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.

Ph.D. in Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics, Tsinghua University, Sep 2003 – Jul 2009

M.S. in Vehicle Engineering (Dual Degree), Tsinghua University / RWTH Aachen University (Germany), Sep 2003 – Oct 2005

B.E. in Vehicle Engineering, Tsinghua University, Sep 1999 – Jun 2003

• Director, Institute of Vehicle Power and Smart Energy, School of Vehicle and Mobility, Tsinghua University | Jan 2024 – Present

• Director, Tsinghua-Yuchai Joint Research Center for Smart Green Hydrogen and Power | Jul 2023 – Present

• Tenured Associate Professor, School of Vehicle and Mobility, Tsinghua University | Jul 2023 – Present

• Senior Research Fellow, Beijing Huairou Laboratory | Jul 2022 – Present

• Tenure-Track Associate Professor, Department of Automotive Engineering, Tsinghua University | Oct 2017 – Jun 2023

• Alexander von Humboldt Senior Visiting Scholar, Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ), Germany | Nov 2015 – Aug 2017

• Visiting Scholar, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore | Jul 2010 – Dec 2010

• Assistant Research Fellow / Associate Research Fellow, Department of Automotive Engineering, Tsinghua University | Jul 2009 – Sep 2017

• MATLAB Modeling & Simulation (Tsinghua University Undergraduate Honor Course)

• Automotive Electronics & Control (Undergraduate Core Course)

• Electrochemical Power Sources (Graduate Course)

• Automotive Power Fundamentals (Undergraduate Core Course)

My research centers on the AI-assisted design and control of hydrogen fuel cells and electrolyzers. Representative projects include:

[1]. Tsinghua-Jiangyin Innovation Special Project: Research and Demonstration of 100 kW High-Temperature Co-Electrolysis for Syngas Production, Jan 2026 – Dec 2026, Principal Investigator

[2]. Toyota Motor Corporation, Collaborative Industry Project: Feasibility Study on Hydrogen-Electric Energy Pack for Heavy-Duty Trucks and Infrastructure, Nov 2025 – Nov 2026, Principal Investigator

[3]. Toyota Motor Corporation, Collaborative Industry Project: Research on Regulation Evaluation, Operating Conditions Analysis, and Lifetime Prediction for Fuel Cells in Commercial Vehicles, Mar 2024 – Mar 2026, Principal Investigator

[4]. Ministry of Science and Technology of China, National Key R&D Program: Design and Integration of a Megawatt-Scale Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Combined Heat and Power System, Dec 2023 – Nov 2026, Principal Investigator

[5]. Shanghai Shenli Technology Co., Ltd., Collaborative Industry Project: Study on Degradation Mechanisms, Modeling, and Optimization Methods of Automotive Fuel Cell Stacks under High Potential and Variable Humidity Conditions, Nov 2023 – Aug 2024, Principal Investigator

[6]. Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Co., Ltd., Collaborative Industry Project: Research on High-Efficiency, Long-Life Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Systems and Stacks for Commercial Vehicles, Aug 2023 – Sep 2026, Principal Investigator

[7]. National Natural Science Foundation of China, Young Scientists Fund (Category B) [formerly Excellent Young Scientists Fund], Grant No. 52022050: Automotive Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Powertrain Systems, Jan 2021 – Dec 2023, Principal Investigator

[1]. Yu BY, Jia XY, Han TY, Li JQ, Xu LF, Fang C, et al. Modeling and degradation-aware energy management strategy for fuel cell vehicle considering cathode catalyst layer status. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES. 2026;668.

[2]. Shao YB, Xu LF, Xu L, Zhang XY, Liu FQ, Fang C, et al. Temperature dependent water transport within proton exchange membrane fuel cells during fast startup. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES. 2026;666.

[3]. Wang YM, Xue ZX, Li Y, Feng JY, Yao YC, Xu LF, et al. A synergistic dual cation-doping strategy toward high-performance and durable perovskite air electrode for reversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cells. APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY. 2026;386.

[4]. Shao YB, Xu LF, Xu L, Zhang XY, Wang ZN, Zhao XW, et al. Adjusted anode catalyst layer ionomer-carbon ratio for improved proton exchange membrane fuel cells performance under high-temperature and low-humidity conditions. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES. 2025;649.

[5]. Zhang XY, Xu LF, Yu BY, Yao Y, Hu ZY, Li JQ, et al. Expandable model and size effect of proton exchange membrane fuel cells with elevating temperature and reducing humidity. ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT. 2025;333.

[6]. Liu HY, Si DC, Han TY, Xu LF, Hu ZY, Li JQ, et al. Expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene reinforced proton exchange membranes characterization and thickness effects on the performance of membrane electrode assemblies. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES. 2025;657.

[7]. Yao YC, Feng JY, Xu LF, Li Y, Zhang WF, Wang FH, et al. In Situ Construction of a High-Entropy Perovskite Based Tri-Phase Composite Electrode toward Efficient Reversible Solid Oxide Cells. ADVANCED MATERIALS. 2025;37(45).

[8]. Jia XY, Wang ZN, Xu LF, Hu ZY, Li JQ, Ouyang MG. Real-Time Observation of Membrane Electrode Water Content and Diagnosis. JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY. 2025;172(9).

[9]. Han TY, Xu LF, Zhang XY, Zhao Y, Su JL, Hu ZY, et al. Study on the Influence of Anode Ammonia Impurities on Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Performance. JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY. 2025;172(3).

[10]. Liu HY, Xu LF, Yu BY, Jiang LX, Hu ZY, Fang C, et al. A Synthesis Strategy of Prussian Blue Incorporated PEMs with High Durability and Performance. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES. 2025;17(48):65826-34.

[11]. Wang ZN, Liu FQ, Si DC, Li JQ, Xu LF. Unveiling Nonlinear Platinum Oxidation Dynamics in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Catalyst Layers: New Phenomena and Sensitivity Insights. JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY. 2025;172(10).

Research Awards

[1] Apr. 2023, Development of High-Reliability and High-Efficiency Fuel Cell Systems for Ultra-Low Temperature Applications in Winter Olympics. Second Prize, Hebei Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award (Rank: 4th out of 10 contributors).

[2] Sep. 2021, Outstanding Young Scientist Award, China Automotive Industry.

[3] Sep. 2021, Key Technologies and Industrialization of High-Performance Fuel Cell Systems for Commercial Vehicles. First Prize, Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Progress Award (Rank: 2nd out of 15 contributors).

[4] Oct. 2019, Key Technologies and Application of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses. First Prize, Science and Technology Progress Award of China Automotive Industry (Industry Award) (Rank: 3rd out of 15 contributors).

[5] Jan. 5, 2019, China Industry-University-Research Collaboration Innovation Award (Individual Award).

[6] Jul. 2015 – Aug. 2017, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowship (Senior Visiting Scholar), Germany.

[7] 2013, First Prize (in Sustainable Transportation), The 5th ProSPER.NET-Scopus Young Scientist Award.

Conference Report/Paper Awards

[1] July 2025, Tianyi Han, Liangfei Xu, Zunyan Hu, Jianqiu Li, Minggao Ouyang, “Enhancing oxygen transport in proton exchange membrane fuel cells through a cost-effective high oxygen permeability ionomer additive,” Best Presentation Award, World Fuel Cell Conference 2025, Hong Kong.

[2] July 2025, Xiyuan Zhang, Liangfei Xu, Boyang Yu, Zunyan Hu, Jianqiu Li, Minggao Ouyang, “Non-uniform degradation mechanisms of proton exchange membrane fuel cells under dynamic load conditions of high temperature and low humidity,” Best Presentation Award, World Fuel Cell Conference 2025, Hong Kong.

[3] July 2025, Jiangyuan Feng, Yucun Zhou, Jun Zhang, Liangfei Xu, Minggao Ouyang, “Proton and oxygen vacancy mobility in BaCeO3: insights from machine learning-driven molecular dynamics,” Best Presentation Award, World Fuel Cell Conference 2025, Hong Kong.

[4] May 2025, “Exploring Core Fuel Cell Technology: the Co-Evolution of Theory and Simulation,” Research Innovation Award, MATLAB EXPO China User Conference, Beijing, China.

[5] 2024, Tianyi Han, Liangfei Xu, Zunyan Hu, Jianqiu Li, Minggao Ouyang, “Model-based observation of catalyst degradation in proton exchange membrane fuel cells,” Outstanding Poster Presentation Award, World Fuel Cell Conference.

[6] August 2023, Yangbin Shao, Liangfei Xu et al., “Research and application of nonlinear dynamics in fuel cell in-plane states,” Best Presentation Award, NESET 2023.

[7] September 2021, Yangbin Shao, Liangfei Xu et al., “Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell transient voltage characteristic considering liquid water imbibition and drainage in gas diffusion layer,” NSK Mechanical Engineering Excellent Thesis Award (Sino-Japanese Friendship), School of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University.

[8] August 2021, Yangbin Shao, Liangfei Xu et al., “Pseudo-steady state of high-frequency resistance for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell: effect of in-plane heterogeneity,” 2nd Place Prize, Three-Minute Thesis Competition, 2021 World Fuel Cell Conference, Canada.

[9] September 2019, Jianhui Zhang, Sebastian Bastek, Liangfei Xu, Jianqiu Li, Zunyan Hu, Yongzhan Wang, Minggao Ouyang, “Modeling of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell system with anodic and cathodic internal recirculation,” Best Paper Runner-Up Award, CVCI 2019, Hefei, China.

[10] May 2018, Hongliang Jiang, Liangfei Xu, Jianqiu Li, Minggao Ouyang, “Energy management strategy for extended-range fuel cell buses based on two-dimensional dynamic programming and two-dimensional minimum principle,” Outstanding Paper Award, 2nd China New Energy Vehicle Charging and Drive Conference, Shenzhen.

Journal Reviewing Awards

[1] Nov. 2023, Outstanding Editor Award, eTransportation.

[2] 2018, Outstanding Reviewer Award, Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments.

[3] 2018, Outstanding Reviewer Award, Electrochimica Acta.

[4] 2017, Outstanding Reviewer Award, Applied Energy.

[5] 2016, Outstanding Reviewer Award, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy.

[6] 2015, Outstanding Contribution Award (2014-2015, Distinguished Reviewer), Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy.

Teaching & Mentoring Awards

[1] Jul. 2025, “Academic Leadership, Interdisciplinary Integration, and Student-Centered Approach: Restructuring the New Energy Vehicle Powertrain Curriculum and Talent Cultivation,” Teaching Achievement Award, Tsinghua University (Rank: 8/19).

[2] Nov. 2024, Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Supervisor Award (for the thesis “In-plane State Dynamics Mechanism and Optimization of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells”), China Society of Automotive Engineers.

[3] Dec. 2022, Beijing Outstanding Graduate Student Supervisor Team Award (Rank: 5).

[4] Jun. 2021, Outstanding Master’s Thesis Supervisor Award (for the thesis “Fuel Cell Impedance Identification Based on Distribution of Relaxation Times and Its Application”), Tsinghua University.

[5] Jun. 2021, Advanced Sta ff Award, Tsinghua University.

[6] Sep. 2020, Excellence in Online Teaching Award, Tsinghua University.

[7] Sep. 2020, Annual Teaching Excellence Award (Academic Year 2019), Tsinghua University.

[8] Dec. 2018, Second Prize, 8th Tsinghua University Young Faculty Teaching Competition (Engineering Group).

[9] May 2018, “Online Sampling and Testing System for Multi-Channel Gas Composition in Fuel Cells,” Third Prize, 15th Tsinghua University Experimental Technology Achievement Award (Rank: 1/8).

[10] May 2018, “Multi-Functional Fuel Cell Stack Testing Platform,” Second Prize, 15th Tsinghua University Experimental Technology Achievement Award (Rank: 2/8).

[11] 2015, Outstanding Class Advisor Award, Tsinghua University.

• Committee Member, Technical Committee, International Conference on Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Vehicles | Oct 2024 – Present

• Senior Member, China Power Supply Society (Membership No.: E620101232S) | Sep 2024 – Present

• Group Leader & Senior Member, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Technology Roadmap Task Force, China Society of Automotive Engineers | Aug 2023 – Present

• Senior Member, Chinese Electrotechnical Society | Nov 2019 – Present

• Committee Member, Technical Committee on Transportation Electrification, China Power Supply Society | Nov 2019 – Present

• Committee Member, Technical Committee on Vehicle Control and Intelligence, Chinese Association of Automation | Sep 2019 – Present

• Founding Editorial Board Member, eTransportation (International Journal) | Oct 2018 – Present

• Associate Editor, International Journal of Powertrains | Feb 2018 – Present

• Committee Member, IFAC Technical Committee 7.1 (Automotive Control) | Nov 2014 – Present