● Sep., 2003 – Jan., 2009, Department of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua University, PhD, Nuclear Science and Technology

● Sep., 1999 – Jul., 2003, Department of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua University, Bachelor, Nuclear Engineering and Nuclear Technology

● Dec., 2019 – Now, Department of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua University, Associate Professor

● Jun., 2011 – Dec., 2019, Department of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua University, Assistant Professor

● Mar., 2009 – Jun., 2011, Department of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua University, Post Doctor

Teach undergraduate courses such as "Introduction to Fusion Energy," "Introduction to Fusion Physics and Engineering," and "Basic Professional Experiments," as well as graduate courses like "Introduction to Fusion Energy" and "High-Temperature Plasma Diagnostic Techniques".

Supervise approximately 8 doctoral candidates and 2 master's students currently enrolled.

Engaged in the research and development of nuclear fusion energy. Specifically, the research focuses on: exploring innovative magnetic confinement fusion approaches; designing, constructing, and operating fusion experimental devices based on spherical tokamaks and other ways; investigating new designs and processes for vacuum vessels and high-temperature superconducting magnets; studying supporting systems for fusion devices, including magnet power supplies, fueling methods, controllers, control algorithms, plasma heating techniques, plasma diagnostics, digital twins, and intelligent maintenance; as well as conducting plasma physics experiments.  

With over 20 years of experience in fusion research, I have been responsible for the operation and comprehensive upgrade of China’s first spherical tokamak, SUNIST. Key parameters such as toroidal magnetic field, plasma current, and flat-top duration were increased by 80%, 140%, and 400%, respectively, compared to their design values. Additionally, I co-proposed a novel fusion concept and led the design, construction, and operation of its preliminary technical validation device—the SUNIST-2 spherical tokamak—completing the verification mission in less than two years.

● 2025 – 2029: Plasma Control of Merging-Compression Startup and Heating in Spherical Tokamaks, Key R&D Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Principal Investigator

● 2021 – 2025: Suppression of Runaway Electrons by of Alfvén Wave Related Instabilities, National Natural Science Foundation of China (General Program), Project Leader

● 2022 – 2025: Development of Magnetic Reconnection Plasma Operation and Control Technology, Shaanxi Startorus Fusion Technology Co., Ltd., Project Leader

● 2023 – 2024: Scaling Studies of Magnetic Reconnection Heating in Fusion Plasmas, Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission and Zhongguancun Science Park Management Committee, Principal Investigator

1. Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a D-Shaped No-Insulation High-Temperature Superconducting Toroidal Magnet for Spherical Tokamaks, Fusion Engineering and Design, (accepted), Zhengxin Yin, Yi Tan, Lang Qin, et al, 2025

2. First results of lithium coating experiments in the SUNIST-2 spherical tokamak, Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, 67(7), Tingzhi Chang, Zhicheng Lei, …, Yi Tan, 2025

3. A Hybrid Cascaded H-Bridge Converter for Poloidal Magnets of Tokamaks, IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, 52(9), Zichong Song, Yi Tan, Shouzhi Wang, et al, 2024

4. A 100 kA-Class Modular Power Supply for Tokamak Magnets, IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, 52(9), Tingzhi Chang, Binbin Wang, Menghua Yang, Yi Tan, Rui Chen, 2024