Zhijun Yao

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Zhijun Yao is a leading researcher in advanced ultrasonic and photoacoustic sensing technologies, with a focus on nondestructive evaluation and structural health monitoring. His work bridges materials science and imaging physics to solve critical challenges in inspecting complex industrial components. Yao’s most cited paper, “Flexible and high-intensity photoacoustic transducer with PDMS/CSNPs nanocomposite for inspecting thick structure using laser ultrasonics” (2022, 25 citations), introduces a novel nanocomposite-based transducer that enables high-intensity, flexible photoacoustic generation—a breakthrough for laser ultrasonic inspection of thick, curved structures without cumbersome robotic systems. This work has been recognized for its potential to transform in-field inspection of aerospace and energy infrastructure. More recently, his 2025 study on “Complex-Shaped Surface Reconstruction and Internal Defect Imaging With Omnidirectional Ultrasound Virtually Synthesized by Rotating Probe” addresses the longstanding difficulty of imaging internal defects in curved parts. By virtually synthesizing omnidirectional ultrasound from a rotating probe, Yao eliminates the need for multi-axis robotic arms and surface-conformal scanning, significantly reducing inspection complexity and cost. His contributions are advancing practical, deployable solutions for detecting hidden defects in safety-critical components, making him a rising voice in the nondestructive evaluation community.