, in industry, it is always starting with a small team and finally finished by large team (i.e., marketing, sales & manufacturing). Therefore, a mindset of communication and collaboration is a key for our career.
What advice would you give to students considering graduate school?
First, never forget your work-life balance. Second, take chances to learn some other courses (i.e., coding & finance). They can broaden your vision and help you a lot when working with others.
Looking towards the future, what are you most excited about in your career and/or science?
We are truly standing at a new stage where both technology and manufacturing face significant challenges and opportunities. AI will drive new solution where the data obtained from instrumentations, i.e., rheological tools, can help a lot.
If you could meet and have lunch with one scientist (past or present), who would it be and why?
Nobel Laureate Pierre-Gilles de Gennes , for his intuition in condensed matter physics.
Mentorship
How has mentorship impacted your career?
Having mentors who gave me both technical advice and sharing of company culture was very helpful especially when I moved to industry.
From the mentor perspective, what advice would you give to others serving as mentors?
Being not only a mentor, but also a friend to listen to the problems from your mentee
From the mentee perspective, what advice would you give to mentees?
Always prepare questions and keep a loop of feedback.
Collaborations
What advice would you give to individuals that are either starting and/or leading collaborations between companies?
Make sure your legal department have made agreements that can benefit both sides (supplier and customers). Always being respectful and working together.
What challenges and benefits have you seen from collaborations between academia and industry?
Industry seeks deep understanding to obtain solution fast, but the response from academia usually is slow.
For hiring managers
What pointers would you give to first time job seeking students?
Start your network from school’s alumni and industrial friends met in conferences. Also try a mock interview at your school’s career center before formal interviews.
When is the optimum time to start looking for jobs during graduate school?
I feel at least start looking at job market and preparing from the last summer before your last school year.
Does flexibility in job search play a role in current times, especially when the job market seems to be highly competitive?
I would say not only think about flexibility, but also keep watching opportunity widely. You may start a position which is not exactly within your interesting area, but within a good industry field / company.