Background

• Professor of Low Carbon Engineering, Loughborough University, 2009-now
• Senior Lecturer, Loughborough University, 2006-2009
• Lecturer, Loughborough University 1999-2006
• Research Associate, Loughborough University,1997-1999
• Research Assistant, University of Birmingham, 1990-1993
• Development Engineer, Chinese National Heavy Truck Company, 1985-1990

Qualifications

• BEng
• PhD
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) 2007-now
• Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE) 2007-now.

Key awards and Accomplishments

• IMechE PE Publishing Award (Best paper of J of Power and Energy) 2006.
• One of 25 most-cited articles (Int J of Thermal Sciences) in 2002 to 2005

Outline of main research interests

• Thermo sciences:
  • Combustion chemical kinetics and homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion;
  • Fast aircraft environment control system analysis and system engineering;
• Electrochemistry:
  • Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel cell (PEMFC) modelling, 1D, Lattice-Boltzmann, CFD;
  • Electric Impedance Spectrum (EIS) diagnostics;
• Fuels:
  • Compact hydrogen storage using sodium borohydride;
  • Alternative fuels: natural gas, bio-diesel, methanol and ethanol;
• Hybrid:
  • Zero constraint free piston energy converter
  • Real-world duty cycle for hybrid powertrain optimisation

Research groups

• Hybrid Vehicles and Advanced Propulsion

Current teaching responsibilities

• TTB110 - Internal Combustion Engines
• TTD101 - Vehicle Energy Technology
• TTP301 - Vehicle and Powertrain Functional Performance
• TTP401 - Sustainable Vehicle Powertrains

Kang, R., Zhou, L., Hua, J., Feng, D., Wei, H., Chen, R. (2019) Experimental investigation on combustion characteristics in dual-fuel dual-injection engine. Energy Conversion and Management, 181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2018.11.057

Fly, A., Meyer, Q., Whiteley, M., Iacoviello, F., Neville, T., Shearing, P.R., Brett, D.J.L., Kim, C., Chen, R. (2019) X-ray tomography and modelling study on the mechanical behaviour and performance of metal foam flow-fields for polymer electrolyte fuel cells. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 44(14). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.01.206

Lan, S., Yang, Z., Chen, R., Stobart, R. (2018) A dynamic model for thermoelectric generator applied to vehicle waste heat recovery. Applied Energy, 210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.11.004

Jinuntuya, F., Whiteley, M., Chen, R., Fly, A. (2018) The effects of gas diffusion layers structure on water transportation using X-ray computed tomography based Lattice Boltzmann method. Journal of Power Sources, 378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.12.016

Fly, A., Butcher, D., Meyer, Q., Whiteley, M., Spencer, A., Kim, C., Shearing, P.R., Brett, D.J.L., Chen, R. (2018) Characterisation of the diffusion properties of metal foam hybrid flow-fields for fuel cells using optical flow visualisation and X-ray computed tomography. Journal of Power Sources, 395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2018.05.070

Wei, H., Gao, D., Zhou, L., Feng, D., Chen, R. (2017) Different combustion modes caused by flame-shock interactions in a confined chamber with a perforated plate. Combustion and Flame, 178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2017.01.011

Xing, L., Du, S., Chen, R., Mamlouk, M., Scott, K. (2016) Anode partial flooding modelling of proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Model development and validation. Energy, 96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2015.12.048

View publications in our central  publications database

External roles and appointments

• Adjunct professor, Tianjin University, China, 2009 – 2012.
• Member of International Advisory Committee, Chinese State Key Laboratory of Engines (SKLE)

External Examiner

• University of Glamorgan, MSc Renewable Energy and Resource Management, 2009 – 2013.
• University of Lincoln, BEng & MEng Mechanical Engineering, 2010-2014.
• University of Sussex, Aerospace Technology MSc, Mechanical Engineering MSc, Advanced Mechanical Engineering MSc, 2010-2014.
• PhD, Imperial College London, 2005.
• PhD, Brunel University, 2008.
• PhD, University of Newcastle, 2009
• PhD, University of Birmingham, 2009