Yujie Chen

Research Interests

Metals and Alloy Materials Thin Film Coatings Microscopy Numerical Modelling and Mechanical Characterisation

Dr Yujie Chen

Senior Lecturer

School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering

College of Engineering and Information Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD as Principal Supervisor - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Dr Yujie Chen is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering and a former ARC DECRA Fellow (2021–2024). She holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with First Class Honours and a PhD in Materials Science, both from the University of Sydney. She specialises in advanced alloys, protective coatings and the mechanisms that govern materials’ mechanical performance.
 
Dr Chen explores how material composition and structure determine properties across multiple length scales, from micrometres down to the atomic scale. She combines advanced electron microscopy with thin-film fabrication, small-scale mechanical testing and computational modelling, using these insights to design materials that combine high strength and hardness with ductility and damage tolerance. Her work on multi-principal element alloys and nitrogen-supersaturated coatings advances the design of durable materials, with applications extending into advanced manufacturing, clean energy and biomedical technologies.
 
Dr Chen leads an emerging research group and develops collaborations with researchers and industry partners in Australia and internationally. Her research has been supported by ARC DECRA, ARC Discovery Project and Additive Manufacturing CRC industry project.

My research areas include:

  • Development of strong, tough, and durable engineering coatings
  • Processing-structure-property relationships in metallic materials
  • Structural and mechanical characterization of biological and bio-inspired materials
  • In-situ deformation electron microscopy 
  • Mechanical behaviors of nanostructured materials, including nanowires and thin films.

Date Position Institution name
2025 - ongoing Senior Lecturer University of Adelaide
2024 - 2024 Lecturer University of Adelaide
2021 - 2024 ARC DECRA Fellow University of Adelaide

Language Competency
Chinese (Mandarin) Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

Date Institution name Country Title
2016 University of Sydney Australia Doctor of Philosophy
2011 University of Sydney Australia Bachelor of Engineering (Honors, I)
2011 University of Sydney Australia Bachelor of Medical Science

Year Citation
2026 Zhou, Q., Xu, J., Peng, S., Jiang, M., Chen, Y., Xie, Z. H., & Munroe, P. (2026). Gradient TiZrHfMoW/(Mo,W)N multilayer coatings formed via Mo/W segregation: Coherent interface architecture and toughening mechanisms. Scripta Materialia, 270, 116943.
DOI Scopus6 WoS5
2026 Hanafi, R., Xu, J., Chen, Y., Xie, Z., & Munroe, P. (2026). Three-phase heterogenous microstructure and hardness enhancement in a TiZrHfMoW-O high-entropy coating prepared by reactive glow discharge sputtering. Applied Surface Science, 721, 165535.
DOI
2026 Chen, Y., Li, H., Tu, S., Song, J., Ye, C., & Qiao, S. -Z. (2026). Grain-Optimized Copper Current Collectors for Highly Stable Anode-Free Sodium Batteries. Advanced Materials, 38(11), e22541-1-e22541-11.
DOI Scopus10 WoS12 Europe PMC1
2026 Song, J., Chen, Y., Zhang, N., Peng, C., Li, H., Ye, C., & Qiao, S. -Z. (2026). Efficient Non-Invasive Rejuvenation of Spent Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries Through Controlled Overdischarge. Advanced Materials, 38(15), e22927-1-e22927-10.
DOI Scopus7 WoS6
2026 Sun, Y., Chen, Y., & Xie, Z. (2026). Computational analysis of interlocking joints with different geometries under tensile loads. Engineering structures, 353, 122339-1-122339-19.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2026 Hanafi, R., Zhou, Z., Webster, R. F., Chen, Y., Xie, Z., & Munroe, P. (2026). Dodecagonal quasicrystal formation in non-equimolar VCrCoNi medium-entropy alloy thin-films. Materialia, 48, 102779.
DOI
2025 Jiang, M., Xu, J., Chen, Y., Wang, L., Munroe, P., Xie, Z. -H., & Peng, S. (2025). High-Efficiency Photo-Assisted Large Current-Density Water Splitting with Mott-Schottky Heterojunctions. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 64(3), e202415492-1-e202415492-13.
DOI Scopus52 WoS50 Europe PMC8
2025 Jiang, M., Xu, J., Chen, Y., Wang, L., Zhou, Q., Munroe, P., . . . Peng, S. (2025). Interstitial Doping in Ultrafine Nanocrystals for Efficient and Durable Water Splitting.. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl, 64(14), e202424195.
DOI Scopus45 WoS40 Europe PMC6
2025 Zhao, Y., Gao, X., Shi, X., Li, B., Li, M., Xie, W., . . . Liao, B. (2025). (AlCrSiTiVZr)Nₓ high-entropy alloy nitride coatings: Enhanced hardness and damage-tolerance through nanocomposite structure. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 1018, 179169-1-179169-11.
DOI Scopus19 WoS18
2025 Kao, C. C., Ye, C., Hao, J., Chen, Y., Zhang, S. J., & Qiao, S. Z. (2025). Achieving High Energy Density in Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries. Advanced Energy Materials, 15(38), 2501201-1-2501201-24.
DOI Scopus105 WoS107
2025 Jiang, M., Xu, J., Zhou, Q., Chen, Y., Munroe, P., Li, L., . . . Peng, S. (2025). Rationally Designed Asymmetric Pt-O-Cu Ligand to Stabilize Active Sites towards Superior Industrial-Standard Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution.. Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English), 64(33), e202510259.
DOI Scopus40 WoS34 Europe PMC11
2025 Jiang, M., Xu, J., Chen, Y., Wang, L., Munroe, P., Xie, Z., & Peng, S. (2025). High‐Efficiency Photo‐Assisted Large Current‐Density Water Splitting with Mott‐Schottky Heterojunctions. Angewandte Chemie, 137(3).
DOI
2025 Jiang, M., Xu, J., Chen, Y., Wang, L., Zhou, Q., Munroe, P., . . . Peng, S. (2025). Interstitial Doping in Ultrafine Nanocrystals for Efficient and Durable Water Splitting. Angewandte Chemie, 137(14).
DOI
2025 Leung, J. Y. S., Nagelkerken, I., Pichler, E. L., Chen, Y., Jones, C. F., Xie, Z., & Connell, S. D. (2025). Morphological adjustments enable sea urchins to sustain calcified structure function under ocean acidification. Proceedings of the Royal Society B : Biological Sciences, 292(2059), 20251893-1-20251893-12.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC2
2024 Chen, Y., Xu, J., Jiang, M., Wang, L., Ma, R., Chen, Y., . . . Peng, S. (2024). Enhancing Oxygen Evolution Reaction Performance: Electrochemical Activation of the Biphasic CoNi/Zn(Fe,Al,Cr)<inf>2</inf>O<inf>4</inf> via Controlled Aluminum Leaching Facilitated Surface Reconstruction. Advanced Energy Materials, 14(9), 13 pages.
DOI Scopus26 WoS25
2024 Chen, Y., Xu, J., Chen, Y., Wang, L., Jiang, S., Xie, Z. -H., . . . Peng, S. (2024). Rapid Defect Engineering in FeCoNi/FeAl₂O₄ Hybrid for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Catalysis: A Pathway to High-Performance Electrocatalysts. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 63(28), e202405372-1-e202405372-13.
DOI Scopus54 WoS39 Europe PMC15
2024 Chen, Y., Ma, J., Lin, Y., Hora, Y., Zhou, Z., Slattery, A., . . . Xie, Z. (2024). Interstitial engineering enabling superior mechanical properties of nitrogen-supersaturated Fe₅₀Mn₃₀Co₁₀Cr₁₀ high-entropy alloys. Acta Materialia, 277, 120214-1-120214-13.
DOI Scopus35 WoS36
2024 Sun, J., Li, H., Chen, Y., & An, X. (2024). Bidirectional Phase Transformations in Multi-Principal Element Alloys: Mechanisms, Physics, and Mechanical Property Implications. Advanced Science, 11(39), e2407283-1-e2407283-14.
DOI Scopus50 WoS50 Europe PMC3
2024 Gao, X., Li, B., Zhao, Y., Shi, X., Chen, Y., Liao, B., & Ren, E. (2024). Influence of Substrate Bias Voltage on Structure and Properties of (AlCrMoNiTi)N Films. Nanomaterials, 14(24), 2002-1-2002-12.
DOI Scopus5 WoS5
2024 Chen, Y., Xu, J., Chen, Y., Wang, L., Jiang, S., Xie, Z., . . . Peng, S. (2024). Rapid Defect Engineering in FeCoNi/FeAl<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Hybrid for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Catalysis: A Pathway to High‐Performance Electrocatalysts. Angewandte Chemie, 136(28).
DOI
2023 Lu, S., Sun, X., Tian, Y., An, X., Li, W., Chen, Y., . . . Vitos, L. (2023). Theory of transformation-mediated twinning. PNAS nexus, 2(1), 1-11.
DOI Scopus53 WoS48 Europe PMC3
2023 Huang, S., Wu, H., Chen, Y., Zhao, Z., Liu, X., Deng, Y., & Zhu, H. (2023). A novel NbC/CrMnFeCoN₀.₈ high entropy alloy matrix composites with ultrastrength and ductility: Experiments and density function theory. Composites Communications, 38, 101510-1-101510-6.
DOI Scopus24 WoS23
2023 Zhao, Y., Yan, W., Chen, Y., Xie, W., Chen, S., Wu, S., . . . Liao, B. (2023). Influence of N concentration on structure and properties of (AlCrMoTiV)N<inf>x</inf> films by co-filter cathodic vacuum arc deposition. Surface and Coatings Technology, 459, 1-11.
DOI Scopus32 WoS30
2023 Chen, Y., Xu, J., Chen, Y., Xie, Z. H., & Munroe, P. (2023). Hybrid Metal/Spinel Oxide Coating with Microcone Arrays to Stimulate a Photothermal-Augmented Oxygen Evolution Reaction. Small, 19(49), e2302781.
DOI Scopus7 WoS6 Europe PMC3
2023 Huang, S., Wu, H., Chen, Y., & Zhu, H. (2023). Enhancing the strength-ductility trade-off in C<inf>0·1</inf>CrMnFeCoNi<inf>0.8</inf> high-entropy alloy: A combined experimental and DFT study. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 27, 1114-1127.
DOI Scopus6 WoS5
2023 Li, J., Zhao, Y., Shi, X., Zheng, J., Dong, Y., Chen, J., . . . Wang, S. (2023). (AlCrMoTiNi)1-XNX high entropy ceramic with high hardness and toughness prepared by co-filtered cathodic vacuum arc deposition. Ceramics International, 49(24 Part A), 40382-40391.
DOI Scopus22 WoS21
2022 Zhao, Y., Chen, S., Chen, Y., Wu, S., Xie, W., Yan, W., . . . Zhang, S. (2022). Super-hard and anti-corrosion (AlCrMoSiTi)N<inf>x</inf> high entropy nitride coatings by multi-arc cathodic vacuum magnetic filtration deposition. Vacuum, 195, 10 pages.
DOI Scopus68 WoS59
2022 Zhao, Y., Zhang, X., Quan, H., Chen, Y., Wang, S., & Zhang, S. (2022). Effect of Mo addition on structures and properties of FeCoNiCrMn high entropy alloy film by direct current magnetron sputtering. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 895(2), 8 pages.
DOI Scopus60 WoS56
2022 Tsianikas, S. J., Chen, Y., Jeong, J., Zhang, S., & Xie, Z. (2022). Forging strength-ductility unity in a high entropy steel. Journal of Materials Science and Technology, 113, 158-165.
DOI Scopus16 WoS15
2022 Wu, J., Chen, Y., & Zhu, H. (2022). A Review on the Tribological Performances of High-Entropy Alloys. Advanced Engineering Materials, 24(8), 34 pages.
DOI Scopus62 WoS54
2022 Kismarahardja, A., Wang, Z., Li, D., Wang, L., Fu, L., Chen, Y., . . . Liao, X. (2022). Deformation-Induced Phase Transformations in Gold Nanoribbons with the 4H Phase. ACS Nano, 16(2), 3272-3279.
DOI Scopus11 WoS11 Europe PMC7
2022 Li, J., Chen, Y., Zhao, Y., Shi, X., wang, S., & Zhang, S. (2022). Super-hard (MoSiTiVZr)N<inf>x</inf> high-entropy nitride coatings. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 926, 11 pages.
DOI Scopus115 WoS105
2022 Xu, J., Zhao, Y., Chen, Y., Chen, Y., Xie, Z. -H., & Munroe, P. R. (2022). A Superhydrophilic, Light/Microwave-Absorbing Coating with Remarkable Antibacterial Efficacy.. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 14(37), 42468-42482.
DOI Scopus39 WoS38 Europe PMC13
2022 Tsianikas, S., Chen, Y., Slattery, A., Peters, J., & Xie, Z. (2022). Adaptive attenuation of hierarchical composition fluctuations augments the plastic strain of a high entropy steel. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 857, 144037.
DOI Scopus6 WoS5
2022 Huang, Q., Yang, J., Chen, Z., Chen, Y., Cabral, M. J., Luo, H., . . . Liao, X. (2022). Formation of Head/Tail-to-Body Charged Domain Walls by Mechanical Stress. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 15(1), 2313-2318.
DOI Scopus7 WoS6
2021 Chen, Y., An, X., Zhou, Z., Munroe, P., Zhang, S., Liao, X., & Xie, Z. (2021). Size-dependent deformation behavior of dual-phase, nanostructured CrCoNi medium-entropy alloy. Science China Materials, 64(1), 209-222.
DOI Scopus36 WoS36
2021 Xu, J., Pan, Z., Peng, S., Zhao, Y., Jiang, S., Chen, Y. J., . . . Munroe, P. (2021). Remarkable bactericidal traits of a metal-ceramic composite coating elated by hierarchically structured surface. iScience, 24(1), 101942.
DOI Scopus15 WoS12 Europe PMC3
2021 Chen, Y., An, X., Zhang, S., Fang, F., Huo, W., Munroe, P., & Xie, Z. (2021). Mechanical size effect of eutectic high entropy alloy: effect of lamellar orientation. Journal of Materials Science and Technology, 82, 10-20.
DOI Scopus25 WoS23
2021 Tsianikas, S., Chen, Y., Jeong, J., Zhang, S., & Xie, Z. (2021). Self-toughened high entropy alloy with a body-centred cubic structure. Nanoscale, 13(6), 3602-3612.
DOI Scopus17 WoS18 Europe PMC2
2021 Chen, Y., Chen, D., An, X., Zhang, Y., Zhou, Z., Lu, S., . . . Xie, Z. (2021). Unraveling dual phase transformations in a CrCoNi medium-entropy alloy. Acta Materialia, 215, 117112-1-117112-9.
DOI Scopus106 WoS105
2021 Chen, Y., An, X., Zhou, Z., Ma, J., Munroe, P., Zhang, S., & Xie, Z. (2021). Remarkable toughness of a nanostructured medium-entropy nitride compound. Nanoscale, 13(35), 15074-15084.
DOI Scopus19 WoS19 Europe PMC2
2020 Tsianikas, S. J., Chen, Y., & Xie, Z. (2020). Deciphering deformation mechanisms of hierarchical dual-phase CrCoNi coatings. Journal of Materials Science and Technology, 39, 7-13.
DOI Scopus19 WoS17
2020 Leung, J. Y. S., Chen, Y., Nagelkerken, I., Zhang, S., Xie, Z., & Connell, S. D. (2020). Calcifiers can adjust shell building at the nanoscale to resist ocean acidification. Small, 16(37), 2003186-1-2003186-8.
DOI Scopus39 WoS38 Europe PMC21
2019 Leung, J. Y. S., Doubleday, Z. A., Nagelkerken, I., Chen, Y., Xie, Z., & Connell, S. D. (2019). How calorie-rich food could help marine calcifiers in a CO₂-rich future. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 286(1906), 20190757-1-20190757-5.
DOI Scopus35 WoS33 Europe PMC21
2018 Qin, J., Yang, D., Maher, S., Lima-Marques, L., Zhou, Y., Chen, Y., . . . Losic, D. (2018). Micro- and nano-structured 3D printed titanium implants with a hydroxyapatite coating for improved osseointegration. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 6(19), 3136-3144.
DOI Scopus90 WoS76 Europe PMC40
2018 Chen, Y., Zhou, Z., Munroe, P., & Xie, Z. (2018). Hierarchical nanostructure of CrCoNi film underlying its remarkable mechanical strength. Applied Physics Letters, 113(8), 081905-1-081905-5.
DOI Scopus28 WoS26
2017 Chen, Y., An, X., & Liao, X. (2017). Mechanical behaviors of nanowires. Applied Physics Reviews, 4(3), 031104-1-031104-29.
DOI Scopus75 WoS74
2016 Chen, Y., Burgess, T., An, X., Mai, Y. W., Tan, H. H., Zou, J., . . . Liao, X. (2016). Effect of a High Density of Stacking Faults on the Young's Modulus of GaAs Nanowires. Nano Letters, 16(3), 1911-1916.
DOI Scopus76 WoS72 Europe PMC26
2015 Chen, Y., An, X., Liao, X., & Mai, Y. W. (2015). Effects of loading misalignment and tapering angle on the measured mechanical properties of nanowires. Nanotechnology, 26(43), 435704-1-435704-7.
DOI Scopus5 WoS6 Europe PMC1
2015 Chen, Y., Gao, Q., Wang, Y., An, X., Liao, X., Mai, Y. W., . . . Jagadish, C. (2015). Determination of Youngs Modulus of Ultrathin Nanomaterials. Nano Letters, 15(8), 5279-5283.
DOI Scopus53 WoS48 Europe PMC23
2013 Chen, B., Wang, J., Gao, Q., Chen, Y., Liao, X., Lu, C., . . . Jagadish, C. (2013). Strengthening brittle semiconductor nanowires through stacking faults: Insights from in situ mechanical testing. Nano Letters, 13(9), 4369-4373.
DOI Scopus47 WoS46 Europe PMC25

Year Citation
2022 Chen, Y., Munroe, P., Xie, Z., & Zhang, S. (2022). High-entropy alloy-based coatings: Microstructures and properties. In S. Zhang, J. -M. Ting, & W. -Y. Wu (Eds.), Protective Thin Coatings Technology (1 ed., pp. 205-232). Oxon, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis.
DOI Scopus5
2016 Chen, Y., & Liao, X. (2016). Mechanical Behaviors of Semiconductor Nanowires. In S. A. Dayeh, A. F. i Morral, & C. Jagadish (Eds.), Semiconductor Nanowires II: Properties and Applications (Vol. 94, pp. 109-158). Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA: Elsevier.
DOI Scopus12 WoS12

2021  Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA), Australian Research Council (ARC). "Ultra-tough coatings via materials engineering".

Engineering Mechanics - Dynamics

Materials I

Materials & Manufacturing

Advanced Manufacturing Systems

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2025 Principal Supervisor Enhanced Mechanical Properties of CrCoNi-Based Multi-Principal Element Alloys via Microstructure Tailoring Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Weicheng Qian
2025 Co-Supervisor High entropy alloy VCrCoNi coating against mechanical damage. Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Adeola Martins Oketola
2025 Principal Supervisor Design and Development of Durable High-Entropy Ceramic Coatings for Extreme Environments Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Yassin Fouad
2023 Co-Supervisor A bio-inspired suture interlocked structure for load-carrying applications Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Yirui Sun

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2023 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Enhanced Mechanical Properties of CrCoNi-Based Multi-Principal Element Alloys via Microstructure Tailoring Doctor of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Weicheng Qian
2017 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Mechanically Robust Compositionally Complex Alloys Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Simon Jason Tsianikas

Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
2021 - ongoing Board Member Smart Materials in Manufacturing KeAi Publishing China

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