Mr. Yuan Zhang | Mining Engineering | Best Researcher Award
China University of Mining and Technology, China
👨🎓Profiles
🎓 Early Academic Pursuits
Mr. Yuan Zhang laid the foundation of his academic excellence at the China University of Mining and Technology, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering (2004–2008) and continuing directly to his Doctorate in the same field (2008–2013). His early academic years were marked by a focus on the intricacies of mining engineering, setting the stage for a career committed to innovation in mining safety, geothermal development, and environmental protection.
🧑🏫 Professional Endeavors
Following his doctoral studies, Mr. Zhang joined the School of Mining Engineering at his alma mater, initially as a Lecturer (2013–2017) and later promoted to Associate Professor in 2018. He also broadened his expertise internationally as a Visiting Scholar (2018–2019) at the Institute of Energy and Geological Sciences, The University of Utah, USA, where he collaborated with esteemed figures like John McLennan, Professor Joe Moore, and Shu Jiang. Since 2020, he has been an Associate Professor in the Department of New Energy Science and Engineering, focusing on integrating sustainable practices into mining engineering.
🔬 Contributions and Research Focus
Mr. Zhang’s research focuses on rock mechanics and formation control, geothermal development, mine safety, and environmental protection. His notable contributions include the coal-thermal co-mining method for mitigating high-temperature hazards in deep mines and the development of unconventional karst geothermal water mining technology. Additionally, he has pioneered methods to address coal measure waste, creating a functional cementitious material from mine fly ash and innovating solid waste-based foam concrete for underground plugging. He also invented the supercritical carbon dioxide foamed concrete method, pushing the frontier of sustainable construction materials in mining applications.
🌎 Impact and Influence
Mr. Zhang’s research has significantly impacted the mining industry, particularly in improving worker safety, geothermal energy utilization, and environmental stewardship. His solutions to manage high-temperature damage and coal waste recycling not only increase operational safety and efficiency but also align mining practices with the broader goals of sustainable development and climate resilience.
📚 Academic Citations
With groundbreaking work on coal-thermal systems, geothermal applications, and innovative cementitious materials, Mr. Zhang’s research contributions have garnered growing academic attention. His methods are being recognized for their practical implications and scientific rigor, particularly within the fields of mining engineering, geothermal energy, and environmental geotechnics.
🛠️ Technical Skills
Mr. Zhang possesses strong expertise in rock mechanics, thermal hazard prevention, geothermal resource extraction, solid waste management technologies, and foamed concrete materials development. His hands-on skills are complemented by his ability to innovate sustainable and practical solutions for the challenges faced in deep mining and geothermal energy sectors.
👩🏫 Teaching Experience
As a dedicated educator at the China University of Mining and Technology, Mr. Zhang has been actively involved in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses related to mining engineering and geothermal science. He emphasizes practical problem-solving, industry collaboration, and research-driven education, inspiring a new generation of engineers to think beyond conventional boundaries.
🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions Highlight
Mr. Yuan Zhang’s legacy lies in his pioneering technologies for safer, more sustainable mining operations and his innovations in geothermal energy utilization. Looking forward, he aims to expand research in deep geothermal development and carbon capture integrated construction materials, ensuring that mining and energy industries can transition toward safer, greener futures. His ongoing collaborations with leading international researchers continue to reinforce his role as a bridge between academic excellence and industrial advancement.
📖Notable Publications
Numerical Simulation Research on Thermal Insulation Performance of Composite Heat-Insulation Zone Structure in Hydrothermal High-Temperature Mine
Authors: Yanhe Li, Zhijun Wan, Zhenzi Yu, Bo Zhang, Yuan Zhang
Journal: Scientific Reports
Year: 2024
Regional Structural Controls on a Hydrothermal Geothermal System in the Eastern Pingdingshan Coalfield, China: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Yanhe Li, Kun Yu, Zhijun Wan, Zheng Zhen, Baoxin Zhang
Year: 2024
Preparation and Carbon Sequestration Properties of Supercritical CO₂ Foamed Concrete
Authors: Xupeng Ta, Yuan Zhang, Zhijun Wan, Jingxu Chen, Jing Zhang
Journal: Meitan Xuebao / Journal of the China Coal Society
Year: 2024
3D Geological Modeling of Mine Karst Geothermal Reservoir and Geothermal Resources Evaluation
Authors: Yuan Zhang, Zhijun Wan, Songbo Hu, Bo Zhang, Dong Zhao
Journal: Meitan Xuebao / Journal of the China Coal Society
Year: 2024
Reasonable Depth of the Borehole for In-situ Stress Measurements
Authors: Wending Ma, Jiale Zhou, Yuan Zhang, Younin Hao, Guangli Du
Journal: Caikuang yu Anquan Gongcheng Xuebao / Journal of Mining and Safety Engineering
Year: 2024
Dimensionless Analysis of the Spatial–Temporal Coupling Characteristics of the Surrounding Rock Temperature Field in High Geothermal Roadway Realized by Gauss–Newton Iteration Method
Authors: Jiale Zhou, Yuan Zhang, Peng Shi, Yang Liu
Journal: Applied Sciences (Switzerland)
Year: 2024