Yong Kang Chen

Professor Yong Kang Chen is a Professor of Applied Mechanics at the University of Hertfordshire, where he leads the Energy and Sustainable Design research group and serves as Head of the Automotive, Mechanical and Mechatronic Division in the School of Physics, Engineering & Computer Science. He holds a PhD, MSc, and BEng, and is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) with fellowships from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE) and Higher Education Academy (FHEA).

His research focuses on applied mechanics with specialized interests in renewable energy systems, computational fluid dynamics, nanomaterials, and structural integrity. Key research themes include:

• Energy storage systems and flywheel technology optimization
• Phase change materials for building efficiency
• Wind turbine design for urban environments
• Surface engineering of polymer nano-composites
• Nano-fluid applications in thermal systems

His publication portfolio demonstrates strong emphasis on sustainable energy solutions, with recent work exploring wind turbine shroud systems, PCM-enhanced building materials, and flywheel energy storage optimization. Nanomaterial research constitutes a significant secondary focus, particularly carbon quantum dots for optoelectronic applications.

Honors include:

• Fellow of The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

He has secured over £1.3 million in research funding from EPSRC, Innovate UK, EU FP7 programs, and industrial partnerships. Notable projects include leadership roles in EU MAAT and SHELL consortiums, thermal analysis for Global Invacom Ltd, and development of structural health monitoring for wind turbine blades. He leads multiple active laboratories focusing on energy systems and advanced materials characterization.