Professor YANG Huayong Awarded Robert E. Koski Medal by ASME

Professor YANG Huayong, dean of the School of Mechanical Engineering at Zhejiang University, has been named the recipient of the 2021 Robert E. Koski Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

The award recognizes individuals who have advanced the art and practice of fluid power motion and control through education and/or innovation. It was established in 2007 by the ASME Fluid Power Systems and Technology Division to honor Robert E. Koski's contributions to the field of design engineering and dynamic systems control.

Yang is an expert in fluid power transmission and control. His research on the development of the tunnel boring machine (TBM)—a large, complicated electromechanical machine widely used in tunnelling engineering projects for subway, highway, and highspeed train networks—has mostly involved accurate pressure control of the pressure chamber by fluid power systems and compliance design with the use of a new fluid power proportional system developed for sudden change of load and predictive posture control on the TBM. His work addressed three of the most difficult technical problems in the tunneling industry worldwide, including the instability of ground settlement, failure of key components, and misalignment of tunnel direction in the process of tunnel excavation. He was awarded the National Scientific and Technological Progress Prize (First Class) in 2012 by the Chinese Central Government, and the 2017 Joseph Bramah Medal by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers for his outstanding contributions to fluid power research, presented at the ASME/Bath Symposium on Fluid Power and Motion Control 2018.  The two start-up local companies that cooperated with his research team in the past 20 years have grown up to be the top two companies on TBM in the world. The series products of these two companies have acquired 50-70% of the global TBM market share, and have been used in over 32 countries across continents including Europe and America.

Yang received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China, and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from University of Bath in the United Kingdom.

Founded in 1880, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education, and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world.

Source: School of Mechanical Engineering