Prof. Kun Yang | Engineering | Best Researcher Award
Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics | China
Author profile
🎓 Early Academic Pursuits
Prof. Kun Yang embarked on his academic journey in Materials Science and Engineering, earning his Bachelor's degree from Southwest University, China, in 2013. With a passion for environmental and nuclear materials, he pursued his Master’s (2015) and Ph.D. (2018) in Environmental Engineering at Lehigh University, USA. His academic brilliance was recognized early on, winning the National Encouragement Scholarship twice during his undergraduate years and receiving the prestigious Dean’s Fellowship at Lehigh.
🧑🏫 Professional Endeavors
Prof. Yang’s professional path has been as dynamic as his research. He began as a Research Assistant at Lehigh University (2013–2018), followed by a significant role as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2018–2021), where he contributed to key nuclear materials research. Since 2021, he has been serving as an Associate Professor at the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China, advancing teaching and research in nuclear engineering materials and waste management.
🔬 Contributions and Research Focus
Prof. Yang is at the forefront of nuclear materials science, with deep expertise in nuclear fuel fabrication, nuclear waste forms, and advanced cladding materials. His research spans:
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Development of accident-tolerant fuels like uranium nitride and U-10Zr metallic fuel,
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Design of ceramic and composite waste forms for radionuclide immobilization,
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Investigation into the chemical durability of perovskites, pyrochlores, and zirconates,
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Corrosion resistance and microstructure control in high-temperature environments.
He has supervised over 8 major research projects in China and participated in 5 federally funded U.S. projects, contributing to innovations in DOE, NSF, and CNNC programs.
🏆 Accolades and Recognition
Prof. Yang’s commitment to academic and scientific excellence has earned him multiple prestigious honors:
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🏅 "Linghang" Outstanding Teaching Award, Jiangsu Province, 2023
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🏅 Key Science Achievement Award, China Radiation Protection Academia, 2024
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🎖️ US-DOE Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2019
These accolades reflect both his impact as a researcher and a passionate educator.
🌍 Impact and Influence
With over 30 high-impact journal publications, Prof. Yang has significantly shaped the fields of nuclear fuel development, waste form design, and environmental corrosion science. His work has improved our understanding of radionuclide behavior in complex materials and contributed to the safety and sustainability of nuclear systems. He has also shared his findings in international conferences, including the European Nuclear Society’s TOP FUEL, ACS National Meetings, and MS&T.
🔮 Legacy and Future Contributions
Prof. Kun Yang is building a legacy of scientific innovation and mentorship. His future endeavors are poised to address critical challenges in spent fuel reprocessing, nuclear waste containment, and radiation-resilient materials. As a supervisor, he is nurturing the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers, ensuring his influence endures through impactful research and dedicated teaching.
Publications
📄 Thermo-Mechanical Properties and Oxidation Behavior of FeCrAl Alloys with Si and Y Addition
Authors: Yanzhao Ni, Wen Qi, Liangshuo Zhao, Dong Li, Yingjie Qiao, Jingxue Zhou, Peng Wang, Kun Yang
Journal: Metals
Year: 2025
📄 Structural Stability and Photoluminescence Property of Cs₂UCl₆ Single Crystal Derived from Spent Nuclear Fuel
Authors: Yibo Wang, Kun Yang, Feida Chen, Xianlin Qu, Yanmei He, Daniu Han, Xiaobin Tang
Journal: Inorganic Chemistry
Year: 2025
📄 High-Temperature Steam Oxidation and Surface Microstructure Evolution of Fe13Cr6Al(1–4)Mo0.15Y Alloys
Authors: Wen Qi, Yingjie Qiao, Wangwei Ru, Xiaodong Wang, Xiaohong Zhang, Ting Zheng, Shiyu Du, Peng Wang, Kun Yang
Journal: Metals
Year: 2024
📄 Thermal and Chemical Durability of Metal Halide Perovskite CsPbBr₃ Single Crystals
Authors: Daniu Han, Kun Yang, Chengying Bai, Feida Chen, Zhangjie Sun, Yibo Wang, Hao Ji, Zhou Yang, Xiaobin Tang
Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal
Year: 2023
📄 High-Temperature Steam Oxidation Behavior of an FeCrAl Alloy with Controlled Addition of Mo
Authors: Wen Qi, Kun Yang, Peng Wang, Shiyu Du, Chengying Bai, Xiaodong Wang, Yingjie Qiao, Ting Zheng, LiLi Zhang, Xiaohong Zhang
Journal: Journal of Materials Science
Year: 2022