Hao Wu

Postdoctoral Fellows

Postdoctoral Fellow

Current

Location:

Building 5, level 4 Seaside, #4216-WS10.

Social Profile:

Biography

I graduated from Beijing Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in Energy and Power Engineering in 2017. In the same year, he was admitted to Beijing Institute of Technology to pursue a doctorate degree without examination. In 2022, I got my Ph.D. in Power Machinery and Engineering. From November 2022, I worked at the Clean Energy Research Platform (CERP) of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology as a postdoctoral fellow and carried out research work under the guidance of Professor William L. Roberts. My main research directions are experimental research and theoretical analysis on spray atomization and multi-phase flow, advanced spray injection and combustion diagnostic technology, and efficient utilization of low-carbon and zero-carbon fuels. More than 30 academic papers have been published. In 2022, I received the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award from the Beijing Institute of Technology and was recognized as an Outstanding Graduate of Beijing. In 2023, I was awarded the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation of Beijing.

Research Interests

My primary research focus will be the development and application of carbon-neutral fuels. Specifically, I will study the spray and combustion characteristics of promising e-fuels derived from renewable sources such as hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol. This work will be supported by the facilities and expertise of the Clean Energy Research Platform (CERP) and Aramco’s FUELCOM project. In addition, I will investigate the fundamental physics of atomization and multiphase flow in both gaseous and clean liquid fuels. These studies will be carried out using the advanced experimental capabilities of the CCRC Spray Lab.

Selected Publications

1. Wu H, Almatrafi F, Houidi M B, et al. A Review on Liquid-Ammonia Injection and Combustion for Engine Applications. Engineering, 2025.
2. Wu H, Silva M, Houidi M B, et al. Experimental characterization of a high-flow hydrogen injector with four-hole jet-forming cap. Fuel, 2026, 405: 136619.
3. Wu H, Ben Houidi M, Almatrafi F, et al. Hydrogen jet characteristics with an outwardly opening piezo injector. Physics of Fluids, 2025, 37(3): 036103.
4. Wu H, Du J, Houidi M B, et al. Spray and combustion characterization under an ultra-high-density condition–Multi-fuel comparison. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 2024, 40(1-4): 105555.
5. Wu H, Zhang Z, Zhang F, et al. Experimental estimation of turbulence modulation in droplet-laden two-phase jet. Physical Review Fluids, 2023, 8(9): 094301.
6. Wu H, Zhang Z, Zhang F, et al. Time-resolved low-pressure air-assisted spray performance and unsteadiness evaluation. Physics of Fluids, 2023, 35(4): 043335.
7. Wu H, Zhang F, Zhang Z, et al. On the evolution of n-octane atomization characteristics using an air-assisted intermittent spray method. Fuel Processing Technology, 2022, 231: 107231.
8. Wu H, Zhang F, Zhang Z, et al. Atomization and droplet dynamics of a gas-liquid two-phase jet under different mass loading ratios. International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 2022, 151: 104043.
9. Wu H, Zhang F, Zhang Z. Fundamental spray characteristics of air-assisted injection system using aviation kerosene. Fuel, 2021, 286: 119420.
10. Wu H, Zhang F, Zhang Z. Droplet breakup and coalescence of an internal-mixing twin-fluid spray. Physics of Fluids, 2021, 33(1): 013317.

Education

2017.09–2022.06, Ph.D., School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology.
2013.09–2017.06, B.Eng., School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology.

Awards

1. Outstanding Doctoral Graduate of Beijing Institute of Technology, 2022
2. Beijing Institute of Technology Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award, 2022
3. Outstanding Graduate of Beijing, 2022
4. Beijing Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award, 2023

KAUST Affiliations

Clean Energy Research Platform (CERP)

Research Interests Keywords

Engineering Energy Hydrogen Sprays Combustion