Dr. Bo Chen

Dr. Bo Chen joined Coventry University in September 2015 as Lecturer in Materials and Manufacturing Processes. He has worked as a Research Associate in the School of Materials, The University of Manchester (2013-2015) and as a Teaching Associate and Research Assistant in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bristol (2011-2013). He has degrees in Materials Science and Engineering from Beihang University in China (BSc) and in Mechanical Engineering from University of Bristol in the UK (PhD).

He has over 7 years experience in developing the mechanistic understanding and predictive models of nuclear materials performance (creep deformation, damage as well as oxidation) under extreme environments. His research interests are in the use of both experimental and modelling techniques at different length-scales to develop a mechanistic understanding of materials performance and predict the lifetime of key engineering components. He has a track record in the use of worldwide neutron diffraction facilities to measure residual stresses and understand the micro-mechanics of materials. To date, he has published 11 journal papers and 15 conference papers.

He is currently recruiting for a studentship, focussing on 'Assessing strengths of joints for high pressure vessels'.

• Chen, B., Hu, J.N., Wang, Y.Q., Zhang, S.Y., Van Petegem, S., Cocks, A.C.F., Smith, D.J., and Flewitt, P.E.J. (2015) 'Role of the misfit stress between grains on the Bauschinger effect for a polycrystalline material'. Acta Materialia, 85, 229-242.
• Chen, B., Flewitt, P.E.J., Cocks, A.C.F., and Smith, D.J. (2015) 'A review of the changes of internal state related to high temperature creep of polycrystalline metals and alloys'. International Materials Reviews, 60, 1-29.
• Chen, B., Skouras, A., Wang, Y.Q., Kelleher, J.F., Zhang, S.Y., Smith, D.J., Flewitt, P.E.J., and Pavier, M.J. (2014) 'In situ neutron diffraction measurement of residual stress relaxation in a welded steel pipe during heat treatment'. Materials Science and Engineering A, 590, 374-383.
• Chen, B., Hu, J.N., Flewitt, P.E.J., Smith, D.J., Cocks, A.C.F., and Zhang, S.Y. (2014) 'Quantifying internal stress and internal resistance associated with thermal ageing and creep in a polycrystalline material'. Acta Materialia, 67, 207-219.
• Chen, B., Flewitt, P.E.J., Smith, D.J., and Jones, C.P. (2011) 'An improved method to identify grain boundary creep cavitation in 316H austenitic stainless steel'. Ultramicroscopy, 111, 309-313.
• Chen, B., Flewitt, P.E.J., and Smith, D.J (2010) 'Microstructural sensitivity of 316H austenitic stainless steel: residual stress relaxation and grain boundary fracture'. Materials Science and Engineering A, 527, 7387-7399.

• Environmental Impact on the Structural Integrity of Nuclear Components (ENVISINC). This project aims to develop a new and fundamental understanding of environmentally assisted failure mechanisms (creep-fatigue-corrosion) within nuclear power plants. 

• Understanding the Material Internal State associated with Thermal Ageing and Creep. This project aims to improve the structural integrity assessment methodology applied to the UK’s existing nuclear power plant for lifetime extension.