{"id":2525,"date":"2025-09-03T16:53:28","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T15:53:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/laserphotonics.uk\/?p=2525"},"modified":"2025-09-03T16:53:35","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T15:53:35","slug":"prof-zengbo-wang-profile-sept-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laserphotonics.uk\/?p=2525","title":{"rendered":"Prof Zengbo Wang Profile- Sept 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Professor Zengbo (James ) Wang<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor in Imaging and Laser Micromachining<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

 z.wang@bangor.ac.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 +44 1248 382696<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

 0000-0002-3282-1052<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Prof. Zengbo Wang received BSc and MSc degrees in physics from Xiamen University, P.R. China, and a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is currently a professor at Bangor University and was a visiting professor at Northeastern University (Boston, USA, 2022-2023). He was awarded 2022 Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowship to explore cutting-edge research on AI\/deep-learning assisted  microsphere nanoscopy and on-demand photonic design. Before joining Bangor University in 2012, he was a lecturer at the University of Manchester between 2009 and 2012.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2025, Prof. Wang received the prestigious APEX Award\u2014jointly supported by the Royal Society, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering, and the Leverhulme Trust \u2014for his interdisciplinary project “Listen to the Cell Breathe”<\/em>, which investigates viral infections using a hybrid nano-vibration sensing and super-resolution imaging technique,  integrated through AI-enhanced fusion and analysis. It is the first APEX Award project led by a Principal Investigator based at a Welsh University since the scheme\u2019s launch in 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His research expertise lies in the fields of advanced AI and machine learning, laser-based manufacturing, nanophotonics, metamaterials, solar energy, fiber sensors and\u00a0 with special focuses on super-resolution microscopy, imaging, sensing, laser micro and nano processing, and AI for business and industry. He has strong publication and citation records. He is an elected senior member of Optica (2017) and is known as the leading pioneer of microsphere and nanosphere-based superlens technologies. Please visit his team website at\u00a0https:\/\/laserphotonics.uk\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional Contact Information<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Email:<\/strong> z.wang@bangor.ac.uk<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Office:<\/strong> Dean Street Building, Bangor University, Room 228<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tel: <\/strong>      +44(0) 1248 382696 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fax:<\/strong>      +44(0) 1248 362686 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Web<\/strong>:     https:\/\/laserphotonics.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Google Scholar:<\/strong> https:\/\/scholar.google.co.uk\/citations?user=5MBSTZ8AAAAJ&hl=en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research Interests<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

1) AI and Deep Learning in Photonics Design, Imaging, and Manufacturing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Prof. Wang\u2019s current research is strongly focused on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into science and engineering, particularly within the field of photonics. As part of a Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowship, he leads a programme dedicated to developing AI-driven super-resolution imaging technologies. His team is actively working at the intersection of AI, optics, and advanced manufacturing to improve resolution, speed, and precision in imaging and fabrication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They work with a wide range of AI models\u2014including but not limited to Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN), and Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN)\u2014to support applications such as AI-assisted photonic inverse design, super-resolution imaging for biological and nanoscale systems, and laser-based nano-patterning and process control. The team also explores the application of Large Language Models (LLMs) in scientific and engineering contexts, including the use of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and fine-tuning for domain-specific tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to academic research, the group supports industry by helping businesses adopt cutting-edge AI technologies to develop new products, processes, and services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) Superlens and Super-resolution Microscopy<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Prof. Wang and his team are internationally recognised for pioneering microsphere- and nanoparticle-based dielectric superlens technologies. Notable developments include the \u2018microsphere superlens\u2019 and \u2018microsphere nanoscope\u2019 (2011, Nature Communications<\/em>), \u2018spider silk superlens\u2019 (2016, Nano Letters<\/em>), and \u2018nanoparticle superlens\u2019 (2016, Science Advances<\/em>). These breakthroughs have received widespread media attention, featuring in outlets such as the BBC, New York Times<\/em>, Daily Mail<\/em>, Independent<\/em>, ABC Australia, and China Xinhua, and were highlighted in RCUK\u2019s \u201c50 Big Ideas for the Future.\u201d In 2023, this body of work was featured in the seminal article \u201cRoadmap on Label-Free Super-resolution Imaging\u201d in Laser Photonics Reviews<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prof. Wang was a finalist for Bangor University\u2019s 2016 Research Excellence Award and Dissertation\/Thesis Supervisor of the Year. He was also selected as a member of the 2015 Welsh Crucible cohort\u2014a group of emerging research leaders in Wales\u2014and previously received the Most Outstanding R&D Staff Merit Award in 2005 for his contributions to laser cleaning at DSI Singapore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest nanoparticle superlens developed by his team is among the most powerful in the field, producing sharper and higher-quality images of nanoscale features, including 50 nm polystyrene nanoparticles, 45 nm gaps in semiconductor chips, and 90\u2013100 nm adenoviruses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) Laser-based Manufacturing and Processing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Prof. Wang\u2019s group conducts research into a wide spectrum of laser-based processes\u2014including cutting, welding, drilling, texturing, marking, cleaning, and polishing\u2014alongside emerging applications such as laser-enhanced seed germination and yield improvement. The laboratory hosts a comprehensive range of laser systems, including nanosecond fiber and UV lasers, a high-power, high-repetition-rate femtosecond laser (Jasper 30W, four wavelengths), and CO\u2082 lasers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporting instrumentation includes advanced 3D laser scanning microscopes (Olympus OLS5000 and DSX1000) and an environmental scanning electron microscope (E-SEM) with integrated electron-beam lithography (EBL) for precise nano-manufacturing and characterisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This research is supported by the pan-Wales \u201cCentre for Photonics Expertise (CPE)\u201d programme, which collaborates with Welsh industry across sectors such as electronics, aerospace, automotive, and energy. Key partners include Qioptiq, Tata Steel, Welsh Slate, and Transcend Packaging. The team has developed a unique capability in direct laser nano-marking using specially engineered superlenses, achieving sub-100 nm resolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4) Fiber-based Optical and Quantum Sensing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The team also explores cutting-edge sensing technologies, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n