Specifically, her research focuses on: addressing the impact of combustion on turbulence closure; combustion-regime independence models; accurate modelling and mitigation of emissions and soot.

She has worked on alternative fuel simulations and experiments including hydrogen, ammonia targeting at efficient utilisation, and NOx mitigation, as well as the modelling of turbulence-chemistry-nanoparticle interactions to the synthesis of functional nanoparticles in reacting flows. 

Dr Tian has worked in her role as Lecturer in Sustainable Transport Technologies  at 含羞草视频 since November 2022 and is an honorary Lecturer at Imperial College London. 

The Hinshelwood Prize for Combustion

The Hinshelwood Prize for Combustion recognises meritorious work, in any branch of combustion, by a younger member of The British Section of The Combustion Institute. The aim of this annual prize is to encourage young people who work in any area or aspect of combustion and are within 10 years after the award of PhD. 

After receiving the prize, Dr Tian, said: “I feel honoured and humbled to receive the Hinshelwood Prize, which recognises my research work in the past few years. As the first Asian female and second Asian awardee, I am proud that our research community in combustion is continuing to grow strongly, united in our mission to tackle net-zero challenges.

“It is humbling to have my name alongside past winners who have gone on to make great contributions to combustion and the UK. The prize gives me extra motivation to lead innovative and ambitious research in reacting flows to fulfil missions of net-zero carbon emissions and renewable energy generations.”

Future research

Dr Tian is currently working with Caterpillar I&RC to research hydrogen combustion for NOx reduction, modelling soot and metal oxides for emission mitigation and material generation, as well as simulating metal fuel combustion.

She said: “In the short term, I aim to address fundamental technical challenges associated with alternative fuels, including hydrogen and ammonia, as well as solid fuels like iron. I will work to achieve efficient energy conversion with minimised environmental impact.”

In the longer term, Dr Tian aims to expand my research into interdisciplinary areas, bridging fluid dynamics with chemical engineering, material science, and medical science.

She explained: “Renewable fuel flames can be used as heat sources to produce functional materials on a scalable level, with potential applications beyond energy, such as in biomedical fields. Additionally, I aim to develop other gas-phase synthesis technologies, such as plasma synthesis, to enable high-quality, controlled production of valuable materials like graphene. 

“I aim to lead a revolution in renewable energy utilisation and the green manufacturing of high-value materials, contributing to the UK’s 2050 net-zero goal and building a resilient and prosperous society.

“I am deeply grateful to receive the guidance and support over the past few years. I would like to thank my PhD supervisor Prof. Peter Lindstedt for his guidance and unwavering support and my nominator Dr. Salvador Navarro-Martinez for his encouragement and help. I would like to express my appreciation to all my mentors, colleagues, and friends at Imperial College London and 含羞草视频, as well as my collaborators from academia and industry.”