Future Power Systems

Current and recent research partners and supporters include

• Jaguar Cars
• Johnson Matthey
• NEL
• Race Technology
• MS UK
• Lister-Petter
• SHELL Global Solutions (UK)
• Lubrizol
• EPSRC
• Carbon Trust
• European Commission
• Thermal Engines Group of the Castilla-La Mancha University – Spain
• Exothermia SA (software engineering company) - Greece

Ongoing

• A Project on Fuels Quality and Effects on Fule Injection Equipment and Engine Operation (SHELL),
• FP7_IAPP_GENFUEL, European Commission
• Premixed Combustion Flame Instability Characteristics (PREFIC), UKRI Engineering & Physical Science Research Council

Journals / Technical papers

Zhang, G., Xu, H., Wu, D., Yang, J., Morsy, M. E., Jangi, M., & Cracknell, R. (2025). Relationship investigation between quantitative cellular information and self-acceleration of lean hydrogen-air spherical premixed flame. Energy, 325, 136175.

Olalere, R. K., Zhang, G., Liu, H., Ma, X., & Xu, H. (2025). Experimental study of combustion and emissions characteristics of low blend ratio of 2-methylfuran/2-methyltetrahyrofuran with gasoline in a DISI engine. Fuel, 382, 133799.

Zhang, G., Zhang, Y., Shi, P., Chen, P., Schneider, L., Xu, H., & Wu, D. (2025). Near-field jet characteristics of a single-hole medium-/low-pressure hydrogen injector. Energy, 314, 134122.

Zhang, Y., Zhang, G., Wu, D., Wang, Q., Nadimi, E., Shi, P., & Xu, H. (2024). Parameter sensitivity analysis for diesel spray penetration prediction based on GA-BP neural network. Energy and AI, 18, 100443.

Zhang, G., Xu, H., Wu, D., Yang, J., Morsy, M. E., Jangi, M., & Cracknell, R. (2024). Quantitative three-dimensional reconstruction of cellular flame area for spherical hydrogen-air flames. Fuel, 375, 132504.

Zhang, G., Shi, P., Zhai, C., Jin, Y., Han, M., Liu, S., ... & Luo, H. (2024). Review of energy self-circulation systems integrating biogas utilization with Powerfuels production in global livestock industry. Bioresource Technology, 408, 131193.

Zhang, G., Xu, H., Wu, D., Yang, J., Morsy, M. E., Jangi, M., ... & Kim, W. (2024). Deep learning-driven analysis for cellular structure characteristics of spherical premixed hydrogen-air flames. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 68, 63-73.

Zhang, F., Zhang, G., Wang, Z., Wu, D., Jangi, M., & Xu, H. (2024). Experimental investigation on combustion and emission characteristics of non-premixed ammonia/hydrogen flame. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 61, 25-38.

Olalere, R. K., Zhang, G., & Xu, H. (2024). Experimental investigation of gaseous emissions and hydrocarbon speciation for MF and MTHF gasoline blends in DISI engine. International Journal of Automotive Manufacturing and Materials, 3(1), 6.

Badawy, T., Turner, J. W., & Xu, H. (2024). Evaluation of engine performance and emissions in an optical DISI engine with various spark plug designs and gaps. Fuel, 357, 129900.

Wen, C., Li, J., Zhou, Q., Lu, G., & Xu, H. (2024). Thermal efficiency predictive modelling of dedicated hybrid engines based on an optimal multi-network structure. International Journal of Powertrains, 13(1), 54-74.

He, X., Li, J., Zhou, Q., Lu, G., & Xu, H. (2023). Robust key parameter identification of dedicated hybrid engine performance indicators via K-fold filter collaborated feature selection. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, 126, 107114.

Li, J., Zhou, Q., He, X., Chen, W., & Xu, H. (2023). Data-driven enabling technologies in soft sensors of modern internal combustion engines: Perspectives. Energy, 272, 127067.

Li, J., Wu, D., Attar, H. M., & Xu, H. (2022). Geometric neuro-fuzzy transfer learning for in-cylinder pressure modelling of a diesel engine fuelled with raw microalgae oil. Applied Energy, 306, 118014.

Badawy, T., Xu, H., & Li, Y. (2022). Macroscopic spray characteristics of iso-octane, ethanol, gasoline and methanol from a multi-hole injector under flash boiling conditions. Fuel, 307, 121820.

Liu, H., Yu, Y., Wang, C., Xu, H., & Ma, X. (2021). Brownian coagulation of particles in the gasoline engine exhaust system: Experimental measurement and Monte Carlo simulation. Fuel, 303, 121340.

Liu, H., Olalere, R., Wang, C., Ma, X., & Xu, H. (2021). Combustion characteristics and engine performance of 2-methylfuran compared to gasoline and ethanol in a direct injection spark ignition engine. Fuel, 299, 120825.

Coratella, C., Parry, L., Li, Y., & Xu, H. (2021). Experimental investigation of the rail pressure fluctuations correlated with fuel properties and injection settings. Automotive Innovation, 4(2), 215-226.

Liu, H., Li, Z., Zhang, M., Xu, H., Ma, X., & Shuai, S. (2021). Exhaust non-volatile particle filtration characteristics of three-way catalyst and influencing factors in a gasoline direct injection engine compared to gasoline particulate filter. Fuel, 290, 120065.

Jiang, C., Wang, C., Xu, H., Liu, H., & Ma, X. (2021). Engine performance and emissions of furan-series biofuels under stratified lean-burn combustion mode. Fuel, 285, 119113.

Coratella, C., Sahu, A., Parry, L., Xu, H., & Ma, X. (2020). Experimental investigation of the orifice-to-orifice variability in jet velocities in a diesel injector. Fuel, 280, 118353.

Coratella, C., Parry, L., & Xu, H. (2020). Experimental Investigation of Injection Pressure Fluctuations Employing Alternative Fuels (No. 2020-01-2122). SAE Technical Paper.

Zhang, P., Su, X., Yi, C., Chen, H., Xu, H., & Geng, L. (2020). Spray, atomization and combustion characteristics of oxygenated fuels in a constant volume bomb: A review. Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering (English Edition), 7(3), 282-297.

Zeraati-Rezaei, S., Al-Qahtani, Y., Herreros, J. M., & Xu, H. (2020). Investigation of the effects of split-injection on particle emissions from a Dieseline CI engine. Applied Energy, 262, 114470.

Liu, H., Wang, C., Yu, Y., Xu, H., & Ma, X. (2020). An experimental study on particle evolution in the exhaust gas of a direct injection SI engine. Applied Energy, 260, 114220.

Sahu, A., Wang, C., Jiang, C., Xu, H., Ma, X., Xu, C., & Bao, X. (2019). Effect of CO2 and N2 dilution on laminar premixed MTHF/air flames: Experiments and kinetic studies. Fuel, 255, 115659.

Coratella, C., Parry, L., Sahu, A., & Xu, H. (2019). Optical sensor for the needle lift detection in the common rail injector (No. 2019-24-0193). SAE Technical Paper.

Zeraati-Rezaei, S., Al-Qahtani, Y., Herreros, J. M., Ma, X., & Xu, H. (2019). Experimental investigation of particle emissions from a Dieseline fuelled compression ignition engine. Fuel, 251, 175-186.

Liu, F., Hu, R., Li, Y., Yang, Z., & Xu, H. (2019). Effects of fuel temperature on injection performance of an EUP system. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering, 233(3), 671-686.

Bao, X., Sahu, A., Jiang, Y., Badawy, T., & Xu, H. (2019). Flame kernel evolution and shock wave propagation with laser ignition in ethanol-air mixtures. Applied Energy, 233, 86-98.

Li, J., Li, Z., Zhou, Q., Zhang, Y., & Xu, H. (2019). Improved scheme of membership function optimisation for fuzzy air‐fuel ratio control of GDI engines. IET Intelligent Transport Systems, 13(1), 209-217.

Wang, B., Li, Y., Jiang, Y., Xu, H., & Zhang, X. (2018). Dynamic spray development of 2-methylfuran compared to ethanol and isooctane under ultra-high injection pressure. Fuel, 234, 581-591.

Badawy, T., Attar, M. A., Hutchins, P., Xu, H., Venus, J. K., & Cracknell, R. (2018). Investigation of injector coking effects on spray characteristic and engine performance in gasoline direct injection engines. Applied Energy, 220, 375-394.

Shuai, S., Ma, X., Li, Y., Qi, Y., & Xu, H. (2018). Recent progress in automotive gasoline direct injection engine technology. Automotive Innovation, 1(2), 95-113.

Ma, H., Li, Z., Tayarani, M., Lu, G., Xu, H., & Yao, X. (2018). Computational intelligence nonmodel-based calibration approach for internal combustion engines. Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control, 140(4), 041002.

Wang, B., Wang, Z., Bao, X., Li, Y., Jiang, Y., Xu, H., & Zhang, X. (2018). Microscopic investigation of near-field spray characteristics of 2-methylfuran, ethanol and isooctane under flash boiling conditions. Fuel, 215, 142-152.

Wang, C., Herreros, J. M., Jiang, C., Sahu, A., & Xu, H. (2018). Engine thermal efficiency gain and well-to-wheel greenhouse gas savings when using bioethanol as a gasoline-blending component in future spark-ignition engines: a China case study. Energy & Fuels, 32(2), 1724-1732.

Wang, Z., Li, Y., Guo, H., Wang, C., & Xu, H. (2018). Microscopic and macroscopic characterization of spray impingement under flash boiling conditions with the application of split injection strategy. Fuel, 212, 315-325.

Xu, C., Zhong, A., Li, X., Wang, C., Sahu, A., Xu, H., ... & Huang, Y. (2017). Laminar burning characteristics of upgraded biomass pyrolysis fuel derived from rice husk at elevated pressures and temperatures. Fuel, 210, 249-261.

Zeraati-Rezaei, S., Al-Qahtani, Y., & Xu, H. (2017). Investigation of hot-EGR and low pressure injection strategy for a Dieseline fuelled PCI engine. Fuel, 207, 165-178.

Wang, B., Jiang, Y., Hutchins, P., Badawy, T., Xu, H., Zhang, X., ... & Tafforeau, P. (2017). Numerical analysis of deposit effect on nozzle flow and spray characteristics of GDI injectors. Applied Energy, 204, 1215-1224.

Jiang, C., Xu, H., Srivastava, D., Ma, X., Dearn, K., Cracknell, R., & Krueger-Venus, J. (2017). Effect of fuel injector deposit on spray characteristics, gaseous emissions and particulate matter in a gasoline direct injection engine. Applied energy, 203, 390-402.

Bao, X., Jiang, Y., Xu, H., Wang, C., Lattimore, T., & Tang, L. (2017). Laminar flame characteristics of cyclopentanone at elevated temperatures. Applied energy, 195, 671-680.

Wang, B., Badawy, T., Hutchins, P., Tu, P., Xu, H., & Zhang, X. (2017). Numerical investigation of the deposit effect on GDI injector nozzle flow. Energy Procedia, 105, 1671-1676.

Wang, Z., Badawy, T., Wang, B., Jiang, Y., & Xu, H. (2017). Experimental characterization of closely coupled split isooctane sprays under flash boiling conditions. Applied Energy, 193, 199-209.

Wang, C., Chahal, J., Janssen, A., Cracknell, R., & Xu, H. (2017). Investigation of gasoline containing GTL naphtha in a spark ignition engine at full load conditions. Fuel, 194, 436-447.

Badawy, T., Bao, X., & Xu, H. (2017). Impact of spark plug gap on flame kernel propagation and engine performance. Applied energy, 191, 311-327.

Wang, C., Zeraati-Rezaei, S., Xiang, L., & Xu, H. (2017). Ethanol blends in spark ignition engines: RON, octane-added value, cooling effect, compression ratio, and potential engine efficiency gain. Applied energy, 191, 603-619.

Wang, B., Badawy, T., Jiang, Y., Xu, H., Ghafourian, A., & Zhang, X. (2017). Investigation of deposit effect on multi-hole injector spray characteristics and air/fuel mixing process. Fuel, 191, 10-24.

Jiang, Y., Xu, H., Ma, X., Bao, X., & Wang, B. (2017). Laminar burning characteristics of 2-MTHF compared with ethanol and isooctane. Fuel, 190, 10-20.

Wang, Z., Ma, X., Jiang, Y., Li, Y., & Xu, H. (2017). Influence of deposit on spray behaviour under flash boiling condition with the application of closely coupled split injection strategy. Fuel, 190, 67-78.

Wang, Z., Jiang, C., Xu, H., Badawy, T., Wang, B., & Jiang, Y. (2017). The influence of flash boiling conditions on spray characteristics with closely coupled split injection strategy. Applied energy, 187, 523-533.

Badawy, T., Williamson, J., & Xu, H. (2016). Laminar burning characteristics of ethyl propionate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl acetate, gasoline and ethanol fuels. Fuel, 183, 627-640.

Wang, Z., Li, Y., Wang, C., Xu, H., & Wyszynski, M. L. (2016). Experimental study on primary breakup of diesel spray under cold start conditions. Fuel, 183, 617-626.

Wang, B., Badawy, T., Li, Y., Xu, H., Jiang, Y., & Zhang, X. (2016). Study of Near Nozzle Spray Characteristics of Ethanol under Different Saturation Ratios (No. 2016-01-2189). SAE Technical Paper.

Wang, Z., Wang, B., Jiang, C., Xu, H., & Badawy, T. (2016). Microscopic characterization of isooctane spray in the near field under flash boiling condition. Applied energy, 180, 598-606.

Ma, X., Li, Y., Qi, Y., Xu, H., Shuai, S., & Wang, J. (2016). Optical study of throttleless and EGR-controlled stoichiometric dual-fuel compression ignition combustion. Fuel, 182, 272-283.

Wang, Z., Li, Y., Wang, C., Xu, H., & Wyszynski, M. L. (2016). Near-nozzle microscopic characterization of diesel spray under cold start conditions with split injection strategy. Fuel, 181, 366-375.

Xu, H., & Wang, C. (2016). A Comprehensive Review of 2, 5‐Dimethylfuran as a Biofuel Candidate. Biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass: Innovations beyond bioethanol, 105-129.

Tayarani-N, M. H., Bennett, A. P., Xu, H., & Yao, X. (2016, July). Improving the performance of evolutionary engine calibration algorithms with principal component analysis. In 2016 IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation (CEC) (pp. 5128-5137). IEEE.

Hasan, A. O., Abu-Jrai, A., Ala’a, H., Tsolakis, A., & Xu, H. (2016). Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and other aldehyde emissions from HCCI/SI gasoline engine equipped with prototype catalyst. Fuel, 175, 249-256.

Wang, Z., Xu, H., Jiang, C., & Wyszynski, M. L. (2016). Experimental study on microscopic and macroscopic characteristics of diesel spray with split injection. Fuel, 174, 140-152.

Ding, H., Wang, Z., Li, Y., Xu, H., & Zuo, C. (2016). Initial dynamic development of fuel spray analyzed by ultra high speed imaging. Fuel, 169, 99-110.

Lattimore, T., Herreros, J. M., Xu, H., & Shuai, S. (2016). Investigation of compression ratio and fuel effect on combustion and PM emissions in a DISI engine. Fuel, 169, 68-78.

Wang, C., Wei, L., Cheng, Z., Xu, H., Daniel, R., & Shuai, S. (2016). Hydrocarbon and aldehyde emissions from combustion of 2-methylfuran. Combustion Science and Technology, 188(3), 329-345.

Wang, Z., Ding, H., Ma, X., Xu, H., & Wyszynski, M. L. (2016). Ultra-high speed imaging study of the diesel spray close to the injector tip at the initial opening stage with single injection. Applied energy, 165, 335-344.

Hasan, A. O., Abu-Jrai, A., Turner, D., Tsolakis, A., Xu, H. M., Golunski, S. E., & Herreros, J. M. (2016). Control of harmful hydrocarbon species in the exhaust of modern advanced GDI engines. Atmospheric Environment, 129, 210-217.