Education background

Postdoctoral Scientist: Department of chemical engineering, Yale University from September 1998 to December 1999

Ph.D.:Conferred in September, 1998 in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, UC Davis

Master: Conferred in December, 1989 in the Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University

Bachelor: Conferred in January, 1988 in the Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University

Experience

October 2013 to present: Professor and Tenured Professor, Department of Energy and Power Engineering, Tsinghua University

From December 1999 to October 2013: Associate Professor and Professor/ Vice Dean and Deputy Chief Engineer, Institute of Nuclear Energy Technology, Tsinghua University

From September 1998 to December 1999: Postdoctoral scientist, Department of chemical engineering, Yale University, USA

From December 1989 to September 1994: Assistant Professor, Institute of Nuclear Energy Technology, Tsinghua University

Concurrent Academic

Editorial board member of the following journals:

“PARTICUOLOGY”

“Fluid Machinery” (Associate Chief Editor)

“Chinese Journal of Turbomachinery”

“China Powder Science and Technology”

Ex-Editorial board member of the following journals:

“International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Technology”

“Nuclear Power Engineering”

Social service

Permanent Advisory Board Member (former President) of International Association for Structural Mechanics in Reactor Technology (IASMiRT).

Board Member of International Magnetic Bearing Association

Member of ISO/TC 108/SC 2/WG 7 International Standardization Organization: Vibration Standards Working Group for Magnetic Bearings

Executive Board Member of Chinese Society of Particuology

Vice president of Fluid Machinery Branch of China Mechanical Engineering Society

Advisory Board Member of the National Magnetic Levitation and Vibration Technology Association

Member of the National Microgravity Science and Application Association

Member of Standardization Administration of P. R. China/Technical Committee

Also served as:

Member of ASME Working Group on Nonmetallic Design and Materials (SG HTR)(BPV III)

Chairman, Vice Chairman and Member, of the International Association for Structural Mechanics of Reactors (IASMiRT)

Chairman of the 18th International Conference on Structural Mechanics of Reactors (SMiRT-18)

Chairman of the 16th International Symposium on Magnetic Bearings (ISMB 16)

Chairman of the National Magnetic Suspended Technical Committee

Vice Chairman of the National Committee on Structural Mechanics of Reactors

Vice President of the Beijing Nuclear Society

Director of the Nuclear Power Committee of the Chinese Society of Power Engineering

Chairman of the National Committee for New Reactors and Research Reactors

Chairman of the 15th International Conference of Experts on Nuclear Graphite (INGSM)

Executive Deputy Director of the Center for Combustion Energy at Tsinghua University

Areas of Research Interests/ Research Projects

Aerosols: Researches on aerosol dynamics, mechanism of particle hygroscopic growth, dynamics of radioactive aerosol coagulation, thermophoresis and diffusiophoresis, deposition of particles, precipitation mechanism of aerosols under variable gravity, formation mechanism of combustion particles, microgravity combustion and particle dynamics;

Magnetic Bearings: Research and development of active magnetic bearing and magnetic suspension rotating machinery, proposed the control method of non-differential magnetic bearing, developed the anti-impact technology of electromagnetic bearing, redundant fault tolerance technology of control system, and composite support technology of electromagnetic bearing, and applied active control magnetic bearing to vibration and noise reduction of rotating machinery;

Nuclear Reactor Engineering: Research on aerosol evolution behavior under severe accident, research on oxidation mechanism of nuclear graphite and graphite mechanical irradiation performance, research on reactor structural mechanics and research on energy conversion of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors.

Research Status

Current Research Project as the PI:

National Key R&D Program of China (2024YFB3410000): Key technologies of high-speed and high-load magnetic bearings, Project Leader, 2024.12~2027.11

Research content: Study the hysteresis loss mechanism of high-speed magnetic bearing rotor, and design method of energy-saving multi-pole independent high-redundancy magnetic bearing; Breakthroughs have been made in key technologies such as high-load magnetic bearing fluid pulsation time-varying coupling high anti-disturbance control, high-speed magnetic bearing rotor high-frequency conversion and efficient drive, magnetic bearing variable bias current distribution strategy and low-power robust control. High-speed and high-efficiency magnetic bearings and high-load magnetic bearings have been developed and verified in high-speed air compressors, turbine vacuum pumps and other equipment.

As the PI, Professor Yu has completed dozens of research projects:

Prof. Suyuan Yu has engaged his research activities in a diversity of research domains such as Particuology (aerosol), active magnetic bearings, structural mechanics, the advanced nuclear reactor technologies.

He has presided over three combustion projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, including "Quantum Chemistry Research in the Chromium Combustion Process", "Quantum Chemistry Research on the Chemical Kinetic Model of Chromium-containing Hazardous Waste Incineration" and "Kinetic Research on the Incineration of Chromium-containing Hazardous Waste", and the Major Research Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China "Key Basic Research on High-temperature Gas-cooled Reactors and Helium Turbines (Several Key Issues in Energy Utilization and Environmental Protection in Western China)".

He is responsible for the National Key R&D Program project "Research on aerosol migration and thermodynamic phenomena under serious accidents" 2020YFB1901401, the sub-project "Research on the coupling mechanism and design method of magnetic bearing and supporting components" 2018YFB2000103 and the project "Emission Testing and Assessment of Key Industries" 2016YFC0202702; Responsible for the national major special projects "Research on Electromagnetic Bearing Technology for Main Helium Fan" and "Research on Emission Behavior of Graphite Dust under Accident Conditions"; He is mainly responsible for the follow-up key projects in the energy field of the "Tenth Five-Year Plan" 863 Program, "High-temperature Gas-cooled Reactor Helium Turbine Power Generation System" and "10MW High-temperature Gas-cooled Experimental Reactor Renovation and Helium Turbine Power Generation System Pre-service Test Research", and completed the research of "High-temperature Gas-cooled Reactor Helium Turbine Power Generation System"; Responsible for the completion of 8 international cooperation projects involving combustion, reaction structure and nuclear-grade graphite research; He is responsible for more than 50 scientific and technological projects of the Energy Bureau, the Ministry of Education and national industries, mainly researching particle dynamics, reactor engineering, magnetic bearings, vibration and noise control, etc.

Since 2013, Professor Suyuan Yu has undertaken several national key R & D projects, mainly engaged in the research on aerosol migration and evolution law under severe nuclear reactor accidents, the mechanism of impact of emissions from key industries on the burst growth of atmospheric particles, and the coupling mechanism between magnetic bearing and supporting components. Especially in the field of magnetic bearing, Professor Yu proposed a non-differential control method of magnetic bearing, developed the anti-shock technology of magnetic bearing, the redundant fault tolerance technology of control system, and the composite support technology of electromagnetic bearing. The active control magnetic bearing was applied to vibration and noise reduction of rotating machinery.

From 1999 to 2013, he had initiated the primary research and design of the helium gas turbine in HTR-10 and the study of HTR-PM demonstration plant, both of which are key projects in the State 863 Program. A series of research had been carried out in the study of the helium turbine-compressor system, the compact heat exchanger, the flexible rotor magnetic bearing, the reliability study of the graphite structure of HTR-10, the oxidation and creep behavior of nuclear graphite, the study of the growth, development and sediment of graphite particle in HTR-10. He also took part in the research and design of the core structure of 20MW high flux test reactor core, the feasibility study 200MW heating reactor, the design of China 200MW small boiling water reactor (collaborated with Toshiba, Japan), the research on the structural features of multi-purpose small power reactor (collaborated with Hitachi, Japan), the safety analysis of the Fast Breeder Reactor key components and the research in the response spectrum and stress calculation of China Advanced Research Reactor (CARR).

Professor Yu’s post-doc program in Yale University from 1998 to 1999 focused on the kinetic research on high temperature chemical reaction and the research on the mechanism of nano-particle development which paved the way for the development of new chemical and electro-industrial material. The production of Al2O3 in counter flame was completed in the lab during the post-doc research from 1998 to 1999.

The research on the hazardous waste disposal was carried out under the supervision of Professor Ian M. Kennedy, an internationally renowned expert during his PH.D. research from 1994 to 1998. The two-dimensional DSM particle kinetic model and the chromium kinetic model in high temperature chemical reaction were established and the precise examination of the complex particles was maintained by means of laser scattering technology. The research has won favorable comments from US Environmental Protection Administration (EPA), US National Institute of Environment and Health Science (NIEHS/NIH) and the experts from the field of combustion. The researcher was accordingly awarded the Super Fund sponsored by National Institute of Environment and Health Science (NIEHS/NIH) from 1995 to 1996 and 1996 to 1997. A keynote speech based on the research was delivered at the tenth anniversary of the Super fund.

Between 1989 and 1994, Dr. Yu participated in the feasibility research on and design of the pressure vessel of the 10 MW High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor, the research and design of the pressure vessel of 200MW heating reactor which has won the award of National Scientific Breakthrough by the State Science Committee. The success of the R&D of hydraulic tensioner won the Awards for the Great Scientific Breakthrough in the State Eighth Five Year Planning Period. The hydraulic tensioner was granted the Utility model patent and passed the examination from the State Education Committee.

Honors And Awards

2023: Gold Medal for Invention at the 48th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, the project is "Adaptive Load Distribution Method for Magnetic Bearing System", organized by the Swiss Federal Government and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

2023: Outstanding Contribution Scholar of the journal of “Atomic Energy Science and Technology”

2022: First Prize of 2022 China Association of Inventions and Entrepreneurship Invention Award Achievement Award "Magnetic Bearing and Its Application, 2022-CAICG-1-J01"

2021: China Industry-University-Research Cooperation Innovation Award of China Association for the Promotion of Industry-University-Research Cooperation

2020: Second Prize of Natural Science Award of Chinese Society of Particulate (Research on the evolution mechanism of graphite dust in high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, 2020-ZK-2-01-R02);

2015: ICONE AWARD;

2005: Winner of the "New Century Excellent Talent Support Program" of the Ministry of Education;

2004: Outstanding Teacher of Beijing;

2003: Tsinghua University "Academic Newcomer Award" (the highest academic honor for young teachers of Tsinghua University);

2000: Winner of the "Outstanding Young Teacher Funding Program" of the Ministry of Education;

He has been rated as an outstanding young teacher of Tsinghua University, an advanced worker of Tsinghua University, and a "mentor and helpful friend" of the fourth, sixth and seventh sessions of Tsinghua University.

As a key researcher, he participated in the "Research on the In-Service Inspection Scheme of 200MW Cryogenic Nuclear Heating Reactor Pressure Shell", which was awarded the National Science and Technology Achievement Award by the State Science and Technology Commission.

As a key researcher, he participated in the design and successful development of the "Hydraulic Bolt Tensioning Machine", which won the National "Eighth Five-Year" Science and Technology Major Scientific and Technological Achievement Award.

Academic Achievement

Books:“Advanced Theory and Application of Magnetic Actuators”（Suyuan YU, etc. MDPI AG，Basel, Switzerland, 2024 ISBN：978-3-7258-1753-5） and “The New Technology in High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor”（Suyuan YU, Daly City, USA: Visuals Press, 2009）et. 5 books.

Patents: Nearly 60 authorized invention patents, such as "magnetic bearing, control method and device" (202210323081.3), "zero bias control method, device and magnetic bearing of magnetic bearing" (202210323785.0).

Standards: Participated in the drafting of ISO 14839-5, 6, 7 and several domestic related standards.

Prof. Suyuan Yu has published more than 300 academic papers, including more than 100 SCI indexes and more than 180 EI indexes.

Major Academic Journal Articles:

[1] Experimental and mechanistic study of dispersed micrometer-sized particle resuspension in a square straight duct with rough walls. Particuology, 2023, 83:101–114.

[2] Implementation Mechanism and Development Status of Permanent Magnetic Levitation Technology, Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2023, 59:1-19. (in Chinese)

[3] Research progress on the resuspension behavior of aerosol particles in nuclear reactors. Atomic Energy Science and Technology, 2023, 57:2049-2066. (in Chinese)

[4] Alternative linear dynamic analysis method for gas foil bearing rotor systems using bearing s-domain impedance. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing. 2023, 205:110844.

[5] Time-scale Separation Control for a Class of Current Distribution Strategy in AMBs-rotor System with Bounded Bus Voltage. IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification, 2023, 9(3): 4147-4157.

[6] Division linearization zero-bias current control for AMBs-rotor system with uncertainties and saturation. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 2023, 70(10): 10557-10566.

[7] Radial basis function method for predicting the evolution of aerosol size distributions for coagulation problems. Atmosphere. 2023, 13:.

[8] Characterization of heterogeneity in NBG-18 nuclear graphite microstructure by correlative analysis of optical texture and focused ion beam transmission electron microscopy observations. Carbon. 2022

[9] Comparative analysis of typical friction models in the modeling of corrugated foil hydropressurized gas bearings. Bearing, 2022, 10: 25-32. (in Chinese)

[10] Modeling and stability characteristics of bump-type gas foil bearing rotor systems considering stick–slip friction. International journal of mechanical sciences. 219(2022).

[11] Research progress on hygroscopic growth of aerosols in serious nuclear reactor accidents. Nuclear Power Engineering, 2022, 43(2): 14. (in Chinese)

[12] Effects of thermophoresis on Brownian coagulation of spherical particles over the entire particle size regime. Particuology. 2022, 67:8-17.

[13] Identification of system parameters and external forces in AMB-supported PMSM system. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing. 2022, 166:108438.

[14] Nonlinear dynamic analysis of supercritical and subcritical Hopf bifurcations in gas foil bearing-rotor systems. Nonlinear Dynamics. 2021,103:2241–2256.

[15] The optical texture of PGA, Gilsocarbon, NBG-18, and IG-110 nuclear graphite. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 552(2021) .

[16] Strong base shock tests of a high-speed maglev motor – stability considerations and measurement results. International Journal of Structural Stability and Dynamics. 2021, 2150147.

[17] Shock-induced persistent contact and synchronous re-levitation control in rotor/magnetic bearing systems. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing. 2020, 163:108174.

[18] Nonlinear dynamic simulation and parametric analysis of a rotor-AMB-TDB system experiencing strong base shock excitations. Mechanism and Machine Theory 2021, 155:104071.

[19] An analytical solution of the population balance equation for simultaneous Brownian and shear coagulation in the continuum regime. Advanced Powder Technology, 2020, 31(5):2128-2135.

[20] A new method for solving population balance equations using a radial basis function network. Aerosol Science and Technology, 2020,1-12.

[21] Vibration isolation optimized design of magnetic suspended pump. International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, 2020, 63:81–103.

[22] Evaluation of thermophoretic effects on aerosol coagulation in HTGR conditions. Particuology, 2019.

[23] Measurements and analysis of adhesive forces for micron particles on common indoor surfaces. Indoor and Built Environment, 2019.

[24] The microstructure and texture of Gilsocarbon graphite. Carbon, 2019, 153:428-437.

[25] A novel moment method using the log skew normal distribution for particle coagulation. Journal of Aerosol Science, 2019, 134: 95-108.

[26] Extended log-normal method of moments for solving the population balance equation for Brownian coagulation. Aerosol Science & Technology, 2019, 53(3):332-343.

[27] A new approximation approach for analytically solving the population balance equation due to thermophoretic coagulation. Journal of Aerosol Science, 2019, 128: 125-137.

[28] Nuclear graphite wear properties and estimation of graphite dust production in HTR-10. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2017, 315: 35-41.

[29] Resuspension of multilayer graphite dust particles in a high temperature gas-cooled reactor. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2017, 322:497-503.

[30] Study on the resuspension of graphite dust based on the Rock'n'Roll model. Progress in Nuclear Energy, 2017, 98:313-320.

[31] Characterization of graphite dust produced by pneumatic lift. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2016, 305:104-109.

[32] Thermophoretic and turbulent deposition of graphite dust in HTGR steam generators. Nuclear engineering and design, 2016, 300:610-619.

[33] Robin Jean-Charles. Analysis of graphite gasification by water vapor at different conversions. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2014, 273: 68-74.

[34] Identification of active magnetic bearing system with a flexible rotor. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 2014, 49(1): 302-316.

[35] The mechanical behavior and reliability prediction of the HTR graphite component at various temperature and neutron dose ranges. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2014, 276:9-18.

[36] Calculation of collision frequency function for aerosol particles in free molecule regime in presence of force fields. Front. Energy 2013, 7(4): 506–510.

[37] Failure probability study of HTR graphite component using microstructure-based model. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2012, 253: 192-199.

[38] Pore structure development in oxidized IG-110 nuclear graphite. Journal of Nuclear Materials, 2012, 430(1-3): 229-238.

[39] Technical design and principle test of active magnetic bearings for the turbine compressor of HTR-10GT. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2012, 251: 38-46.

[40] Effect of weight loss rate of nuclear-grade graphite on its oxidation rate. Nuclear Power Engineering, 2013,34(3): 46-49. (in Chinese)

[41] Effects of gas flow rate and temperature on the oxidation rate of IG-110 core-grade graphite. Journal of Tsinghua University (Natural Science Edition), 2012, 52(4): 504-507-512. (in Chinese)

[42] The various creep models for irradiation behavior of nuclear graphite. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2012, 242: 19-25.

[43] Analysis of fuel element matrix graphite corrosion in HTR-PM for normal operating conditions. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2010, 240(4): 738-743.

[44] Experimental study on the synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes by acetylene/air premixed flame method. Journal of Engineering Thermo-physics, 2009, 30(1):165-168. (in Chinese)

[45] Lrge-scale numerical simulation of mechanical and thermal properties of nuclear graphite using a microstructure-based model. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2008, 238 (12): 3203-3207.

[46] Uncertainties of creep model in stress analysis and life prediction of graphite component. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2008, 238(9): 2256-2260.

[47] The modeling of graphite oxidation behavior for HTGR fuel coolant channels under normal operating conditions. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2008, 238(9): 2230-2238.

[48] Deposition of Aerosol in a Laminar Pipe Flow.  Science in China, 2008, 51(8):1242-1254.

[49] HTGR projects in China. Nuclear engineering and technology, 2007, 39 (2): 103-110.

[50] Theoretical analysis of mass transfer and reaction in a porous medium applied to the gasification of graphite by water vapor. Nuclear engineering and design, 2006, 236(9): 938-947.

[51] Comparison of oxidation behaviors of different grades of nuclear graphite. Nuclear science and Engineering, 2005, 151(1):121-127.

[52] Probability Assessment of Graphite Brick in the HTR-10. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2004, 227(2): 133-142.

[53] Effect of temperature on graphite oxidation behaviour. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2004, 227(3): 273-280.

[54] Deposition of Aerosol Particles in Laminar Flow over a Vertical Plate with Variable Temperatures. Proc. Combust. Inst., 29, 2003, 2415-2421.

[55] Future HTGR Developments in China after the Criticality of the HTR-10. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 2002, 218(1-3): 249-257.

[56] MC Simulation of Aerosol Aggregation and simultaneous Spheroidization. AICHE Journal, 2001, 47(3): 545-561.

[57] A Preliminary Kinetic Model of Chromium in a Hydrogen/Air Flame.  Combustion Science and Technology, 160, 2000, 38-46.

[58] The Transformation of Chromium in a Laminar Premixed Hydrogen-Air Flame. Proc. Combust. Inst., 1998, 27, 1639-1645.

[59] A Two-Dimensional Discrete-Sectional Model for Aerosol Nucleation and Growth in a Flame. Aerosol Science and Technology, 1998, 28(3): 185-196.

[60] An Approximate Method to Calculate the Collision Rates of Discrete-Sectional Model. Aerosol Science and Technology, 1997, 27(2): 266-273.

Plenary Presentations at Academic Conferences:

[1] The development history of China's nuclear power and the structural features of Hualong 1, The Plenary Presentation for 27th International Conference on Structural Mechanics in Reactor Technology (SMiRT 27), March 4-8 2024, Yokohama, Japan

[2] Robust Control of Directional Force in Magnetic Bearings (Invited Report). The 10th National Conference on Maglev and Vibration Control Technology, July 29-August 1, 2022, Shenyang, China

[3] Research on the Dynamic Characteristics of Impact and Friction of Magnetic Levitation Bearings (Invited Report). The 9th National Conference on Magnetic Levitation and Vibration Control Technology, July 20-23, 2021, Chengdu, China

[4] Multi-scale Study of Nuclear Graphite Oxidation with Oxygen: Reactive sites ratio derivation. The Plenary Presentation for 19th International Nuclear Graphite Specialists' Meeting (INGSM 19). Sep. 3rd-8th, 2018, Shanghai, China

[5] Application of Magletic Leviation Technology in China, Invited Lecture and Proc. of The Third International Turbomachinery Conference. April 12th-15th, 2018, Chongqing, China

[6] Advances in Structural Mechanics in Nuclear Energy Research. Keynote Presentation for 2011 International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences (ICCES'11) , April 18-20, 2011, Nanjing, China

[7] Application and Research of the Active Magnetic Bearing in the Nuclear Power Plant of High Temperature Reactor, The plenary presentation for The 10th international Symposium on Magnetic Bearings (ISMB 10), Aug 21st- 23rd, 2006, Martigny, Switzerland