Professor Tao Wu is an active researcher on clean energy technologies at The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC). He has over 25 years of experience on the efficient conversion and utilization of fossil fuels and biomass. His research programmes cover a wide range from blue-sky research to proof of concept and patent development leading to commercialization. Professor Wu has completed over 40 research projects funded by both funding agencies and industry.

He has published over 80 journal papers related to energy conversion technologies and resource efficiency and holds 6 patents. His current interests focus on clean energy conversion technologies, energy saving, wastewater treatment, air pollution control, etc. He serves as committee member on a number of national and regional professional bodies and is currently leading the Municipal Key Laboratory on Clean Energy Conversion Technologies at the UNNC.

Previous appointments

• 08/2013 - 07/2015, Associate Professor and Reader, The University of Nottingham Ningbo China.
• 08/2007 - 07/2013, Lecturer, Associate Professor, The University of Nottingham Ningbo China.
• 11/2004 - 07/2007, Research Fellow, The University of Nottingham UK.
• 07/1996 - 09/2000, Lecturer, East China University of Science and Technology.

Honours and distinctions

• 2017: Science and Technology Promotion Award, conferred by Ningbo Municipal Government
• 2015: Excellent Patent Award, conferred by Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Intellectual Property
• 2014: Outstanding Advisor, conferred by Ningbo Municipal Association of Science and Technology
• 2010: Outstanding Overseas Returnee, conferred by Ningbo Municipal Government
• 2008: The ‘10th National Outstanding Patent Award’, winning patent: “Multi-burner gasifier for CWS or pulverised-coal gasification”, which has been commercialized with 60+ large-scale units in operation worldwide.
• 1999: the ‘3rd Prize for Science & Technology Progress’, conferred by the Ministry of Chemical Industry of China. Winning project: "Simulation & Training System for CWS Gasification Unit"
• 1998: the ‘1st Prize for Science & Technology Progress‘, conferred by Shanghai Municipality. Winning project: "Research & Development of a Novel CWS Gasification Burner"
• 1997: the ‘3rd Prize for Science & Technology Progress‘, conferred by SINOPEC, China. Winning project: "Simulation of the Heat-Transfer Process within Tubular Furnace"

Currently supervising 5 PhD students

Teaching/Taught following modules

• Separation Process 1 Level 2
• Multicomponent Separations Level 3
• Reactor Design Level 3
• Project Management Level 3
• Design Project Level 3