Yazhou Zhao | Energy-Efficient Architecture | Young Scientist Award

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Assist. Prof. Dr. Yazhou Zhao | Energy-Efficient Architecture | Young Scientist Award

Experimental Scientist at  Zhejiang University, China

Dr. Yazhou Zhao is an Assistant Research Professor at the College of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, and Senior Experimental Scientist at the Key Laboratory of Refrigeration & Cryogenic Technology of Zhejiang Province. A core member of the AI-for-Energy Research Group, he leads projects at the intersection of renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and thermodynamic systems. He has developed the GKS physics simulator for generative-AI-assisted teaching and has contributed to numerous national and international energy projects, including collaborations with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and government–industry programs in geothermal and heat pump technologies. With over 30 peer-reviewed journal publications, multiple patents, and recognition such as the Qianjiang Energy Science & Technology Award, his work focuses on intelligent control of energy systems, geothermal technologies, and digital-twin-based optimization. Dr. Zhao’s contributions align with global low-carbon and net-zero energy goals, positioning him as a leader in energy-efficient architecture and sustainable technologies.

Professional Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Yazhou Zhao has pursued a multidisciplinary academic path across engineering and computational sciences. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, specializing in Geological Engineering under the supervision of Academician Wang Jiyang and Professor Pang Zhonghe. His doctoral research focused on medium-depth ground-source heat pump systems and coupled thermal-reservoir simulations. Earlier, he completed his Master’s degree in Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics at the Institute of Applied Physics and Computational Mathematics, Beijing, conducting advanced research on aero-engine turbomachinery aerodynamics and Lagrangian mesh-free methods. His undergraduate studies were at Wuhan University of Science & Technology. where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Built Environment & Equipment Engineering. This broad academic foundation across thermodynamics, numerical methods, and renewable energy systems underpins his innovative research in energy engineering and artificial intelligence for sustainable technologies.

Experience

Dr. Yazhou Zhao currently serves as an Experimental Scientist at Zhejiang University, where he advances research in intelligent energy systems and AI-driven simulations. Previously, he was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Zhejiang University, focusing on machine learning applications for building energy systems and multi-physics numerical simulations. His professional journey includes leadership as Principal Investigator on several major renewable energy projects funded by national and provincial programs, including geothermal system optimization and solar-assisted heating technologies. He has collaborated on international projects with partners in Finland and the Netherlands, addressing global challenges in carbon reduction and sustainable architecture. Beyond academia, he has contributed to government consulting projects on geothermal industry strategy and industrial energy-efficiency solutions. With his extensive project management, innovation in AI-assisted digital twins, and applied energy engineering expertise, Dr. Zhao has consistently translated theoretical advancements into practical applications across multiple sectors.

Research Focus

Dr. Yazhou Zhao’s  research bridges thermodynamics, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy engineering. His primary focus is on the intelligent control of building energy systems, with an emphasis on time-varying and nonlinear HVAC systems. He has pioneered AI-driven approaches for fault detection, health monitoring, and decision-making in energy-efficient architecture. A major part of his work involves geothermal and ground-source heat pump technologies, where he has developed novel simulation models and strategies to optimize performance under diverse climatic conditions, particularly in hot-summer/cold-winter zones. His research also advances large-scale computational fluid dynamics (CFD), leveraging machine learning to improve turbulence modeling and thermodynamic simulations across multi-phase and multi-scale systems. Furthermore, Dr. Zhao has contributed to digital twin platforms, integrating physical models, AI, and experimental data for smart operation of complex energy infrastructures. His research is strategically aligned with global carbon neutrality initiatives, offering innovative pathways to sustainable energy transformation.

Awards and Honors 

Dr. Yazhou Zhao ’s contributions have been recognized with multiple awards across academic, research, and coaching achievements. He received the Second Prize of the Qianjiang Energy Science & Technology Award for his groundbreaking project on IoT-based control of smart ground-source heat pump systems. During his early academic career, he won top prizes in national mathematics and modeling competitions, including First Prize in the National Undergraduate Mathematics Competition and honors at the COMAP Mathematical Contest in Modeling. Beyond his research, he has served as a coach, guiding teams to success in global competitions such as the S. T. Yau Science and Physics Awards and the HiMCM contest, securing multiple first prizes. His awards reflect both technical excellence and mentorship, underscoring his leadership in advancing the next generation of researchers while driving forward the field of renewable energy and energy-efficient systems.

Publication Top Notes

Title: An efficient hybrid model for thermal analysis of deep borehole heat exchangers
Authors: Zhao Y., Pang Z., Huang Y., Ma Z. 
Summary: Proposes a hybrid model integrating analytical and numerical methods to improve efficiency in modeling deep borehole exchangers.

Title: A fast simulation approach to the thermal recovery characteristics of deep borehole heat exchanger after heat extraction
Authors: Zhao Y., Ma Z., Pang Z. 
Summary: Introduces a rapid simulation method to evaluate thermal recovery of boreholes, enhancing geothermal system design.

Title: Heat transfer modeling on high-temperature charging and discharging of deep borehole heat exchanger with transient strong heat flux
Authors: Zhao Y., Qin X., Shi X. 
Summary: Develops transient models for high-intensity borehole heat storage, addressing system performance at elevated conditions.

Title: Performance evaluation of solar and condensing heat recovery systems for air reheating and humidification in industrial buildings
Authors: Wu F., Huang X., Zhang L., Gao J., Sun Y., Zhao Y., Zhang X. 
Summary: Evaluates hybrid solar and condensing heat recovery systems, showing improved efficiency in industrial HVAC applications.

Title: Study on the thermal imbalance characteristics and optimal operation strategy of ground source heat pump system in hot summer and cold winter areas
Authors: Zhao Y., Gao J., Wu F., Sun Y., Liu A., Yu Z., Zhang X. 
Summary: Investigates thermal imbalance issues in ground-source systems, offering optimized operation strategies for challenging climates.

Conclusion

Dr. Yazhou Zhao demonstrates a strong blend of academic rigor, technological innovation, and leadership in renewable energy and intelligent building systems. His consistent research contributions, particularly in geothermal energy and advanced heat pump systems, are aligned with pressing global challenges such as carbon neutrality and energy efficiency. With further emphasis on international collaboration and broader dissemination of his work, he stands out as a highly suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Yao Lu | Energy-Efficient Architecture | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yao Lu | Energy-Efficient Architecture | Best Researcher Award

Associate Reseacher at Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, China

Dr. Yao Lu is an accomplished researcher specializing in smart batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and flexible sensors. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Science and Technology Beijing, where he trained in advanced materials and physics at the Beijing Key Laboratory for Magneto-Photoelectrical Composite and Interface Science. He later joined Tsinghua University as a research fellow at the State Key Laboratory of Automotive Safety and Energy, where he advanced research on energy storage and battery safety. Currently, Dr. Lu serves as an Associate Researcher at the Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences. His research emphasizes developing safe, long-life, and energy-efficient battery systems by integrating flexible sensor technologies. With over 25 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals, he has made impactful contributions to both academic science and practical energy applications. Dr. Lu is recognized as a promising researcher shaping the future of sustainable energy storage.

Professional Profile

ORCID

Education

Dr. Yao Lu completed his doctoral studies at the University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), where he conducted research at the Beijing Key Laboratory for Magneto-Photoelectrical Composite and Interface Science. His Ph.D. work focused on advanced physics, nanomaterials, and energy systems, laying the foundation for his later work in smart batteries and flexible sensors. At USTB, he gained expertise in electrochemical energy storage mechanisms and safety analysis of high-performance batteries. Following his doctoral training, Dr. Lu pursued additional research opportunities at Tsinghua University, one of China’s most prestigious institutions, where he worked on automotive safety and energy technologies. These academic experiences provided him with a strong interdisciplinary background combining physics, materials science, electrochemistry, and engineering. This broad training equipped him to tackle the pressing challenges in next-generation energy storage technologies, particularly in developing safe, intelligent, and energy-efficient battery systems suitable for electric vehicles and renewable energy applications.

Research Focus 

Dr. Yao Lu’s research focuses on the intersection of energy storage technology, sensor integration, and sustainability. His primary work explores smart lithium-ion batteries enhanced with flexible and implantable sensors that improve safety, performance, and life cycle management. He investigates critical challenges in battery technology, including thermal runaway mechanisms, lithium dendrite suppression, and rapid charging solutions. By combining materials engineering, electrochemical analysis, and sensor fusion techniques, his work aims to create next-generation batteries that are both safe and efficient. Additionally, Dr. Lu contributes to research on zinc-ion batteries and sodium-ion batteries, offering sustainable alternatives to traditional lithium-ion systems. His studies also incorporate AI-enabled battery management systems, providing intelligent monitoring and predictive maintenance capabilities for electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage. Overall, his research represents a forward-looking approach to clean energy innovation, addressing global needs for safer, more reliable, and environmentally responsible power storage solutions.

Publication Top Notes

Title: Zinc-ion batteries: pioneering the future of sustainable energy storage through advanced materials and mechanisms
Authors: Zixuan Chen, Liang Zhang, Tianyu Yu, Huancheng Yang, Yao Lu, Xiaodan Wang, Rui Li, Zonglun Ye, Yue Wang, Pengwei Li et al.
Summary: This article explores zinc-ion batteries as sustainable alternatives to lithium-ion systems. It provides mechanistic insights and highlights material strategies for performance enhancement, opening pathways for environmentally friendly storage solutions.

Title: Manipulation of lithium dendrites based on electric field relaxation enabling safe and long-life lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Xuebing Han, Shuoyuan Mao, Yu Wang, Yao Lu, Depeng Wang, Yukun Sun, Yuejiu Zheng, Xuning Feng, Languang Lu, Jianfeng Hua et al.
Summary: This study addresses lithium dendrite formation, a critical safety issue. The team demonstrated how electric field relaxation strategies can suppress dendrites, prolonging battery life and improving reliability.

Title: AI enabled fast charging of lithium-ion batteries of electric vehicles during their life cycle: review, challenges and perspectives
Authors: Daoming Sun, Dongxu Guo, Yufang Lu, Jiali Chen, Yao Lu, Xuebing Han, Xuning Feng, Languang Lu, Hewu Wang, Minggao Ouyang
Summary: A comprehensive review highlighting AI-driven methods for safe fast charging. The paper identifies challenges and future directions for integrating AI with EV battery management.

Title: Early warning for thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries during various charging rates: Insights from expansion force analysis
Authors: Kuijie Li, Chen Li, Xuebing Han, Xin Gao, Yao Lu, Depeng Wang, Weixiong Wu, Yuan-cheng Cao, et al.
Summary: This work introduces expansion force analysis as a diagnostic method for predicting thermal runaway, contributing to improved safety monitoring in Li-ion batteries.

Title: In situ evaluation and manipulation of lithium plating morphology enabling safe and long-life lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Shuoyuan Mao, Yu Wang, Yao Lu, Xuebing Han, Yuejiu Zheng, Xuning Feng, Xinqi Ren, Languang Lu, Minggao Ouyang
Summary: The study reports advanced in situ techniques to monitor and control lithium plating, enhancing battery safety and durability.

Title: Smart batteries enabled by implanted flexible sensors
Authors: Yao Lu, Xiaodan Wang, Shuoyuan Mao, Depeng Wang, Daoming Sun, Yukun Sun, Anyu Su, Chenzi Zhao, Xuebing Han, Kuijie Li et al.
Summary: This article highlights how flexible sensors implanted within batteries can revolutionize energy storage by enabling real-time state monitoring and improved safety performance.

Conclusion

Dr. Yao Lu is an outstanding candidate for a Best Researcher Award. His innovative work on smart, safe, and sustainable battery technologies positions him at the forefront of energy materials research. With strong publication achievements, impactful collaborations, and recognition through competitive grants, he demonstrates the qualities of a researcher whose contributions will continue to shape the future of energy storage and flexible sensing technologies.