At the invitation of Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMR, CAS), Prof. Karl Ulrich Kainer, former director of the Materials Research Institute of the Helmholtz Center in Germany, Director of the Magnesium Innovation Center, and former president of the International Magnesium Association, visited IMR from April 26 to 27, 2024. Prof. CHEN Xingqiu, the Deputy Party Secretary (presiding) and vice director of IMR, presided over the reception activity. Prof. YANG Yuansheng, Prof. CHEN Rongshi, Prof. JIN Haijun and Prof. LI Yingju participated in the reception.

During the visit, Prof. Kainer delivered a lecture entitled "The future of magnesium alloys as structural materials and their potential new applications - an European perspective". In his lecture, he introduced the latest progress and future development trend of magnesium alloy materials, as well as the application of magnesium alloy in transportation, biomedical and other fields. The report received a warm response from the researchers and graduate students, and they had a heated discussion with Prof. Kainer. During the visit, Prof. Kainer also had in-depth exchanges with relevant research team researchers and graduate students.

Prof. Karl Ulrich Kainer is the former President of the International Magnesium Alloy Association, former head of the Materials Research Institute and Magnesium Innovation Center at the Helmholtz Center, full professor at the Wroclaw University of Technology, and recipient of the Japanese Government Foreign Experts Research Award, the Hertha von Feinberg Fellowship, and the Ford Research Award. He graduated from Clausthal Technical University with a PhD. He has published 418 ISI indexed papers, has an H-index of 56. He has published more than 500 papers in proceedings and non-listed journals, and has given more than 160 invited lectures, and holds 17 granted patents. He has made important contributions to the development, processing, interface and mechanical properties of light metal matrix composites, and focused on magnesium alloy and its processing technology, becoming one of the leading scientists in magnesium alloy research, with important international influence.

Prof. Karl Ulrich Kainer delivers a lecture. (Image by IMR)

Prof. Karl Ulrich Kainer communicates with IMR researchers. (Image by IMR)

Prof. Karl Ulrich Kainer and the research team (Image by IMR)

Prof. Karl Ulrich Kainer and the research team (Image by IMR)