Prof. WANG Jian (王健)

Dr. Jian WANG obtained his BEng degree in Energy, Power System, and Automation Engineering from XJTU (China) in 2013. During his UG life, he obtained the National Scholarship twice from the Ministry of Education of P.R.China and was selected as the top 15 finalist of the Outstanding Student Model of XJTU (highest honor with 10 awardees out of all undergraduates in XJTU). After the UG education, he took one year’s postgraduate course at XJTU majoring in solid mechanics, and then he moved to the HKUST for Ph.D study. In 2017, he visited Northwestern University (USA) working with Prof. Sossina Haile on developing solid oxide fuel cells, and in 2018 he received Ph.D degree from the HKUST. Before joining the SEE at CityU, he worked as the SNU Science Fellow researcher at Seoul National University (Korea). Dr. WANG’s research is focusing on sustainable energy conversion and storage devices, e.g., fuel cells, electrolyzers, and batteries, with a particular interest in the dynamic electrochemical energy process.

Electrochemical cells (e.g., fuel cells, electrolyzers, batteries) are made of complex components, characterizing which from a specific scale fails to convey comprehensive or even correct insights. Moreover, with continuous mass & energy exchange with the external environment, electrochemical cells respond dynamically. Ex-situ characterizations cannot reflect the dynamic energy process well. Through in-situ experimental setups, we are targeting to operando probe electrochemical cells across multiple scales, reveal the dynamic composition-structure-performance relationship for energy cells, and clarify the mechanisms of their energy conversion & storage processes. Further by integrating finite element analysis and quantum mechanics calculations, we are improving the understanding of those energy cells. Meanwhile, by precisely regulating the real-time behavior of energy materials, we are developing high-performance and cost-effective energy devices. Some specific research interest includes the following and beyond:

• Operando monitoring and in-situ modulation of electrochemical energy process;
• Developing sustainable energy devices (Fuel cells, Electrolyzers, Vehicle batteries);
• CO2 splitting and reduction technology;
• Environmental and Economic analysis & optimization of energy systems;
• Thermal management of electronic devices;
• Finite element analysis and first-principle calculation.