Xiang (Frank) Chen
About Xiang (Frank) Chen
Xiang (Frank) Chen is a Research Staff member at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he has worked since 2016. He holds a PhD in Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has extensive experience in materials research, particularly in the areas of fracture toughness characterization and high temperature materials development.
Current Work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Xiang (Frank) Chen currently holds the position of Research Staff at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a role he has maintained since 2016. In this capacity, he leads efforts in fracture toughness characterization and the development of small specimen testing techniques as part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Fusion Energy Sciences program. Additionally, he serves as the Materials Research Pathway Deputy Lead for the Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program, where he conducts irradiation damage studies on stainless steel baffle former bolts from commercial operating light water reactors.
Previous Experience at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Prior to his current role, Xiang Chen worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in various capacities. He was a Visiting PhD Student from 2010 to 2012, followed by a position as a Postdoctoral Research Associate from 2012 to 2014. His experience at ORNL has contributed significantly to his expertise in materials science and engineering, particularly in the context of energy applications.
Education and Expertise
Xiang Chen earned his PhD in Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he studied from 2008 to 2012. He also holds a Master of Science in the same field from the same institution, completed between 2005 and 2008. Earlier, he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University from 2001 to 2005. His educational background supports his extensive research in high-temperature materials and structural integrity.
Research Contributions and Leadership
In addition to his current responsibilities, Xiang Chen has served as the principal investigator for the ORNL structural materials hot cell testing facility. He has also worked as a Research Engineer at ArcelorMittal from 2014 to 2016, where he applied his expertise in materials science to industry challenges. His leadership in developing high-temperature materials for Advanced Ultrasupercritical power plants under the U.S. DOE Fossil Energy program demonstrates his commitment to advancing energy technologies.
Academic Roles and Teaching Experience
Xiang Chen has a solid foundation in academia, having served as a Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 2005 to 2012. His teaching experience spans five years, during which he contributed to the education of future engineers and scientists. Additionally, he was a Visiting Scholar at the University of Pisa for six months in 2009, further enriching his academic and research perspectives.