Professor James Gao

Professor James Gao BSc, MSc, PhD, FIMechE, CEng

Medway Chair of Manufacturing Engineering

  • 2006-date: Medway Chair of Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Greenwich
  • 1993-2006: Lecturer/Senior lecturer, School of Industrial and Manufacturing Science, Cranfield University (1994-2000; Director of MSc in CAD/CAM)
  • 1989-93: Post-doctoral research fellow, Loughborough University of Technology
  • 1987-89: PhD student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology.

Engineering Mechanical engineering

Engineering

Responsibilities within the university
  • Leader of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Management Research Group
  • Director of Automation and Industrial Robotics (AIR) Laboratory

Recognition
  • Chaired/co-chaired international conferences
  • Coordinator of the Manufacturing Industry Focus Group in the Southeast and London area
  • Committee member, Consortium of UK Manufacturing Engineering (COMEH)
  • Invited keynote speaker at various international conferences and industrial events
  • Edited special issues of international journals and conference proceedings
  • Peer reviewer of research grant applications of UK and EU research councils

Editorial board memberships

  • Associate editor, Proceedings of the IMechE, Part B - Journal of Engineering manufacture.
  • International Journal of Product Design
  • International Journal of Engineering Business Management
  • International Journal of CAD and Applications

Research / Scholarly interests

Professor James Gao is a world-class academic with an international reputation in manufacturing engineering. He has directed a large number of research and innovation projects sponsored by UK/EU research councils and technology-leading companies in manufacturing and related sectors. Professor Gao is particularly interested in the following research topics:

  • Digital / smart manufacturing including
  • Collaborative product development with global supply chains
  • Manufacturing information and knowledge management
  • Automation, industrial robotics and artificial intelligence in manufacturing
  • Product lifecycle management (PLM) including maintenance and services
  • Lean and sustainable manufacturing including quality issues
  • Design for manufacturing and assembly.

For more information about Professor Gao's research and enterprise activities please visit Mechanical, Manufacturing and Management Research Group.

Currently Professor James Gao is the leader of the Greenwich team in a £4m collaborative project funded by the European Commission's Interreg (France Channel Manche England) entitled "Improving The Design of Flexible and Responsive Manufacturing Systems Involving Autonomous Collaborative Robots". He is also the co-leader of the overall project involving four industrial and five academic partners.

Visit www.corot-project.org for more Information about this project.

Recent publications

Article

Liu, Changqing , Tie, Lei, Zhao, Zhiwei, Gao, James , Li, Yingguang (2025), A hybrid measurement-inferencing method for modelling residual stress field based on heteroscedastic latent Gaussian process. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). In: , , , . Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement ISSN: 0018-9456 (Print), 1557-9662 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/TIM.2025.3602544).

Chu, Anh-My , Nguyen, Van-Cong, Le, Chi-Hieu, Gao, James , Packianather, Michael , Shwe, Soe (2025), Dynamic modelling for the family of 5-axis CNC milling machines with application to feed-rate optimization. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal, 65: 102015 2215-0986 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jestch.2025.102015).

Zhao, Zhiwei , Li, Yingguang, Liu, Changqing, Liu, Xu , Gao, James (2024), Stable data-driven manufacturing decision-making by introducing causal relationships for high-dimensional data. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). In: , , , . Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics ISSN: 1551-3203 (Print), 1941-0050 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/TII.2024.3453431).

Liu, Changqing , Li, Yingguang, Hua, Jiaqi, Zhao, Zhiwei , Gao, James (2024), A causal based method for denoising non-homologous noises in time series manufacturing monitoring data. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 76 . pp. 92-102 ISSN: 0278-6125 (Print), 1878-6642 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmsy.2024.07.008) NB Item availability restricted.

Chu, Anh My , Le, Minh Thai, Ha, Ngoc Hoang, Le, Chi Hieu , Egbe, Uyi-osa , Gao, Xiaoyu , Zlatov, Nikolay , Packianather, Michael (2023), A framework for practically effective creation of postprocessors for 5-axis CNC machines with all possible configurations and working mechanisms. SAGE Publications. In: , , , . SAGE Publications, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture . pp. 1-13 ISSN: 0954-4054 (Print), 2041-2975 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/09544054231179314).

Gao, Xiaoyu , Li, Yingguang, Xu, Ke, Wang, Shixin , Maropoulos, Paul (2023), A step-wise numerical thermal control method for advanced composite curing process using digital image based programming. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, CIRP Annals - Manufacturing Technology, 72 (1) ISSN: 0007-8506 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cirp.2023.03.016).

Zhao, Zhiwei , Liu, Changqing, Li, Yingguang, Gao, Xiaoyu (2022), A new method for inferencing and representing workpiece residual stress field using monitored deformation force data. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Engineering, 22 . pp. 49-59 ISSN: 2095-8099 (Print), 2096-0026 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2022.07.018) NB Item availability restricted.

Zhou, Jing , Li, Yingguang, Yang, Tao, Xue, Wenzheng , Hao, Xiaozhong , Gao, James (2022), Microwave heating and processing of solid metals using electromagnetic resonators. Springer. In: , , , . Springer, The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 123 (3-4) . pp. 1111-1121 ISSN: 0268-3768 (Print), 1433-3015 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-022-10244-w).

Zhu, Valentine , Giddaluru, Muni, El Souri, Mohammed, Gao, Xiaoyu (2022), An approach to determining the need for integrating quality management into industrial PLM implementation. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Procedia CIRP, 109 . pp. 490-495 ISSN: 2212-8271 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2022.05.283).

Li, Yingguang , Liu, Changqing, Gao, James (2022), Special issue: Best in China–Smart manufacturing. SAGE. In: , , , . SAGE, IMechE Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture, 236 (1-2) . pp. 3-4 ISSN: 0954-4054 (Print), 2041-2975 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/09544054211068297).

Saunders, Timothy , Tite, Caroline, Gao, Xiaoyu (2022), Initial stage of an industrial investigation of the knowledge management practices in a large-scale multinational automotive company. Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.. In: , , , . Inderscience Enterprises Ltd., International Journal of Product Lifecycle Management, 14 (1) . pp. 18-39 ISSN: 1743-5110 (Print), 1743-5129 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1504/IJPLM.2022.123560) NB Item availability restricted.

Arey, Daniel , Le, Chi Hieu, Gao, Xiaoyu (2021), Lean industry 4.0: a digital value stream approach to process improvement. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Procedia Manufacturing, 54 . pp. 19-24 ISSN: 2351-9789 (Print), 2351-9789 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2021.07.004).

Elsouri, Mohammed , Gao, James, Wilson, Alister, Martin, Lancelot , Pyee, Robin (2021), Requirements analysis for automating product testing in aerospace manufacturing. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Procedia Manufacturing, 54 . pp. 222-226 ISSN: 2351-9789 (Print), 2351-9789 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2021.07.034).

Elsouri, Mohammed , Gao, James, Wilson, Alister, Martin, Lancelot , Pyee, Robin (2021), Requirements analysis for automating product testing in aerospace manufacturing. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Procedia Manufacturing, 54 (202) ISSN: 2351-9789 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2021.07.034).

Li, Yingguang , Xu, Ke, Liu, Xu, Yang, Mengyuan , Gao, James , Maropoulos, Paul (2021), Stress-oriented 3D printing path optimization based on image processing algorithms for reinforced load-bearing parts. Elsevier Ltd.. In: , , , . Elsevier Ltd., CIRP Annals - Manufacturing Technology, 70 (1) . pp. 195-198 ISSN: 0007-8506 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cirp.2021.04.037).

Elsouri, Mohammed , Gao, James, Simmonds, Clive, Martin, Nick (2021), A design for manufacturing methodology using defects knowledge for aerospace product manufacturing. SAGE. In: , , , . SAGE, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture, 235 (11) . pp. 1751-1762 ISSN: 0954-4054 (Print), 2041-2975 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/09544054211007642).

Le, Chi Hieu , Le, Dang Thang, Arey, Daniel, Gheorghe, Popan , Chu, Anh My , Duong, Xuan Bien , Nguyen, Trung Thanh , Truong, Trong Toai , Prakash, Chander , Zhao, Shi-Tian (2020), Challenges and conceptual framework to develop heavy-load manipulators for smart factories. CEFIN Publishing House. In: , , , . CEFIN Publishing House, International Journal of Mechatronics and Applied Mechanics, 8 (2) . pp. 209-216 ISSN: 2559-4397 (Print), 2559-6497 (Online) (doi: https://ijomam.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/pag.-209-216_CHALLENGES-AND-CONCEPTUAL-FRAMEWORK-TO-DEVELOP-HEAVY-LOAD-MANIPULATORS.pdf).

Li, Yingguang , Mou, Wenping, Li, Jingjing, Liu, Changqing , Gao, Xiaoyu (2020), An automatic and accurate method for tool wear inspection using grayscale image probability algorithm based on bayesian Inference. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, 68: 102079 ISSN: 0736-5845 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcim.2020.102079).

Book section

Lancelot, Martin , Gao, Xiaoyu, Le, Chi Hieu, Ahmed, Sarhan , Sotia, Cherepeti , Antoine, Sarrazin (2022), Modular, mobile and autonomous robotics for manufacturing SMEs. IOS Press. In: , , In: Mahmoud Shafik, Keith Case (eds.), Advances in Manufacturing Technology XXXV: Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Manufacturing Research, Incorporating the 36th National Conference on Manufacturing Research, 6–8 September 2022, University of Derby, Derby, UK. IOS Press, Amsterdam; Berlin; Washington, DC , 25 (1st) . pp. 101-106 . ISBN: 9781643683300; 9781643683317 (doi: https://doi.org/10.3233/ATDE220574).

Uyi-osa, Egbe , Le, Chi Hieu, Gao, Xiaoyu, Anh My, Chu , Michael, Packianather , Nikolay, Zlatov (2022), A case-based reasoning based framework for developing computer aided remanufacturing process planning systems. Springer. In: , , In: Cioboată Daniela Doina (ed.), International Conference on Reliable Systems Engineering. Springer, , 534 (doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15944-2_28).

Conference proceedings

Vu, Minh Duc , Chu, Anh My, Nguyen, The Nguyen, Duong, Xuan Bien , Le, Chi Hieu , Gao, Xiaoyu , Zlatov, Nikolay , Hristov, Georgi , Nguyen, Van Anh , Mahmud, Jamaluddin (2023), Prediction of the welding process parameters and the weld bead geometry for robotic welding applications with adaptive neuro-fuzzy models. Springer. In: , , In: Thi Dieu Linh Nguyen, Verdú Elena, Anh Ngoc Le, Maria Ganzha (eds.), Intelligent Systems and Networks: Selected Articles from ICISN 2023, Vietnam. Springer, Singapore , 752 (1st) . pp. 148-158 . ISBN: 9789819947256; 9789819947249; 9789819947270ISSN: 2367-3370 (Print), 2367-3389 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-*******4725-6_20).

Hristov, Georgi , Zlatov, Nikolay, Zahariev, Plamen, Le, Chi Hieu , Kinaneva, Diyana , Georgiev, Georgi , Yotov, Yavor , Gao, Xiaoyu , Chu, Anh My , Nguyen, Ho Quang (2023), Development of a smart system for early detection of forest fires based on unmanned aerial vehicles. Polskie Towarzystwo Informatyczne. In: , , In: Maria Ganzha, Leszek A. Maciaszek, Marcin Paprzycki, Dominik Ślęzak (eds.), Annals of Computer Science and Information Systems - Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Research in Intelligent and Computing in Engineering (RICE 2022). November 11–12, 2022. Hung Yen University of Technology and Education, Vietnam. Polskie Towarzystwo Informatyczne, Warsaw, Poland , 33 (1st) . pp. 135-139 . ISBN: 9788396589767; 9788396589774ISSN: 2300-5963 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.15439/978-83-965897-6-7).

Yotov, Yavor , Zlatov, Nikolay, Hristov, Georgi, Zahariev, Plamen , Le, Chi Hieu , Gao, Xiaoyu , Chu, Anh My , Nguyen, Ho Quang , Huynh, Le Minh , Bui, Trung Thanh (2023), Innovative development of a flying robot with a flexible manipulator for aerial manipulations. Polskie Towarzystwo Informatyczne. In: , , In: Maria Ganzha, Leszek A. Maciaszek, Marcin Paprzycki, Dominik Ślęzak (eds.), Annals of Computer Science and Information Systems - Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Research in Intelligent and Computing in Engineering (RICE 2022). November 11–12, 2022. Hung Yen University of Technology and Education, Vietnam. Polskie Towarzystwo Informatyczne, Warsaw, Poland , 33 (1st) . pp. 49-54 . ISBN: 9788396589767; 9788396589774ISSN: 2300-5963 (Print), (doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.15439/978-83-965897-6-7).

Martin, Lancelot , Gao, James, Wilson, Alister, Le, Chi Hieu , Ree, Marcus de (2021), Autonomous mobile robots in high occupancy aerospace manufacturing. IOS Press. In: , , , Advances in Manufacturing Technology XXXIV. IOS Press, Netherlands , 15 (1st) . pp. 133-138 . ISBN: 9781643681986ISSN: 2352-751X (Print), 2352-7528 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.3233/ATDE210025).

Martin, Lancelot , González-Romo, Mario, Sahnoun, M'hammed, Bettayeb, Belgacem , He, Naihui , Gao, James (2021), Effect of human-robot interaction on the fleet size of AIV transporters in FMS. IEEE. In: , , , 2021 1st International Conference On Cyber Management And Engineering (CyMaEn). IEEE, . ISBN: 9781665432009 (doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/CyMaEn50288.2021.9497273).

de Ree, Marcus , Mantas, Georgios, Gao, James, Rodriguez, Jonathan , Otung, Ifiok E. (2020), Public key cryptography without certificates for beyond 5G mobile small cells. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). In: , , In: IEEE Conference Commitee (ed.), 2020 12th International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks and Digital Signal Processing (CSNDSP). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Piscataway, New Jersey (1st) . pp. 1-5 . ISBN: 1728160510, 9781728160511 (doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/CSNDSP49049.2020.9249567) NB Item availability restricted.

Prasad Giddaluru, Muni and , Gao, James (2020), A data preparation and migration framework for implementing modular product structures in PLM. Springer. In: , , In: Clement Fortin, Louis Rivest, Alain Bernard, Abdelaziz Bouras (eds.), PLM 2019: Product Lifecycle Management in the Digital Twin Era. Springer, Cham, Switzerland , 565 . pp. 201-210 . ISBN: 9783030422493ISSN: 1868-4238 (Print), 1868-422X (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42250-9_19).

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