1. Jianfeng Wang, Chao Yang*, Yuke Liu, et al. Using nanoindentation to quantify the mechanical profile of the Wufeng–Longmaxi Formation in southwestern China: link to sedimentary conditions. Solid Earth, 2025, 16(9), 819-839.

2. Jianfeng Wang, Chao Yang*, Yuke Liu, et al. Examining the reliability of current micro-and nano-indentation-based rock mechanical upscaling schemes: A comprehensive comparison with uniaxial/triaxial macroscopic mechanical testing. Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources, 2025, , 11(28), 1-29..

3. Chao Yang*; Yuke Liu, et al. Mechanical characterization of organic matter in Silurian Longmaxi Formation shale in South China using nanoindentation technique: Contributing to organic thermal evolution, shale maturity determination, and shale gas development. Submitted.

4. Jianfeng Wang, Yuke Liu*, Chao Yang, et al. Upscaling the creep behavior of clay-rich and quartz-rich shales from nanoindentation measurements: Application to the Wufeng-Longmaxi shale, China. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 2023, 171, 105580.

5. Chao Yang; Yuke Liu*; Jianfeng Wang; Zheng Su**, Yongqiang Xiong. Application of nanoindentation technique in mechanical characterization of organic matter in shale: Attentive issues, test protocol, and technological prospect. Gas Science and Engineering, 2023, 113, 204966.

6. Yuke Liu; Chao Yang*; Jianfeng Wang; Yongqiang Xiong; Ping'an Peng. Rheology of Coal at Particle Level Characterized by Nanoindentation. Natural Resources Research, 2023, 32(3), 1359-1380.

7. Yuke Liu; Chao Yang*; Jianfeng Wang; Yongqiang Xiong; Ping'an Peng. New insights into the hydration-induced creep behavior of shale at the microscale using nanoindentation: A comparison study of brittle black shale and clayey oil shale at micro-scale. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2022, 138: 105554.

8. Qinyi Zhang, Daidai Wu, Guangrong Jin, Shengyi Mao, Jie Liu, Chao Yang, Lihua Liu, Xing Xu, Peining Yang, Yiyun Cao, Lihua Liu, Zheng Su. Novel use of unique minerals to reveal an intensified methane seep during the last glacial period in the South China Sea. Marine Geology, 2022, 452:106901

9. Qinyi Zhang, Daidai Wu, Guangrong Jin, Xing Xu, Chao Yang, Lihua Liu. Methane seep in the Shenhu area of the South China sea using geochemical and mineralogical features. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2022, 144:105829

10. Chao Yang*; Liuhua Liu; Daidai Wu; Wenmin Jiang; Yun Li; Yongqiang Xiong. Unscrambling the source kitchen and hydrocarbon prospect of the ultra-deepwater area in southern Pearl River Mouth basin, South China Sea: Insights from the first ultra-deepwater exploration well W21 with CO₂-containing hydrocarbon reservoirs, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 2022, 216: 110827, 1-19.

11. Wenmin Jiang, Yun Li*, Chao Yang, Yongqiang Xiong. Organic geochemistry of source rocks in the Baiyun Sag of the Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2021, 124, 104836.

12. Jianfeng Wang, Yuke Liu, Chao Yang, Wenmin Jiang*, Yun Li*, Yongqiang Xiong. Evolution of mechanical properties of kerogen with thermal maturity. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2022, 145, 105906. 

13. Jianfeng Wang; Chao Yang*; Yuke Liu; Yun Li; Yongqiang Xiong. Using Nanoindentation to Characterize the Mechanical and Creep Properties of Shale: Load and Loading Strain Rate Effects. ACS Omega, 2022, 7(16): 14317−14331.

14. Chao Yang; Yongqiang Xiong*; Jianfeng Wang; Yun Li; Wenmin Jiang. Mechanical characterization of shale matrix minerals using phase-positioned nanoindentation and nano-dynamic mechanical analysis. International Journal of Coal Geology, 2020, 229: 103571.

15. Chao Yang, Yongqiang Xiong*, Jinchuan Zhang. A comprehensive re-understanding of the OM-hosted nanopores in the marine Wufeng–Longmaxi shale formation in South China by organic petrology, gas adsorption, and X-ray diffraction studies. International Journal of Coal Geology, 2020, 218, 103362.

16. Chao Yang, Yongqiang Xiong*, Jinchuan Zhang, Yuke Liu, and Cong Chen. Comprehensive Understanding of OM-Hosted Pores in Transitional Shale: A Case Study of Permian Longtan Shale in South China Based on Organic Petrographic Analysis, Gas Adsorption, and X-ray Diffraction Measurements. Energy & Fuels, 2019, 33, 9, 8055-8064.

17. Yang, Chao; Jinchuan Zhang*; Xiangzeng Wang; Xuan Tang; Yongchang Chen; Gong Xue. Nanoscale pore structure and fractal characteristics of a marine-continental transitional shale: A case study from the lower Permian Shanxi Shale in the southeastern Ordos Basin, China. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 2018, 88: 54-68.

18. Chao Yang; Jinchuan Zhang*; Xuan Tang; Jianghui Ding; Qianru Zhao; Wei Dang; Haoyu Chen; Yang Su; Bowen Li; Dengfang Lu. Comparative study on micro-pore structure of marine, terrestrial, and transitional shales in key areas, China. International Journal of Coal Geology, 2017, 171: 76-92.

19. Chao Yang*; Jinchuan Zhang; Shuangbiao Han; Bing Xue; Qianru Zhao. Classification and the developmental regularity of organic-associated pores (OAP) through a comparative study of marine, transitional, and terrestrial shales in China. Journal of Gas Science and Engineering, 2016, 36: 358-368.

20. Chao Yang*; Jinchuan Zhang; Shuangbiao Han; Xiangzeng Wang, Lin Wang, Wenwu Yu. Compositional controls on pore-size distribution by nitrogen adsorption technique in the Lower Permian Shanxi Shales, Ordos Basin. Journal of Gas Science and Engineering, 2016, 34: 1369-1381.