Research and expertise
I am a Doctoral Researcher at the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering at Loughborough University, specialising in early-age autogenous shrinkage mitigation strategies of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC), and the design and production of Functionally Graded Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (FG-UHPC) for enhanced sustainability and reduced carbon emissions.
Current research activity
- Early-age dimensional stability of UHPC and evaluation of effective shrinkage mitigation strategies
- Fundamental principles governing material gradation and interfacial transition in FG-UHPC
- Material gradation methodology for the design and production of FG-UHPC structural components
- Mechanical performance and durability of FG-UHPC incorporating shrinkage-mitigating agents
Recently completed research projects
- Epoxy-modified nanofiller adsorption and wetting on calcium silicate hydrates: Principles for optimizing interfacial properties
- Durability of epoxy and vinyl ester polymers in wet, seawater, and seawater sea sand concrete environments
- Creep behaviour of carbon fibre/epoxy matrix under moisture and sustained loads
Recent publications
- Cheikh Makhfouss Fame, Tamon Ueda, Marc A. Ntjam Minkeng, skinder Desta Shumuye, Yi Wang, Chao Wu, Atomic-Level Insights into Epoxy-Modified Nanofiller Adsorption and Wetting on Calcium Silicate Hydrates: Principles for Optimizing Interfacial Properties, 2025, https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5159067
- Cheikh Makhfouss Fame, Tamon Ueda, Marc A. Ntjam Minkeng, Chao Wu, Durability of epoxy and vinyl ester polymers in wet, seawater, and seawater sea sand concrete environments: Molecular dynamics simulations, Construction and Building Materials, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.138645
- Lik-ho Tam, Marc A. Ntjam Minkeng, Denvid Lau, Walid Mansour, Chao Wu, Molecular interfacial shearing creep behavior of carbon fiber/epoxy matrix interface under moisture condition, Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2023.109177
- Lik-ho Tam, Ruidong Wu, Marc A. Ntjam Minkeng, Jinqiao Jiang, Ao Zhou, Huali Hao, Zechuan Yu, Chao Wu, Understanding creep behavior of carbon fiber/epoxy interface via molecular dynamics simulation, Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Structures, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1080/15376494.2022.2088906
Profile
I hold a Master of Engineering from Beihang University, Beijing, China (2023), where my research focused on the fibre/matrix interfacial behaviour of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites using molecular dynamics simulations. The study aimed to understand the microscopic mechanisms of adhesion, moisture-induced degradation, and creep at the interface, providing insights to improve the long-term durability and mechanical reliability of FRP composites used in civil and aerospace structures.
I also worked as a Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant, contributing to several international research collaborations and funding applications, including the Sino-German Mobility Programme, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium), and joint NSFC–Royal Society projects in partnership with the University of Oxford.
Awards
- 2024: Funded PhD Scholar by Loughborough University and Thorp Precast
- 2023: SUSTech International scholarship for Doctoral Program
- 2023: Excellent International Graduate for Postgraduate
- 2020: Chinese Government Scholarship High-level Postgraduate Program, Beihang University
- 2020: Outstanding Graduate Award for Undergraduate
Key collaborators
My research and enterprise activities are conducted with a range of academic and stakeholder partners, including:
- Thorp Precast Ltd