Dr David Fengwei Xie holds a BE degree in Biological Engineering (2004) and a PhD degree in Polysaccharide Engineering (2009) from South China University of Technology (China). He started his research career initially at the University of Guelph (Canada). Then, he spent a productive eight years at The University of Queensland (Australia) where he led a few research projects and studied for a Graduate Certificate degree in Higher Education (2014). In 2017, he moved to the University of Warwick (UK) by accepting a Marie Curie fellowship (actually, it turned out to be two). In 2020, he was awarded a five-year EPSRC Fellowship, which enables him to further work towards his research ambition. While his early studies primarily focused on starch processing, he has developed strong expertise in polymer science and engineering. He is passionate about applying particularly renewable and bio- polymers to addressing pressing challenges in sustainability, environmental, health, and food areas.
Experience
2023–present
Professor, University of Bath
2021–2023
Senior lecturer, Newcastle University
2017–2021
Senior Research Fellow, University of Warwick
2009–2017
Research Fellow, The University of Queensland
2008–2008
Post Doctoral Fellow, University of Guelph
Education
2014
The University of Queensland, GCHEd
2009
South China University of Technology, PhD
2004
South China University of Technology, BE
Publications
2021
Carbohydrate Polymers, Thermomechanically processed chitosan:gelatin films being transparent, mechanically robust and less hygroscopic
2020
ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, Facile preparation of eco-friendly, flexible starch-based materials with ionic conductivity and strain-responsiveness
2020
Composites Science and Technology, Thermomechanical-induced polyelectrolyte complexation between chitosan and carboxymethyl cellulose enabling unexpected hydrolytic stability
2020
Composites Science and Technology, Thermomechanical-induced polyelectrolyte complexation between chitosan and carboxymethyl cellulose enabling unexpected hydrolytic stability
2020
ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, Structural disorganization and chain aggregation of high-amylose starch in different chloride salt solutions
2019
ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, Natural biopolymer alloys with superior mechanical properties
2019
Drug delivery applications of starch biopolymer derivatives,
2017
ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, Facile preparation of starch-based electroconductive films with ionic liquid
2017
Chemical Engineering Journal, One-step method to prepare starch-based superabsorbent polymer for slow release of fertilizer
2013
Carbohydrate Polymers, Effect of the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate on the phase transition of starch: dissolution or gelatinization?
2013
Carbohydrate Polymers, The properties of antimicrobial films derived from poly(lactic acid)/starch/chitosan blended matrix
Grants and Contracts
2021
FROBCO
Role:
PI / Fellow
Funding Source:
EPSRC
2019
ROBBINS
Role:
Fellow
Funding Source:
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme
Professional Memberships
The Royal Society of Chemistry
Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining
Research Areas
Polymers And Plastics (091209)
Food Packaging, Preservation And Safety (090804)
Composite And Hybrid Materials (091202)
Rheology (090408)
Chemical Characterisation Of Materials (030301)
Physical Chemistry Of Materials (030304)
Characterisation Of Biological Macromolecules (030403)