Associate Researcher at China Spallation Neutron Source | China
Dr. Wang Hay (Jack) Kan is an accomplished Associate Professor at the China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS), Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. With a research portfolio spanning solid-state chemistry, neutron scattering, and energy materials, he is recognized for advancing the field of energy storage and conversion. Holding a PhD from the University of Calgary, Dr. Kan combines academic rigor with real-world innovation, reflected in over 90 peer-reviewed publications, numerous patents, and extensive international collaborations. His research integrates in-situ neutron/X-ray techniques with advanced material design, making him a vital figure in next-gen energy solutions.
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🎓 Early Academic Pursuits
Dr. Kan’s academic path began with a First-Class Honors B.Sc. in Chemistry from HKUST, where he studied metal-organic frameworks under Prof. Ian D. Williams. He then pursued a Master’s at the University of Waterloo under the guidance of Prof. Linda Nazar, focusing on LiMPO₄ cathode materials. His academic excellence continued with a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Calgary, where he developed mixed conductors for SOFCs under Prof. V. Thangadurai. These formative years established his foundation in solid-state electrochemistry, crystallography, and materials engineering—skills critical for his later breakthroughs in energy storage research.
👨‍💼 Professional Endeavors
Dr. Kan has served as an Associate Professor at CSNS since 2015 and held visiting scientist positions at prestigious institutions like Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, ANSTO, and HKUST. He also served as Guest Professor at Beijing Jiaotong University and Tianjin University, contributing to both research and graduate mentorship. His professional journey blends academic research, national lab collaboration, and industry partnerships with leaders like CATL. His leadership extends to graduate advising, technical committee service, and international conference organization, showcasing a comprehensive contribution to both scientific advancement and institutional development.
🔬 Contributions and Research Focus
Dr. Kan’s research centers on energy materials, including lithium/sodium-ion batteries, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), and neutron diffraction techniques. He is an expert in in-situ structural characterization, focusing on meta-stable phases, oxygen redox reactions, and high-capacity cathode design. He pioneered novel composite materials such as Li-rich rock-salt oxides and dual-polyanion cathodes, contributing significantly to electrochemical innovation. Through his patents and publications, he has developed advanced electrolytes, neutron scattering hardware, and regeneration strategies for aged batteries, positioning himself as a leading materials chemist bridging basic science and application.
🌍 Impact and Influence
With an h-index of 35 and over 4400 citations, Dr. Kan’s work has shaped the fields of battery chemistry and neutron-based materials analysis. His leadership in establishing the Platform for Electrochemical and Neutron Studies (PANs) at CSNS has enabled transformative research infrastructure in China. His lectures across institutions in the USA, Australia, Korea, and China, and collaborations with SSRL and ANSTO, demonstrate global recognition. He has significantly influenced graduate education, national science policy, and industry research directions through his funding projects, reviews, and committee roles. Dr. Kan is considered a bridge between fundamental discovery and industrial impact.
đź“š Academic Cites
Dr. Kan has authored over 90 peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals including JACS, Angewandte Chemie, RSC Advances, and J. Mater. Chem. A. His Google Scholar profile (h-index: 35, 4449 citations) reflects a growing influence, particularly in solid-state ionics and battery materials. His most cited works span from early contributions on LiFePOâ‚„ morphology to recent innovations in Li-rich and dual-polyanion cathodes. He has also contributed chapters and conference abstracts to major symposia, cementing his role as a thought leader in electrochemical energy storage and neutron scattering applications.
🛠️ Research Skills
Dr. Kan excels in neutron diffraction, synchrotron X-ray scattering, electrochemistry, solid-state synthesis, and Rietveld refinement. He has developed novel in-situ cells for high-temperature and hydrothermal neutron scattering. His work involves crystal structure elucidation, electrical conductivity measurement, and catalytic performance evaluation under operando conditions. His facility with advanced instrumentation allows him to bridge microscopic structure with macroscopic performance in materials. Equally skilled in computational modeling, spectroscopy, and thermochemistry, Dr. Kan’s methodological versatility underpins his ability to innovate across disciplines.
🧑‍🏫 Teaching Experience
Dr. Kan has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses on energy storage and conversion systems at Beijing Jiaotong, Tianjin, and Foshan Universities. Earlier, he served as a teaching assistant at the University of Calgary and University of Waterloo, covering general, transition metal, and main group chemistry, as well as nanotechnology. His mentorship extends to graduate supervision, lab-based research training, and international collaboration guidance. He’s an active advisor and student chapter chair at CSNS, nurturing the next generation of electrochemists and materials scientists through an integrative and research-oriented pedagogy.
🏆 Awards and Honors
Dr. Kan has received over 30 awards, including the Ludo Frevel Crystallography Award, Young Research Fellowship (Asia-Oceania Neutron Scattering Association), and the Innovation Achievement Award from the Industrial Research Society of China. Notably, he received the Best Thesis Award at the 9th National Neutron Scattering Conference in 2023. He has been funded by NSFC, MOST, and provincial talent programs, highlighting his national recognition. His consistent award record from 2006 to 2025 reflects both academic excellence and sustained research impact, supported by international travel grants, fellowships, and scholarships.
🧠Legacy and Future Contributions
Dr. Kan’s legacy is rooted in pioneering work at the interface of energy materials and neutron science. By establishing platforms like PANs, advancing in-situ techniques, and mentoring future scientists, he is shaping the next era of electrochemical research. His upcoming projects on hard carbon anodes and sodium-ion batteries will deepen understanding of ion transport and storage mechanisms. Through ongoing collaborations with industry leaders like CATL and national labs, Dr. Kan will continue driving innovation in energy sustainability. His trajectory promises enduring contributions to science, technology, and environmental resilience.
Publications Top Notes
High-Entropy V-Based Null Matrix Alloys─Short/Long-Range Structural Features, Chemical Stabilities, and Mechanical Properties
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Authors: Man He, Chen Wang, Hua Yang, Dong-Ying Wu, Jey-Jau Lee, Xuan Huang, Hao Shen, Fangwei Wang, Maxim Avdeev, Wang Hay Kan
Journal: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
Year: 2025
A prismatic alkali-ion environment suppresses plateau hysteresis in lattice oxygen redox reactions
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Authors: Hao Yu, Ang Gao, Xiaohui Rong, Shipeng Shen, Xinqi Zheng, Liqin Yan, Haibo Wang, Dan Su, Zilin Hu, Wang Hay Kan et al.
Journal: Energy & Environmental Science
Year: 2024
A Family of V-Based Null Matrix Alloys with Atomic and Mesoscopic Homogeneity
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Authors: Man He, Chen Wang, Hua Yang, Dong-Ying Wu, Jey-Jau Lee, Fangwei Wang, Maxim Avdeev, Wang Hay Kan
Journal: ACS Applied Engineering Materials
Year: 2024
Author Correction: Stabilization of layered lithium-rich manganese oxide for anion exchange membrane fuel cells and water electrolysers
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Authors: Xuepeng Zhong, Lijun Sui, Menghao Yang, Toshinari Koketsu, Malte Klingenhof, Sören Selve, Kyle G. Reeves, Chuangxin Ge, Lin Zhuang, Wang Hay Kan et al.
Journal: Nature Catalysis
Year: 2024
Stabilization of layered lithium-rich manganese oxide for anion exchange membrane fuel cells and water electrolysers
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Authors: Xuepeng Zhong, Lijun Sui, Menghao Yang, Toshinari Koketsu, Malte Klingenhof, Sören Selve, Kyle G. Reeves, Chuangxin Ge, Lin Zhuang, Wang Hay Kan et al.
Journal: Nature Catalysis
Year: 2024