Dr. Xu Zhang | Engineering Award | Best Scholar Award
Associate professor at Hubei University of Technology, China
Xu Zhang is a distinguished scholar specializing in intelligent non-destructive testing (NDT) technologies. With a solid academic foundation in Acoustics, her expertise spans sensor design, guided wave testing, and the integration of artificial intelligence in NDT systems. Zhang has been the principal investigator on several prestigious projects, including National Natural Science Foundation of China and National Key Research and Development Plan projects. She has made significant contributions to the fields of electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs), guided wave detection methods, and corrosion imaging. Her research is not only innovative but also highly relevant to critical industries such as aerospace, automotive, and infrastructure.
Professional Profile
Education
Xu Zhang’s academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Acoustics from Nanjing University in 2010. She furthered her education with a Master’s and PhD in Acoustics from the prestigious Chinese Academy of Sciences, where she honed her research focus on non-destructive testing technologies. In 2016, she became an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Hubei University of Technology. Xu is currently a Visiting Fellow at the University of Bristol, where she collaborates with global experts on advanced NDT methods. Her academic background has equipped her with a deep understanding of the complexities in material testing, structural health monitoring, and the application of electromagnetic and ultrasonic technologies in engineering.
Experience
Xu Zhang has extensive experience in the field of non-destructive testing and advanced materials inspection. Since 2016, she has served as an Associate Professor at Hubei University of Technology, specializing in intelligent NDT technologies. Zhang has been the Principal Investigator (PI) in numerous high-profile national and provincial projects, focusing on ultrasonic and electromagnetic testing techniques for stress corrosion cracking and high-temperature creep materials. Notable projects she has led include the development of an ultrasonic phased array detection system for automotive steering parts and the creation of technology for pipeline corrosion imaging. Her expertise spans sensor design, guided wave testing, and the integration of artificial intelligence into NDT systems. Zhang is also a Senior Member of the Chinese Mechanical Engineering Society and an active participant in global research discussions on intelligent testing methodologies.
Research Focus
Xu Zhang’s research is primarily focused on intelligent non-destructive testing (NDT) technologies, with a specific emphasis on ultrasonic and electromagnetic guided wave techniques. She is dedicated to the development of advanced sensor systems and diagnostic tools that can detect flaws and assess material integrity in complex engineering structures. One of her key areas of research is the integration of artificial intelligence into NDT methodologies, enabling more efficient and accurate defect detection. Zhang’s work has applications in diverse industries, including automotive, aerospace, and infrastructure, particularly in stress corrosion cracking detection, high-temperature material assessment, and pipeline monitoring. Additionally, her research explores the enhancement of testing systems with electromagnetic transducers and phased array technologies, which improve detection sensitivity and system reliability. Her contributions to NDT technology continue to shape the future of materials testing and structural health monitoring.
Awards and Honors
Xu Zhang has been recognized for her pioneering work in non-destructive testing, particularly in the application of electromagnetic and ultrasonic guided wave technologies. As a Principal Investigator (PI), she has secured several prestigious grants and awards, including the National Key Research and Development Plan Project and the National Natural Science Foundation of China Project. Her research on stress corrosion cracking detection, material assessment, and corrosion imaging has earned her numerous accolades. Zhang has also been honored with key research project leadership positions from the Provincial Science and Technology Department, reflecting her influence in advancing the state of engineering diagnostics. She continues to contribute to the scientific community, and her work in non-destructive testing systems is frequently recognized for its practical applications in the fields of materials science and engineering.
Conclusion
Publications Top Noted
A novel amplitude enhancement method of EMAT for High-frequency Rayleigh-like waves in Circumferential propagation
Authors: Zhang, X., Li, B., Niu, X., Song, X., Wu, Q.
Citations: 0
Year: 2024
Journal: NDT and E International, 148, 103231
Investigation of an Active Focusing Planar Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Transducer
Authors: Wu, Q., You, B., Zhang, X., Tu, J.
Citations: 0
Year: 2024
Journal: Sensors, 24(13), 4082
Characterization of Small Delamination Defects by Multilayer Flexible EMAT
Authors: Chen, T., Liu, S., Lv, C., Wu, Q., Zhang, X.
Citations: 1
Year: 2024
Journal: IEEE Sensors Journal, 24(12), pp. 19210–19219
Unidirectional focusing Rayleigh waves EMAT for plate surface defect Inspection
Authors: Chen, T., Lou, T., Lv, C., Wu, Q., Zhang, X.
Citations: 0
Year: 2024
Journal: Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation (Article in Press)
Design and experimental study of electromagnetic ultrasonic single-mode guided wave transducer for small-diameter stainless steel tubes
Authors: Tu, J., Zhan, X., Sun, H., Zhang, X., Song, X.
Citations: 3
Year: 2024
Journal: Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation (Article in Press)
Internal and External Pipe Defect Characterization via High-Frequency Lamb Waves Generated by Unidirectional EMAT
Authors: Zhang, X., Li, B., Zhang, X., Yuan, J., Wu, Q.
Citations: 3
Year: 2023
Journal: Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), 23(21)
Bolt Axial Stress Measurement Based on the Dual-Mode Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer
Authors: Zhang, X., Li, W., Wu, Q., Cai, C., Song, X.
Citations: 2
Year: 2023
Journal: IEEE Sensors Journal, 23(13), pp. 13978–13986
Energy Transfer Efficiency Based Nonlinear Ultrasonic Testing Technique for Debonding Defects of Aluminum Alloy Foam Sandwich Panels
Authors: Tu, J., Yao, N., Ling, Y., Zhang, X., Song, X.
Citations: 0
Year: 2023
Journal: Sensors, 23(6), 3008
Optimized Design of Torsional Guided Wave Magnetostrictive Patch Transducer Based on Reversed Wiedemann Effect
Authors: Li, C., Yang, R., Gu, J., Wang, S., Zhang, X.
Citations: 5
Year: 2023
Journal: Journal of Nondestructive Evaluation, 42(1), 26
Enhancing the Lift-Off Performance of EMATs by Applying an Fe3O4 Coating to a Test Specimen
Authors: Liang, B., Li, Z., Zhai, G., Zhang, X., Dixon, S.
Citations: 5
Year: 2023
Journal: IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 72, 9502104