Dr. HEEJIN SHIM - Manufacturing - Best Researcher Award

Korea Institute of Fusion Energy - South Korea

Author Profile

🎓 Early academic pursuits

Hee Jin Shim began her academic journey in mechanical engineering at hanyang university, republic of korea, where she earned her m.s. degree (2003–2005) and ph.d. degree (2005–2010). her graduate research emphasized fatigue, fracture, and reliability, focusing on mechanical system durability. her doctoral thesis, “a study on the durability evaluation with strain-hardening characteristics for cold forged pulley,” showcased advanced understanding in continuum mechanics, vibration fatigue, mechanical testing, and ut inspection, laying a solid foundation for high-level engineering applications, including power electronics systems where structural integrity is paramount.

💼 Professional endeavors

Shim’s career reflects a consistent evolution in the field of nuclear engineering and tokamak technology. from july 2010 to april 2014, she served as a senior researcher at kepco e&c co., inc., contributing to the continued operation and safety of phwr and candu plants, including fatigue assessments and system design for the apr+. since may 2014, she has been a pivotal member of the korea institute of fusion energy (kfe), advancing from the Manufacturing blanket technology team to the diagnostics & codac technology team. her current role as principal researcher within the tokamak engineering department highlights her leadership in fusion device components and system integration.

🔬 Contributions and research focus

Shim’s core research focuses on mechanical integrity assessment, particularly in fusion energy and nuclear systems. she has contributed significantly to manufacturing assessments, non-destructive evaluations (nde), and ultrasonic testing (ut) procedures for high-precision components such as shield blocks and diagnostic shield modules (dsm). her work ensures the reliability and safety of fusion devices, involving complex cad modeling (catia/enovia) and Manufacturing qualification of pic components. shim's cross-disciplinary expertise bridges material science, mechanical testing, and power electronics, particularly in harsh environments where component reliability is essential.

🌐 Impact and influence

Shim’s influence is most evident in her contributions to international fusion collaborations, especially in the iter project. her leadership in the development, supervision, and qualification of blanket shield blocks and dsm prototypes has helped standardize best practices for manufacturing and inspection in fusion engineering. shim’s efforts in integrating structural design with Manufacturing advanced ut procedures and environmental fatigue assessments have enhanced operational safety in both nuclear power plants and fusion reactors—key sectors increasingly integrated with power electronics for system control and diagnostics.

📚 Academic cites

While her research is deeply embedded in practical engineering applications, shim’s academic contributions are equally notable. her work on strain-hardening characteristics, fatigue monitoring systems, and non-destructive evaluation procedures continues to be cited in both academic and industrial literature. her collaboration in long-term government and energy projects has also led to technical documentation used in Manufacturing regulatory and development frameworks for next-generation reactors and tokamak systems.

🌟 Legacy and future contributions

Shim’s legacy is built on combining mechanical engineering precision with nuclear fusion innovation. as fusion energy moves toward commercialization, her ongoing work in codac technologies, system integration, and component durability will remain essential. her future pursuits likely include the refinement of inspection standards, the integration of smart diagnostics, and the development of components resilient to high-stress operational cycles—especially where power electronics and mechanical systems must seamlessly interact for safe energy conversion.

Notable Publications

Title: Manufacturing Assessment of the Simplified Full-Scale Prototype of Diagnostics Shield Module (DSM) for Application of ITER Upper Port 18
Author(s): [Author information not provided in the available data]
Journal: Fusion Engineering and Design, August 2025
Title: Corrigendum to “Shut-down dose rate analysis for final design of shielding tent in port interspace of ITER UP#18”
Author(s): [Author information not provided in the available data]
Journal: Fusion Engineering and Design, 2024
Title: Optimization of Processing Parameters in Deep Penetration Electron Beam Welding of Stainless Steel 316L for ITER Diagnostic Shield Module Application
Author(s): [Author information not provided in the available data]
Journal: IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, 2024
Title: The Diagnostic Rack Design and the Functional Demonstration of the Locking Mechanism for ITER Diagnostic Lower Port Integrations
Author(s): [Author information not provided in the available data]
Journal: Fusion Engineering and Design, 2024
Title: A Comparison Study on the Derivation of In-Structure FRS During Seismic Events for Application of ITER Upper Port 18
Author(s): [Author information not provided in the available data]
Journal: Fusion Engineering and Design, 2023

🎓 Early academic pursuits

Jrjeng Ruan's academic journey began with a bachelor's degree in chemistry from national tsing hua university, taiwan, in 1993. he further pursued a master's degree in materials science and engineering from national sun yat-sen university, taiwan, where he conducted research on the rheological behavior of poly(ethylene-co-propylene) solutions under the guidance of prof. an-chung su. his passion for polymer science led him to the university of akron, u.s.a., where he obtained his ph.d. in polymer science in 2003. under the mentorship of prof. stephen z.d. cheng, he delved into the phase behavior, molecular, and supramolecular structures of liquid crystalline polymers containing cyanobiphenyl side-chains, setting the foundation for his future research contributions.

🌟 Professional endeavors

After earning his doctorate, dr. ruan embarked on a postdoctoral fellowship at institut charles sadron-centre national de la recherche scientifique in strasbourg, france, where he worked with drs. bernard lotz and annette thierry. he then joined milliken & company inc. as an industrial consultant, gaining valuable experience in applied materials research. in 2005, he transitioned to china steel corporation as a research engineer, further broadening his expertise. in 2006, he commenced his academic career at national cheng kung university (ncku), where he has held positions as assistant professor, associate professor, and currently, a full professor in the department of materials science and engineering. his dedication to research and teaching has made him a key figure in advancing materials science in taiwan.

🔮 Contributions and research focus

Dr. Ruan's research encompasses a diverse array of topics in polymer physics and materials engineering. he has made significant contributions to the study of phase transition and Materials Science crystallization behaviors, molecular organization, and assembly. his work on polymer composites, semiconductive polymers, organic electronics, and organic-inorganic hybrid materials has been instrumental in advancing the field. he has also explored cutting-edge areas such as piezoelectric and dielectric materials, biomaterials, and 2d materials, pushing the boundaries of materials innovation. his expertise in x-ray and electron diffraction, small-angle x-ray scattering, and transmission electron microscopy has provided critical insights into structural analysis and material characterization.

🏆 Accolades and recognition

Dr. Ruan's extensive research contributions have earned him recognition within the scientific community. he has served as a reviewer for numerous high-impact journals, including Materials Science macromolecules, polymer, carbon, and rsc advances. his involvement in major research institutions, such as the national synchrotron radiation research center and the ministry of science and technology in taiwan, highlights his esteemed reputation. his role in evaluating grants and projects for various national universities and institutes underscores his influence in shaping the future of materials science research in taiwan.

🔍 Impact and influence

Through his academic and research endeavors, dr. ruan has significantly impacted the field of polymer science. his studies on dispersion of carbon nanotubes and graphene sheets, graphene Materials Science aerogels, and langmuir films have contributed to advancements in nanotechnology and green materials. his research on photocatalytic and electrocatalytic water splitting aligns with global efforts toward sustainable energy solutions. as an educator, he has mentored numerous students and researchers, fostering the next generation of materials scientists and engineers.

🌍 Legacy and future contributions

Dr. ruan's legacy is marked by his unwavering commitment to scientific discovery and education. his contributions to polymer science and materials engineering continue to inspire new research directions. looking ahead, he aims to further develop sustainable materials and advanced nanostructures for energy applications. his ongoing collaborations with international researchers and institutions will undoubtedly lead to groundbreaking discoveries, reinforcing his impact on the global scientific community. his dedication to mentoring young scientists ensures that his influence will extend far beyond his own research, shaping the future of materials science for years to come.