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From Marie Curie’s pioneering research on radiation to today’s leading scientists, women have played a crucial role in shaping our understanding of the physical world. As International Women’s Day on March 8 highlights the pursuit of equity across all fields, it is also a moment to recognize the researchers driving innovation today. Nearly a year into her role as Canada Excellence Research Chair in Impact of Radiation in Energy and Advanced Technologies at Queen’s, Dr. Yanwen Zhang (Smith Engineering) is building on this legacy through her work enhancing materials for use in extreme environments.

Testing the limits of nuclear materials 

As the world moves toward cleaner energy solutions, nuclear energy, including nuclear fusion, has the potential to provide a nearly limitless power source with minimal waste. A major challenge, however, is ensuring that reactor materials can withstand extreme heat and radiation over time without breaking down. Since arriving at Queen’s, Dr. Zhang has delivered five presentations and published nine studies examining how reactor materials hold up under these conditions, contributing to the development of more resilient energy systems.

Her most recent explores how specialized metal alloys hold up in nuclear fusion reactors. To test their durability, her team implanted helium ions into an alloy and heated it to 1000°C, simulating conditions inside a reactor. They found that helium bubbles, which can weaken materials over time, remained stable up to 700°C and expanded only slightly at higher temperatures. Computer simulations revealed that the alloy’s atomic structure plays a key role in this stability. Its complex mix of elements creates a disordered arrangement that slows helium movement, reducing damage and making the material more resilient. These findings suggest that designing alloys with this kind of chemical complexity could lead to stronger, longer-lasting materials for fusion energy. 

“By simulating the conditions found in nuclear reactors, we can develop materials that last longer and perform more reliably,” says Dr. Zhang. “This work is essential for advancing sustainable energy solutions and ensuring the safety and efficiency of next-generation nuclear technologies.” 

In another promising research area, Dr. Zhang is investigating how atomic bonding influences a material’s ability to absorb radiation and resist degradation. Her research examines both complex metal alloys and ceramics, focusing on how their bonding structures impact durability. By fine-tuning the balance of metallic, ionic, and covalent bonds, she aims to optimize materials for high-radiation environments and contribute to the broader push for sustainable, long-term energy solutions.

Putting nuclear research infrastructure to the test

A key part of Dr. Zhang’s research takes place at the , a specialized facility at Queen’s that replicates radiation damage to study how materials degrade over time. The lab’s accelerator introduces high-energy particles (protons and helium) into materials, creating microscopic damage that researchers analyze to understand material degradation. There are plans to expand RMTL’s capabilities to include heavy ions, enabling a full-spectrum study of radiation damage. Insights from this work help inform efforts to refine material performance.

"Queen’s offers the research environment and advanced facilities needed to drive real progress in nuclear materials science. By working alongside experts and leveraging cutting-edge technology, we can accelerate discoveries that strengthen nuclear energy systems."

– Dr. Zhang, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Impact of Radiation in Energy and Advanced Technologies

Drawing on her decades of experience and collaborations in Europe and the US, including with the University of Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Idaho National Laboratory, Dr. Zhang aims to strengthen international partnerships. She hopes to secure major funding opportunities through these collaborations, further strengthening Queen’s position as a leader in advanced materials research.

Building an inclusive research community

An important part of Dr. Zhang’s work is fostering an environment where researchers can push the boundaries of science and innovation. She currently supervises one postdoctoral researcher and will expand her team this summer by hosting five summer interns and recruiting master’s and PhD students this fall. In addition to mentoring students in their current research, Dr. Zhang is helping them navigate their academic and professional paths, empowering them to achieve their goals. She recognizes the importance of representation in STEM and hopes to inspire more women to pursue careers in nuclear materials science, just as she was encouraged by the women who mentored her early in her career.

“Progress in materials science does not happen in isolation,” says Dr. Zhang. “Early in my career, I was fortunate to learn from women who supported and challenged me, and now I want to create that same environment for the next generation of researchers.”