Biqiong Chen is a Professor of Polymer Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB). She obtained her PhD from Queen Mary, University of London. Prior to joining QUB in 2017, she held academic posts at Trinity College Dublin and the University of Sheffield. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM) and the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC). 

Biqiong’s research interests are mainly focussed on polymer nanocomposites, aiming to gain a sound scientific understanding of their formation and reinforcement/toughening mechanisms, whilst also creating advanced polymer nanocomposites with controllable morphologies and properties for a variety of applications including healthcare, energy and general engineering.  To achieve these aims, her research takes a holistic approach, encompassing synthesis, functionalisation, processing, characterisation and application of polymers, nanoparticles and polymer nanocomposites.  Her current research activities cover the following topics:

• Polymer-clay nanocomposites

• Polymer-graphene nanocomposites

• Polymer-cellulose nanocomposites

• Stimuli-responsive polymer nanocomposites

• Strong and tough polymer nanocomposite hydrogels

• Biomimetic elastomers and elastomer nanocomposites for soft tissue engineering

• Novel elastomer nanocomposites for stretchable electronics

• Sustainable polymers and polymer nanocomposites

• Multifunctional nanoparticles for various biomedical applications