Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc: The person who brought Vietnamese materials science to the world

From articles published in the world's leading prestigious scientific journals, to building a strong research school on advanced materials and structures, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc - Head of the Faculty of Construction and Transport Technology, Hanoi National University has contributed to affirming the position of Vietnamese science on the international research map.

Pioneer in new materials research

While many colleagues are still attached to traditional fields, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc has chosen a difficult path: Research on composite materials and advanced structures. These are fields that require knowledge of modern mechanics, mathematics, physics, and at the same time require a vision for application in high-tech industry.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc - Head of the Faculty of Construction and Transport Technology, Hanoi National University contributes to affirming the position of Vietnamese science on the international research map.

One of his special marks is the research on three-phase composite materials - materials combining glass fibers, polymer matrix and nanoparticles. The introduction of nanoparticles into the core of the material helps to increase mechanical strength, heat resistance, electrical insulation, opening up the possibility of wide application in shipbuilding, civil, energy and defense.

The highlight of the Professor's scientific journey is the focus on research on new materials in the world today such as super heat-resistant nano-carbon composite materials used in national security and defense; multi-phase polymer composite materials, applied in shipbuilding technology and civil products; advanced materials and structures such as FGM, auxetic, pentagraphin and smart materials, with variable physical and mechanical properties, high durability, high temperature resistance, electrical insulation, heat insulation, applied in industry, energy, information storage, microchips and semiconductors. These are all advanced and modern research directions in the world today.

Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc does not stop at classical calculation tools. He and his research team have pioneered the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into material and structural design. AI helps to significantly shorten simulation time, predict material properties more accurately, opening up the possibility of designing "tailor-made" materials for each application.

Professor Nguyen Dinh Duc enthusiastically imparts knowledge to generations of students.

International publication - proof of integration

Through persistent efforts, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc has become one of the Vietnamese scientists with the most international publications in the field of mechanics of materials and structures. In the 5-year period 2020-2025 alone, Prof. Nguyen Dinh Duc is the author of 86 articles published in prestigious ISI journals, 100% of which are in the Q1 and Q2 groups, especially 17 articles (accounting for 19.7% of international publications) in the group of ISI journals in the top 5% of the world.

His three latest international works are a clear demonstration of his integration. In 2024, in Aerospace Science and Technology , he published the article "Nonlinear vibration analysis of a double curved shallow sandwich shell…" . This research focuses on a curved shell sandwich structure with a three-phase nanocomposite core and an electromagnetic outer layer. This is an ultra-light, durable structure, used in aircraft and spacecraft. The nonlinear mathematical model he developed allows for accurate vibration prediction, thereby optimizing the design to ensure safety in harsh conditions.

In 2025, in the European Journal of Mechanics A/Solids , he and his colleagues published the work "Tilted indentation by a flat-ended punch on an anisotropic magnetoelectroelastic half-plane" . Magnetoelectroelastic materials have the ability to combine mechanics - electricity - magnetism, which is the basis for developing a generation of precise sensors for aviation, biomedicine, and smart robots. Also this year, the Taylor & Francis system published the work "Nonlinear and linear free vibrations analysis of sandwich plates with auxetic cores..." . The article is the first to comprehensively analyze the linear and nonlinear free vibrations of auxetic core sandwich panels - a material with a negative expansion coefficient, meaning it expands in both directions when subjected to tension. This unique property opens up applications in defense, aviation, and construction.

These three representative articles show the diversity in his research direction: from nanocomposites, multi-field materials to auxetic materials, all of which are closely linked to the world's advanced material trends.

Building the Vietnamese scientific school

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc established the Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Structures at the Vietnam National University, Hanoi , bringing together many generations of young researchers. From there, a school of science on advanced materials and structures was formed at the Vietnam National University and in Vietnam. At the same time, this is also a place to train PhDs, Masters, and engineers, who will continue to spread knowledge domestically and internationally.

Many of his students have had international publications while still in school, and many are now lecturers and researchers at prestigious universities. The school of science on advanced materials and structures that he built is helping Vietnam cooperate equally with major laboratories in the world.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Duc is currently a member of the Editorial Board of many prestigious international journals such as Aerospace Science and Technology (Elsevier), Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science (SAGE), ZAMM (Wiley), Acta Mechanica (Springer). He is also regularly invited to be a plenary speaker at major international conferences. This is a recognition of the academic position of a Vietnamese scientist in the international arena./.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/gstskh-nguyen-dinh-duc-nguoi-dua-khoa-hoc-vat-lieu-viet-nam-vuon-tam-the-gioi-197250925185508403.htm