Yu Wang

Yu Wang is a professor and doctoral supervisor, Principal Investigator of the Combustion and Laser Sensing Laboratory, and head of the Automotive Powertrain Division. He is also a researcher at Foshan Xianhu Laboratory and director of its R&D center for zero-carbon industrial-furnace combustion using ammonia and hydrogen.

His research addresses technologies for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, ammonia–hydrogen energy, combustion and fluid dynamics, soot and NOx formation, laser sensing and machine learning. He has led more than 20 projects, including National Natural Science Foundation of China projects, projects and subprojects of the National Key R&D Program, a Hubei Distinguished Young Scholars project, a university Young Top Talent project and industry collaborations. He has published more than 100 journal papers, cited more than 5,000 times.

• Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
• M.Sc., Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics, Department of Automotive Engineering, Tsinghua University
• B.Sc., Thermal Energy and Power Engineering, School of Automotive Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology

[1] Y. Wang*, S.H. Chung*. Soot formation in laminar counterflow flames. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science 2019; 74:152-238. link

[2] Q. Li, X. Zhao, L. Ma, Y. Wang*. NO Formation in counterflow diffusion flames of partially cracked ammonia: Effects of flame structure, cracking ratio and strain rate. Combustion and Flame 2026; 294: 115347. link

[3] Q. Li, B. Sun, X. Zhao, L. Ma, Y. Wang*. Formation of NO in counterflow diffusion flames of ammonia-methane: Spatially-resolved measurements and kinetic analysis. Combustion and Flame 2026; 288: 114970. link

[4] Q. Li, L. Ma, J. Zhou, J. Li, F. Yan, J. Du, Y. Wang*. A comprehensive parametric study on NO and N₂O formation in ammonia-methane cofired premixed flames: Spatially resolved measurements and kinetic analysis. Combustion and Flame 2025; 272: 113851. link

[5] Q. Li, L. Fu, Z. Zhang, L. Ma, H. Ning*, Y. Wang*, H. Y. Zhao. A theoretical study on the isomerization and decomposition reaction kinetics of small unsaturated methyl esters: Methyl acrylate, methyl butenoate and methyl crotonate radicals. Combustion and Flame 2024; 265: 113519. link

[6] M. Zhou, L. Xu, F. Yan, S.H. Chung, Y. Wang*. Effects of oxygen partial premixing on soot formation in ethylene counterflow flames with oscillating strain rates. Combustion and Flame 2022, 112442. link

[7] G. Li, M. Zhou, Y. Wang*. Sensitivity of soot formation to strain rate in steady counterflow flames determines its response under unsteady conditions. Combustion and Flame 2022; 241, 112107. link

[8] P. Jiang, M. Zhou, D. Wen, Y. Wang*. An experimental multiparameter investigation on the thermochemical structures of benchmark ethylene and propane counterflow diffusion flames and implications to their numerical modeling. Combustion and Flame 2021;234,111622. link

[9] L. Xu, F. Yan, W. Dai, M. Zhou, S.H. Chung, Y. Wang*. Synergistic effects on soot formation in counterflow diffusion flames of acetylene-based binary mixture fuels. Combustion and Flame 2020; 216, 24-28. link

[10] L. Xu, F. Yan, Y. Wang*. S.H. Chung. Chemical effects of hydrogen addition on soot formation in counterflow diffusion flames: Dependence on fuel type and oxidizer composition. Combustion and Flame 2020; 213, 14-25. link

[11] F. Yan, L. Xu, Y. Wang*, S. Park, S.M. Sarathy, S.H. Chung. On the opposing effects of methanol and ethanol addition on PAH and soot formation in ethylene counterflow diffusion flames. Combustion and Flame 2019; 202:228-42. link

[12] X. Kang, B. Sun, J. Wang, Y. Wang*. A numerical investigation on the thermo-chemical structures of methane-oxygen diffusion flame-streets in a microchannel. Combustion and Flame 2019; 206:266-81. link

[13] Y. Wang*, S. Park, S.M. Sarathy, S.H. Chung. A comparative study on the sooting tendencies of various 1-alkene fuels in counterflow diffusion flames. Combustion and Flame 2018; 192:71-85. link

[14] L. Xu, F. Yan, M. Zhou, Y. Wang*, S.H. Chung. Experimental and soot modeling studies of ethylene counterflow diffusion flames: Non-monotonic influence of the oxidizer composition on soot formation. Combustion and Flame 2018; 197:304-18. link

[15] S. Park, Y. Wang*, S.H. Chung, S.M. Sarathy. Compositional effects on PAH and soot formation in counterflow diffusion flames of gasoline surrogate fuels. Combustion and Flame 2017; 178:46-60. link

[16] Y. Wang*, S.H. Chung. Strain rate effect on sooting characteristics in laminar counterflow diffusion flames. Combustion and Flame 2016; 165:433-44. link

[17] Y. Wang, A. Raj, S.H. Chung*. Soot modeling of counterflow diffusion flames of ethylene-based binary mixture fuels. Combustion and Flame 2015; 162:586-96. link

[18] Y. Wang, S.H. Chung*. Effect of strain rate on sooting limits in counterflow diffusion flames of gaseous hydrocarbon fuels: Sooting temperature index and sooting sensitivity index. Combustion and Flame 2014; 161, 1224-34. link

[19] Y. Wang, A. Raj, S.H. Chung*. A PAH growth mechanism and synergistic effect on PAH formation in counterflow diffusion flames. Combustion and Flame 2013; 160, 1667-1676. link

[20] Z. Shen, Z. Weng, Y. Wang*. Numerical analysis of autothermal microchannel reactors for ammonia decomposition: Roles of material and channel architecture. Chemical Engineering Journal 2026; 534: 175245. link

[21] Q. Li, J. Li, B. Sun, L. Ma*, Y. Wang*. A comparative study on the effects of temperature on NO formation in ammonia/methane flames. Chemical Engineering Journal 2025; 520: 166282. link

[22] H. Zhang, B. Cui, J. Du*, Z. Yu, X. Liang, Y. Cheng, Y. Wang*. Combining staged combustion and oxygen enrichment for stable and low-NO_x porous media combustion of ammonia. Fuel 2026; 410: 137894. link

[23] B. Sun, C. Yu, Z. Yu, T. Wan, L. Ma, Y. Wang*. Efficient characterization of the two-dimensional and buoyancy effects in counterflow diffusion flames. Fuel 2026; 405: 136495. link

[24] L. Xu, Q. Wang, Y. Wang*, D. Liu*. Fuel decomposition and aromatic species formation in counterflow flames of selected cycloalkanes: Effects of ring size and methyl substitution. Fuel 2026; 404: 136223. link

[25] P. Jiang, L. Xu*, Q. Wang, Z. Wang, S. H. Chung, Y. Wang*. Experimental and kinetic study on aromatic formation in counterflow diffusion flames of methane and methane/ethylene mixtures. Fuel 2023; 354: 129304. link

[26] J. Zhang, F. Yan, Y. Wang*. Sensitivity of soot formation to strain rates in counterflow diffusion flames of various C3-C5 alkanes and alcohols. Fuel 2023; 333, 126321. link

[27] L. Xu, Y. Wang*, D. Liu*. Effects of oxygenated biofuel additives on soot formation: A comprehensive review of laboratory-scale studies. Fuel 2022; 313,122635. link

[28] M. Zhou, F. Yan, L. Ma*, P. Jiang, Y. Wang*, S.H. Chung. Chemical speciation and soot measurements in laminar counterflow diffusion flames of ethylene and ammonia mixtures. Fuel 2022; 308, 122003. link

[29] M. Zhou, F. Yan, X. Zhong, L. Xu, Y. Wang*. Sooting characteristics of partially-premixed flames of ethanol and ethylene mixtures: Unravelling the opposing effects of ethanol addition on soot formation in non-premixed and premixed flames. Fuel 2021; 291, 120089. link

[30] W. Dai, F. Yan, L. Xu*, M. Zhou, Y. Wang*. Effects of carbon monoxide addition on the sooting characteristics of ethylene and propane counterflow diffusion flames. Fuel 2020; 271, 117674. link

[31] W. Wang, L. Xu, J. Yan, Y. Wang*. Temperature dependence of the fuel mixing effect on soot precursor formation in ethylene-based diffusion flames. Fuel 2020; 267, 117121. link

[32] Q. Li, B. Tian, L. Xu*, Y. Wang*. Effects of ammonia addition on the soot nanostructure and oxidation reactivity in n-heptane/toluene diffusion flames. Fuel Processing Technology 2024; 257: 108090. link

[33] J. Zhang, F. Yan, P. Jiang, M. Zhou, Y. Wang*. Chemical and sooting structures of counterflow diffusion flames of butanol isomers: An experimental and modelling study. Combustion Science and Technology 2022. link

[34] Y. Deng, P. Zou, X. Kang*, Y. Wang*. Experimental investigations on non-premixed methane-air flames in radial microchannels with a controlled temperature profile. Combustion Science and Technology 2021. link

[35] Y. Wang*, S.H. Chung. Formation of soot in counterflow diffusion flames with carbon dioxide dilution. Combustion Science and Technology 2016; 188:805-17. link

[36] L. Xu, F. Yan, M. Zhou, Y. Wang*. An experimental and modeling study on sooting characteristics of laminar counterflow diffusion flames with partial premixing. Energy 2021; 218, 119479. link

[37] B. Sun, X. Kang*, Y. Wang*. Numerical investigations on the methane-oxygen diffusion flame-street phenomena in a microchannel: Effects of wall temperatures, inflow rates and global equivalence ratios on flame behaviors and combustion performances. Energy 2020; 207, 118194. link

[38] Q. Wang, L. Xu*, Y. Wang*. Effects of H₂ addition on soot formation in counterflow diffusion flames of propane: A comparative analysis with He and N₂ addition. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 2023; 48(98): 38878–38889. link

[39] B. Sun, Q. Li, Y. Wang*. Staged ammonia-air combustion in a heat-recirculating Swiss-roll burner. Applied Thermal Engineering 2026; 303: 132174. link

[40] Z. Shen, L. Jing, Y. Wang*. Phase change materials-based thermal buffers can be counterproductive in reducing temperature fluctuations. International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer 2025; 160: 108300. link

[41] L. Xu, M. Zhou, Y. Wang *, D. Liu*. Probing sooting limits in counterflow diffusion flames via multiple optical diagnostic techniques. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science 2022, 136, 110679. link

[42] F. Yan, M. Zhou, L. Xu, Y. Wang*, S.H. Chung. An experimental study on the spectral dependence of light extinction in sooting ethylene counterflow diffusion flames. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science 2019; 100:259-70. link

[43] B. Sun, X. Kang*, Y. Wang*. Combustion characteristics of ammonia–air in a heat-recirculating Swiss-roll burner. Physics of Fluids 2024; 36(11): 117163. link

[44] J. Zhang, M. Zhou, F. Yan, C. Yu, Y. Wang*. Effects of inlet flow non-uniformities on thermochemical structures and quasi-one-dimensional simulation of sooting counterflow diffusion flames. Physics of Fluids 2023; accepted

[45] J. Zhou, J. Du, M. Zhou, Y. Wang*. On the intricacies of soot volume fraction measurements in counterflow diffusion flames with light extinction: Effects of curtain flow. Journal of Aerosol Science 2024; 178: 106348. link

[46] L. Ma, W. Du, D. Wen, Y. Wang*. Infrared multi-spectral soot emission for robust and high-fidelity flame thermometry. Optics Letters 2023; 48, 980-983. link

[47] B. Cui, L. Ma*, B. Sun, Q. Li, Y. Wang*. Mid-infrared absorption spectroscopy for in-situ and spatially resolved measurements of nitric oxide in premixed ammonia-methane co-fired flames. Optics Express 2025; 33(2): 3262–3280. link

[48] L. Ma, C. Zhou, Z. Wang, W. Ren, Y. Wang*. Calibration-free heterodyne phase-sensitive dispersion spectroscopy: Quantitative gas sensing and recovery of absorption spectra. Optics Express 2024; 32(21): 37492–37515. link

[49] J. Zhou, M. Zhou, L. Ma, Y. Wang*. Slight asymmetry induces significant distortion in soot volume fraction measurements in counterflow diffusion flames with diffuse back-illumination imaging. Optics Express 2022; 30, 6671-6689. link

[50] D. Wen, Y. Wang*. Spatially and temporally resolved temperature measurements in counterflow flames using a single interband cascade laser. Optics Express 2020; 28, 37879-37902. link

[51] Q. Li, L. Ma*, J. Li, Y. Wang*. Quantitative measurements of NO oxidation rate using wavelength modulation spectroscopy and implications to NO sampling in ammonia flames. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical 2026; 448: 138972. link

[52] W. Hu, L. Ma*, J. Zhou, Y. Wang*. Single filtered photodetector-based H₂O emission thermometry for ammonia flames: a cost-effective optical sensing approach. Measurement Science and Technology 2025; 36(8): 085201. link

[53] L. Ma*, W. Wang, C. Zhou, Y. Wang*. A laser absorption sensor for fuel slip monitoring in high-humidity flue gases from ammonia combustion. Measurement Science and Technology 2023; 34(9): 094005. link

[54] G. Sheng, L. Ma*, D. Wen, Y. Wang*. Simultaneous measurements of temperature, CO2 concentration and soot volume fraction in counterflow diffusion flames using a single mid-infrared laser. Applied Physics B 2022,128,62. link

[55] D. Wen, L. Ma*, Y. Wang*. Effects of thermochemical non-uniformity on line-of-sight laser absorption thermometry in counterflow diffusion flames. Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer 2022; 277, 107990. link

[56] L. Ma, W. Hu, W. Wang, Y. Wang*. Transfer-learning-based multi-wavelength laser sensor for high fidelity and real-time monitoring of ambient temperature and humidity. Applied Optics 2023; 62(22): 5932–5945. link

[57] W. Du, D. Wen, L. Ma, Y. Wang*. Development and validation of a hybrid constraint spectral thermometry for laminar sooting flames. Applied Optics 2022, 61, 8341-8353. link

[58] L. Xu, F. Yan, Y. Wang*. A comparative study of the sooting tendencies of various C5–C8 alkanes, alkenes and cycloalkanes in counterflow diffusion flames. Applications in Energy and Combustion Science 2020; 1–4,100007. link

[59] X. Hu, Z. Shen*, Y. Wang*. On the design of a hydrogen micro-rectangular combustor for portable thermoelectric generators. Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification 2024; 195: 109611. link

[60] X. Zhao, J. Li, L. Ma, Q. Li*, Y. Wang*. Effects of Water Vapor Addition on NO Formation in Nonpremixed and Premixed Flames of NH₃ and CH₄. Energy & Fuels 2026; 40(27): 14903–14917. link

[61] Y. Yan, L. Ma*, Q. Li, Y. Wang*. Simultaneous Measurement of NO and NH₃ in Ultrahigh Humidity Flue Gases from Ammonia Combustion Using Mid-Infrared Laser-Absorption Spectroscopy. Energy & Fuels 2025; 39(30): 14921–14934. link

[62] H. Zhang, J. Zhou, J. Du*, Z. Yu, X. Liang, Y. B. Cheng, Y. Wang*. Ammonia-methane flames stabilized in an ordered porous media burner. Energy & Fuels 2025; 39(13): 6654–6670. link

[63] X. Zhu, J. Du*, Z. Yu, Y. B. Cheng, Y. Wang*. NO_x Emission and Control in Ammonia Combustion: State-of-the-Art Review and Future Perspectives. Energy & Fuels 2024; 38(1): 43–60. link

[64] J. Zhang, L. Xu*, F. Yan, M. Zhou, Y. Wang*. Effects of Ammonia Addition on the Sooting Characteristics of Ethylene Counterflow Diffusion Flames with Oscillating Strain Rates. Energy & Fuels 2023; 37(24): 19950–19958. link

[65] N.M. Mahmoud, F. Yan, M. Zhou, L. Xu, Y. Wang*. Coupled effects of carbon dioxide and water vapor addition on soot formation in ethylene diffusion flames. Energy & Fuels 2019;33:5582-96.link

[66] L. Xu, F. Yan, Y. Wang*. Effects of Hydrogen Addition on the Standoff Distance of Premixed Burner-Stabilized Flames of Various Hydrocarbon Fuels. Energy & Fuels 2018; 32:2385-96. link

[67] F. Yan, L. Xu, Y. Wang*. Application of hydrogen enriched natural gas in spark ignition IC engines: from fundamental fuel properties to engine performances and emissions. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2018; 82:1457-88. link

[68] X. Kang*, Y. Wang*. Transient process of methane-oxygen diffusion flame-street establishment in a microchannel. Frontiers in Energy 2021. link

[69] J. Zhou, M. Zhou, L. Ma*, Y. Wang*. Planar light extinction measurement of soot volume fraction in laminar counterflow diffusion flames. Frontiers in Mechanical Engineering 2021; 7: 720917. link

[70] J. Zhou, L. Xu*, J. Du, L. Ma, Y. Wang*. Infrared imaging for two-dimensional soot and temperature measurements in laminar premixed and non-premixed flames. Journal of the Energy Institute 2025; 120: 102111. link

[71] N.M. Mahmoud, F. Yan, Y. Wang*. Effects of fuel inlet boundary condition on aromatic species formation in coflow diffusion flames. Journal of the Energy Institute 2019; 92:288-97. link

• Program Committee Member, Annual Combustion Conference of the Chinese Society of Engineering Thermophysics
• Member, Youth Working Committee of the Ninth Council of the Chinese Society for Internal Combustion Engines
• Session Chair, 38th International Symposium on Combustion
• Reviewer for journals including Combustion and Flame, Fuel and Energy

First Prize, Wuhan University of Technology Science and Technology Award (Natural Sciences)

• First Prize, China Machinery Industry Science and Technology Award (Technological Invention)
• First Prize, Beijing Science and Technology Award
• Nominee, Tsinghua University Academic Rising Star Award
• Academic Rising Star Award, Department of Automotive Engineering, Tsinghua University