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 🎓

Zepeng Niu embarked on his academic journey at xi'an university of architecture and technology, where he earned a bachelor's degree in engineering in june 2018. his dedication to mechanical and electrical engineering led him to pursue a master’s degree at the same institution later that year. showing exceptional academic promise, he was selected in september 2019 for a direct doctoral program under the supervision of associate professor wang gengxiang. currently in his second year as a phd student, zepeng is delving deeply into the dynamics of flexible multibody systems and collision dynamics.

Professional endeavors 🛠️

During his doctoral studies, zepeng has contributed to advancing knowledge in mechanical and collision dynamics through collaborative research with esteemed professors and researchers. his work emphasizes both theoretical innovation and practical applications, particularly in multibody system dynamics. by engaging with cutting-edge problems in his field, he has positioned himself as a dedicated scholar with a focus on addressing engineering challenges.

Contributions and research focus 🔍

zepeng's research centers on flexible multibody system dynamics and collision dynamics, two critical areas in mechanical engineering. his significant contributions include developing improved analytical models and methodologies to address nonlinear behaviors in granular systems. his work has led to the creation of new Mechanical Engineering coefficients of restitution and enhanced methods like the improved craig–bampton approach, which have wide-ranging applications in durability and performance analysis of mechanical systems.

Accolades and recognition 🏅

zepeng’s contributions have been recognized through several impactful publications in prestigious journals such as mechanism and machine theory and powder Mechanical Engineering technology. his co-authored works introduce groundbreaking models for contact dynamics and analytical approaches to multibody systems. these accomplishments underline his growing reputation in the academic and engineering communities.

Impact and influence 🌍

zepeng's research has a transformative impact on understanding and predicting the behavior of complex mechanical systems. his innovative approaches to collision dynamics and multibody interactions are pivotal in advancing the durability and efficiency of engineered systems. his findings contribute not only to academia but Mechanical Engineering also to industries reliant on precise modeling and analysis.

Legacy and future contributions 🔮

as a promising researcher, zepeng niu is poised to leave a lasting legacy in mechanical engineering. his dedication to solving complex problems in dynamics and his innovative methodologies ensure his work will continue to influence the field. with a strong foundation and a forward-thinking approach, he is set to inspire future advancements in multibody system dynamics and beyond.

Notable Publications

Title: Analysis of Nonphysical Attraction Force and New Coefficient of Restitution Based on a Nonlinear Viscoelastic Contact Model in Cohesionless Granular System
Authors: Wang, G., Niu, Z., Cheng, F., Pan, Y.
Journal: Mechanism and Machine Theory, 2024, Vol. 203, Article 105821

Title: Improved Craig–Bampton Method Implemented into Durability Analysis of Flexible Multibody Systems
Authors: Wang, G., Niu, Z., Feng, Y.
Journal: Actuators, 2023, Vol. 12(2), Article 65