The research focuses on the mechanisms, design, diagnosis, and control of high-efficiency, long-life hydrogen fuel cell powertrain systems, including:

(1) Dynamic mechanisms of fuel cell stacks, flow channel design, intelligent sensing, and in-situ diagnosis;

(2) Performance degradation mechanisms, diagnosis, and data-driven health management;

(3) System optimization and matching, water-thermal management, and coordinated control;

(4) Vehicle-level "cold-hot-hydrogen-electric" energy management and "human-vehicle-stack" hierarchical cooperative control.

As the principal investigator or key contributor, he has participated in over 30 research projects, undertaking multiple national and provincial/ministerial-level projects/topics. He has achieved significant results in proton exchange membrane fuel cell energy management, water-thermal management, and health management. He has published 72 SCI-indexed papers (28 as first/corresponding author), including 5 ESI highly cited papers. His publications have been cited 2,985 times in total, with 1,159 non-self SCI citations. His H-index is 25 (Google Scholar) and 23 (Web of Science Core Collection). He holds 51 authorized Chinese invention patents, 1 authorized U.S. invention patent, and 21 software copyrights. He contributed as the fifth author to the textbook Automotive Powertrain Testing and co-authored one English monograph.

He has frequently served as a session chair at international conferences and delivered invited keynote speeches. He has received four conference paper awards and four significant provincial/ministerial or international academic awards, including: First Prize of China Automotive Industry Science and Technology Progress Award (2019, ranked third), China Industry-University-Research Collaboration Innovation Award (2018), Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Research Fellowship (2015–2017), and the 5th ProSPER.NET-Scopus Young Scientist Award (2013).

He serves as Associate Editor of the International Journal of Powertrains, Editorial Board Member of eTransportation, and Special Editorial Board Member for Fuel Cell Engine Systems of the Chinese journal Transactions of CSICE. He is also a member of the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC) Technical Committee on Automotive Control (TC 7.1), a member of the Vehicle Control and Intelligentization Committee of the Chinese Association of Automation, a member of the Transportation Electrification Committee of the China Power Supply Society, a Senior Member and Youth Working Committee Member of the Chinese Society of Electrical Engineering, and Director of the Office of the Tsinghua-Toyota Joint Research Center for Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cell Vehicle Technology.

Journal Articles

[1]Jiang H, Xu L, Struchtrup H, Li J, Hu Z, Ouyang M. Modeling of Fuel Cell Cold Start and Dimension Reduction Simplification Method. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 2020, 167, 044501.

[2]Shao Y, Xu L, Zhao X, Li J, Hu Z, Fang C, Hu J, Guo D, Ouyang M. Comparison of self-humidification effect on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell with anodic and cathodic exhaust gas recirculation. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 2020;45(4):3108-3122.

[3]Jiang H, Xu L, Li J, Hu Z, Ouyang M. Energy management and component sizing for a fuel cell / battery / supercapacitor hybrid powertrain based on two-dimensional optimization algorithms. Energy 2019;177;386-396.

[4]Hu Z, Xu L, Li J, Gan Q, Xu X, Song Z, Shao Y, Ouyang M. A novel diagnostic methodology for fuel cell stack health: performance, consistency and uniformity. Energy Conversion and Management 2019;185:611-621.

[5]Shao Y, Xu L, Li J, Hu Z, Fang C, Hu J, Guo D, Ouyang M. Hysteresis of output voltage and liquid water transport in gas diffusion layer of polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Energy Conversion and Management 2019;185:169-182.

[6]Hu Z, Xu L, Song Z, Li J, Ouyang M. A semiempirical dynamic model of reversible open circuit voltage drop in a PEM fuel cell. International Journal of Energy Research 2019;43(7):2550-2561.

[7]Sun W, Xu L, Hu Z, Jiang H, Li J, Ouyang M. Impedance characteristics of cell-to-cell inconsistency of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. J Automotive Safety and Energy, 2019, 10(4):483-491.

[8]Zhang Y, Zhang C, Huang Z, Xu L, Liu Z, Liu M. Real-time energy management strategy for fuel cell range extender vehicle based on nonlinear control. IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification 2019;5(4):1294-1305.

[9]Hu Z, Xu L, Li J, Xu X, Song Z, Ouyang M, Du X. The uniformity and consistency analysis of a fuel cell stack with multipoint voltage-monitoring method. Energy Procedia, 2019, 158: 2118-2125.

[10]Shao Y, Xu L, Li J, Ouyang M. Numerical modeling and performance prediction of water transport for PEM fuel cell. Energy Procedia, 2019, 158: 2256-2265.

[11]方川, 黄海燕, 徐梁飞, 李建秋, 洪坡, 江宏亮, 赵兴旺, 胡尊严. 一种多功能燃料电池堆实验台的研发. 汽车工程, 2019,04,361-365+387.

[12]Jiang S, Wang C, Zhang C, Bai H, Xu L. Adaptive estimation of road slope and vehicle mass of fuel cell vehicle. eTransportation 2019, (2): 100023, 1-9.

[13]Li Z, Zheng Z, Xu L, Lu X. A review of the applications of fuel cells in microgrids: opportunities and challenges. BMC Energy 2019, 1-8.

[14]Hu Z, Xu L, Li J, Gan Q, Xu X, Ouyang M, Song Z, Kim J. A multpoint voltage-monitoring method for fuel cell inconsistency analysis. Energy conversion and Management 2018;177:572-581.

[15]Xu L, Fang C, Li J, Ouyang M, Lehnert W. Nonlinear dynamic mechanism modeling of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell with dead-ended anode considering mass transport and actuator properties. Applied Energy 2018;230:106-121.

[16]Hu Z, Xu L, Li J, Hu J, Xu X, Du X, Sun W, Ouyang M. A cell interaction phenomenon in a multi-cell stack under one cell suffering fuel starvation. Energy Conversion and Management 2018;174:465-474.

[17]Zhao X, Xu L, Fang C, Jiang H, Li J, Ouyang M. Study on voltage clamping and self-humidification effects of PEM fuel cell system with dual recirculation based on orthogonal test method. Int J Hydrogen Energ 2018;43(33):16268-16278.

[18]Xu L, Hong P, Fang C, Hu J, Cheng S, Li J, Ouyang M, Lehnert W. Interactions between a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell and boost converter utilizing a multiscale model. J Power Sources 2018;395:237-50.

[19]Xu L, Fang C, Hu J, Cheng S, Li J, Ouyang M, Lehnert W. Self-humidification of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell system with cathodic exhaust gas recirculation. ASME Journal of Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage 2018;15:021003-1-18.

[20]Xu L, Reimer U, Li J, Huang H, Hu Z, Jiang H, Janssen H, Ouyang M, Lehnert W. Design of durability test protocol for vehicular fuel cell system operated in power follow mode based on statistic results of on-road data. J Power Sources 2018;377:59-69.

[21]Hu Z, Xu L, Huang Y, Li J, Ouyang M, Du X, Jiang H. Comprehensive analysis of galvanostatic charge method for fuel cell degradation diagnosis. Applied Energy 2018;212:1321-32.

[22]Zhang Q, Xu L, Li J, Ouyang M. Performance prediction of proton exchange membrane fuel cell engine thermal management system using 1D and 3D integrating numerical simulation. Int J Hydrogen Energ 2018;43(3):1736-48.

[23]Hu Z, Xu L, Li J, Ouyang M, Song Z, Huang H. A reconstructed fuel cell life-prediction model for a fuel cell hybrid city bus. Energ Convers Manage 2018;156:723-32.

[24]方川, 徐梁飞, 黄海燕, 李建秋, 洪坡, 江宏亮, 赵兴旺, 胡尊严. 大活性面积燃料电池多通道气体在线采样系统. 实验技术与管理 2018;35(12):112-117.

[25]张钦国, 徐梁飞, 李建秋, 马会明. 燃料电池发动机冷启动进气预热系统性能研究. 机械设计与制造 2018;z1:1-5.

[26]Xu L, Li J, Reimer U, Huang H, Hu Z, Jiang H, Janssen H, Ouyang M, Lehnert W. Methodology of designing durability test protocol for vehicular fuel cell system operated in soft run mode based on statistic results of on-road data. Int J Hydrogen Energy 2017;42:29840-51.

[27]Hong P, Xu L, Li J, Ouyang M. Modeling of membrane electrode assembly of PEM fuel cell to analyze voltage losses inside. Energy 2017;(139):277-88.

[28]Zhang Q, Xu L, Li J, Ouyang M. Performance prediction of plate-fin radiator for low temperature preheating system of proton exchange membrane fuel cells using CFD simulation. Int J Hydrogen Energ 2017;42(38):24504-16.

[29]Hong P, Xu L, Jiang H, Li J, Ouyang M. A new approach to online AC impedance measurement at high frequency of PEM fuel cell stack. Int J Hydrogen Energ 2017; 42(30):19156-69.

[30]Pan H, Xu L, Cheng S, Sun W, Li J, Ouyang M. Control-oriented modeling of gas purging process on the cathode of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell during shutting down. Int J Hydrogen Energ 2017;42(29):18584-94.

[31]Hong P, Xu L, Li J, Ouyang M. Modeling and analysis of internal water transfer behavior of PEM fuel cell of large surface area. Int J Hydrogen Energ 2017;42(29):18540-50.

[32]Zhao X, Xu L, Li J, Fang C, Ouyang M. Faults diagnosis for PEM fuel cell system based on multi-sensor signals and principle component analysis method. Int J Hydrogen Energ 2017;42(29):18524-31.

[33]Zhang W, Xu L, Li J, Ouyang M, Liu Y, Han Q, Li Y. Comparison of daily operation strategies for a fuel cell/battery tram. Int J Hydrogen Energ 2017;42(29):18532-9.

[34]Jiang H, Xu L, Fang C, Zhao X, Hu Z, Li J, Ouyang M. Experimental study on dual recirculation of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. Int J Hydrogen Energ 2017;42(29):18551-9.

[35]Fang C, Xu L, Cheng S, Li J, Jiang H, Ouyang M. Sliding-mode-based temperature regulation of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell test bench. Int J Hydrogen Energ 2017; 42(16):11745-57.

[36]Cheng S, Xu L, Wu K, Fang C, Hu J, Li J, Ouyang M. Optimal warm-up control strategy of the PEMFC system on a city bus aimed at improving efficiency. Int J Hydrogen Energ 2017; 42(16):11632-43.

[37]Xu L, Hu J, Cheng S, Fang C, Li J, Ouyang M, Lehnert W. Robust control of internal states in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell air-feed system by considering actuator properties. Int J Hydrogen Energ 2017;42(18):13171-91.

[38]Xu L, Hu J, Cheng S, Fang C, Li J, Ouyang M, Lehnert W. Nonlinear observation of internal states of fuel cell cathode utilizing a high-order sliding-mode algorithm. J Power Sources 2017;356:56-71.

[39]Xu L, Fang C, Hu J, Cheng S, Li J, Ouyang M, Lehnert W. Parameter extraction of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell based on quasi-dynamic model and periphery signal. Energy 2017;122:675-90.

[40]Xu L, Fang C, Hu J, Cheng S, Li J, Ouyang M, Lehnert W. Parameter extraction and uncertainty analysis of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell system based on Monte Carlo simulation. Int J Hydrogen Energ 2017;42(4):2309-26.

[41]Hong P, Jiang H, Li J, Xu L, Ouyang M. Modeling and Experiment Validation of the DC/DC Converter for Online AC Impedance Identification of the Lithium-Ion Battery. SAE International Journal of Alternative Powertrains 2017;6(2):233-245.

[42]Zhang W, Li J, Xu L, Ouyang M. Optimization for a fuel cell / battery/ capacity tram with equivalent consumption minimization strategy. Energ Convers Manage 2017,134:59-69.

Papers in Proceedings

[1]Jiang H, Xu L, Li J, Hu Z, Ouyang M. Design and control of Thermal Management System for Fuel Cell vehicle in Low-temperature Environment. SAE 2020-01-0851. WCX SAE World Congress Experience.

[2]Zhang J, Bastek S, Xu L, Li J, Hu Z, Wang Y, Ouyang M. Modelling a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell system with anodic and cathodic exhaust gas recirculation. 2019 3rd Conference on Vehicle Control and Intelligence (CVCI), 1-6

[3]Wang Q, Xu L, Salvati A, Li J, Shao Y, Hu Z, Ouyang M, Rizzo G. Study on Sensitivity of Internal States to Operating Conditions within PEM Fuel Cell. 2019 3rd Conference on Vehicle Control and Intelligence (CVCI), 1-4.

[4]Li H, Li J, Hu J, Cai B, Xu L, Ouyang M. Hardware-in-the-loop Simulation of Electronic Differential Moment Power Steering Control Strategy for Multi-axle Vehicle. 2019 3rd Conference on Vehicle Control and Intelligence (CVCI), 1-4.

[5]Hu Z, Xu L, Huang H, Li J, Song Z, Ouyang M. An Economy Evaluation Method for Fuel Cell Hybrid Powertrain System[C]//2019 IEEE Transportation Electrification Conference and Expo (ITEC). IEEE, 2019.

[6]Hu J, Li J, Hu Z, Xu L, Ouyang M, Song Z. Energy Management of a Dual-Engine System for Hybrid Heavy-Duty Vehicles[C]//2019 IEEE Transportation Electrification Conference and Expo (ITEC). IEEE, 2019.

[7]Du L, Xu L, Yang F. A study on optimal speed trajectory during engine start for minimal torsional vibration. 2019 IEEE 15th International Conference on Control and Automation (ICCA), Edinburgh, Scotland, July 16-19, 2019.

[8]Du L, Xu L, Hu Y, Ouyang M, Yang F. Optimal speed profile for minimum vibration during engine start using pontryagins minimum principle approach. SAE Technical Paper 2019-01-5026.

[9]Du L, Yang F, Hu Y, Xu L. Active damping control of torsional vibration in a diesel hybrid powertrain. SAE Technical paper 2019-01-2342.

[10]Weihua SUN, Liangfei Xu, Jianqiu Li, Minggao Ouyang. Parameter identification of PEM fuel cell impedance model using nonlinear algorithms. 中国新能源车充电与驱动大会, 2018.5, 深圳.

[11]Yangbin Shao, Liangfei Xu, Jianqiu Li, Minggao Ouyang. Prediction of water and current density distribution within a PEM fuel cell.