Qunfen Qi

Building intelligent manufacturing systems that think, learn, and explain their decisions. **Research Vision** What if manufacturing systems could reason like human experts? I'm developing the mathematical foundations for truly intelligent manufacturing using **category theory** and **explainable AI**. **Machine 'Thinking' for Smart Manufacturing** Creating computational frameworks that enable machines to reason across multiple scales - from material properties to factory optimisation - while learning from experience and handling uncertainty. **Hierarchical Explainable AI** Developing AI systems that can explain their manufacturing decisions at any level of detail, from operator-friendly summaries to detailed technical analysis for engineers. **Why This Matters** As manufacturing becomes increasingly autonomous, we need systems that are both powerful and trustworthy. My research provides the mathematical foundations to make AI decisions transparent and reliable in critical manufacturing applications. **Research Impact** **Leadership Roles**: <ul><li> <ul><li>**UKRI EPSRC Innovation Fellow** (2018-2022) - Prestigious fellowship for early-career researchers</li><li>**EPSRC Peer Review College Member** - Ranked top 4% for participation (2020/21)</li><li>**International Standards Leader** - Project lead for ISO/TR 24331-2 Geometrical Product Specification development</li><li>**ISO Technical Committee Expert** - TC 213 (AG12, WG15, WG16), TC 184 WG26, JWG 21 (ISO/TC 184 & IEC/TC 65)</li><li>**BSI Technical Committee Member** - AMT_4, TPR1/1, TPR1/8, TPR1/9</li><li>**Co-Chair, CIRP CAT 2024** - Led 18th International Conference on Computer-Aided Tolerancing</li></ul> </li></ul> <p>** **</p> <p>**Recruiting PhD students**: Passionate about explainable machine learning, mathematical AI foundations, or smart manufacturing applications</p> <p>**Applications:**</p> <ul><li> <ul><li>Additive manufacturing optimisation</li><li>Intelligent quality control and metrology</li><li>Digital manufacturing workflows</li><li>Healthcare device manufacturing</li><li>Smart infrastructure systems</li></ul> </li></ul>

[01/06/2026] Recent advances in biomaterials and structural design of 3D printed multiphasic scaffolds for osteochondral regeneration [09/10/2025] 3D Printing of Biodegradable Polymer Vascular Stents to Treat Cardiovascular Diseases: A review [01/06/2025] A multi-level root cause analysis method for production anomalies in manufacturing workshops [01/11/2025] Role of Median Curves and Surfaces and Their Computations in Coordinate Metrology [13/11/2025] Theory and Computation of Median Straight Lines and Planes in Coordinate Metrology