PURPOSE STATEMENT

Mechanical engineering is the foundation of industry. It plays a key role in the national economy. Its broad field including general engineering, aeronautical, chemical and

nuclear engineering, etc. provides a sufficient room of choice for me to realize the dream of becoming a scientist or a mechanical engineer. It was with this fact in mind that I decided to choose mechanical engineering as the major field of study for both undergraduate and graduate career at Tsinghua University.

During nearly eight years of study at Tsinghua University, I completed a total of 47 courses in undergraduate study, 14 courses in graduate study. The major courses that interested me most included: Theoretical Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Elasticity and Plasticity, Mechanical Analysis of Plastic Deformation Processes, Theory of Metal Forming, Computer Language and Programming, Mechanical Design, etc.. After

graduation, I entered the First Heavy Machinery Works (in northeast of China). During this period, I became familiar with the design and manufacturing of some heavy

machines, thus furthering my interest in mechanical engineering. At the same time, I found that many good ideas of design could not be put into existence because of the backwardness in raw material quality and processing techniques. This fact impelled me to concentrate my research interest on materials science and processing and the related areas. Through careful survey, I selected a subject about the quality control of heavy disc forging and took it as my research subject for master degree. After over two years of investigation, I finally made a great innovation in the forging process, making the end product rate increase from 50% to 90%. In the course of investigation and my later working after graduate study, I also found some problems that are common in

mechanical industry. For example, how do cracks in products during hot metal working generate and develop? How to avoid cracks? How do non-metallic inclusions affect the properties of materials? How to control the content, shape and distribution of inclusions in final products? Solution to these problems will improve the quality of many kinds of products. But they are often difficult to be solved because they include knowledge of many disciplines and require many new research methods. I feel that what I have

learned is far from sufficient to tackle all the problems. Thus I have decided to continue my education by pursuing a doctoral degree in mechanical engineering in a highly industrialized country like the United States.

I plan to complete my degree objective in 3 to 5 years and hope that I will be able to further my knowledge in areas including Solid Mechanics, Materials Science and Processes, CAD/CAM, etc.. After completing my graduate study, I will return to

contribute my learning to my country. I plan to work as a researcher or a teacher at an institute or a university.