Wang Qidong

Wang Qidong (; 27 September 1921 – 29 July 2019) was a Chinese materials scientist, educator, and politician. A pioneer in the field of materials science and engineering in China, his research was focused on high-speed steel and hydrogen storage materials. He served as Vice President of Zhejiang University and Vice Chairman of the Zhejiang People's Congress.

Early life and education Wang was born on 27 September 1921 in Huangyan, Zhejiang, Republic of China. His father, Wang Jin (王琎; 1888–1966), was a renowned chemist who served as chemistry chair and acting president of Zhejiang University. Wang attended Shanghai High School and experienced Japanese invasion of Shanghai in 1937, during which he suffered a life-threatening disease.

After graduating from the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Zhejiang University in 1943, he was hired by the university as a faculty member. In 1947, he was awarded a government scholarship to study in the United States. He earned his master's degree from Stanford University in 1948, and his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in 1951, both in mechanical engineering.

Wang died in Hangzhou on 29 July 2019, at the age of 97.