Dr Xuekun Lu
Senior Lecturer in Green Energy
Deputy Chair of Undergraduate Subject Exam Board
School of Engineering and Materials Science
Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University of London
Research
lithium-ion batteries, Operando imaging (X-ray CT, Optical, SEM, TEM), 3D microstructure-resolved electrochemical modellilng
Interests
My research group focuses on (1) revealing the interplay between 3D microstructure and the performance/failure mechanisms of the electrochemical energy devices (e.g., lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells etc) across multiple spatial and temporal domains using correlative operando characterisation techniques (X-ray CT, ptychography, XRD-CT, FIB-SEM, optical microscopy, TEM, etc); (2) multiscale multiphysics modelling (continuum and 3D microstructure-resolved) of the mass transport and electrochemical performance at the electrode, device and system level; (3) developing scalable and sustainable engineering solutions to fabricate advanced electrodes with tunable microstructure to unlock the full potential of the energy, power density and cycle life of next-generation lithium-ion batteries.I have been delivering world-leading research in Hydrogen Energy and Energy Storage: signified by 57 total publications (h-index 27, citation 2713), 14 first-authored papers including two papers in Nature Communications (IF:17.7), three papers in Energy & Environ. Sci. (IF:32.5) and one paper in Joule (IF: 46.04). Particularly, one of my papers in (2020) Nature Communications (doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-15811-x) is featured ESI Highly Cited Paper (citation > 400), selected as Editor's Highlights, and became 2020 Top 50 Chemistry and Materials Sciences Articles; my another paper (2023) Nature Communications (2023), doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-40574-6) hits The Top 25 Chemistry and Materials Sciences Articles of 2023. My research outputs were frequently featured on the Research Highlights of the Faraday Institution and have given 10 invited talks at renowned institutions and conferences worldwide; I am also an invited Reviewer of the EPSRC Open Postdoctoral Fellowship, and of more than 20 top-ranking scientific journals such as Nature Communications and Advanced Energy Materials. My research output has been translated into the R&D of lithium-ion batteries by industry.
Publications
Publications of specific relevance to the Centre for Sustainable Engineering2024
Laser scribed proton exchange membranes for enhanced fuel cell performance and stabilityChen J, Lu X, Wang L, Du W, Guo H, Rimmer M, Zhai H, Liu Y, Shearing PR, Haigh SJ, Holmes SM and Miller TS
Nature Communications, Springer Nature vol. 15 (1)
30-12-2024
A nature-inspired solution for water management in flow fields for electrochemical devicesTrogadas P, Cho JIS, Rasha L, Lu X, Kardjilov N, Markötter H, Manke I, Shearing PR, Brett DJL and Coppens M-O
Energy & Environmental Science, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 17 (5), 2007-2017.
01-01-2024
2023
Multiscale dynamics of charging and plating in graphite electrodes coupling operando microscopy and phase-field modellingLu X, Lagnoni M, Bertei A, Das S, Owen RE, Li Q, O’Regan K, Wade A, Finegan DP, Kendrick E, Bazant MZ, Brett DJL and Shearing PR
Nature Communications, Nature Research vol. 14 (1)
01-08-2023
A review of imidazolium ionic liquid-based phase change materials for low and medium temperatures thermal energy storage and their applicationsLi Q, Wang S, Zhou M, Lu X, Qiao G, Li C and Wu Y
Green Energy and Resources, Elsevier vol. 1 (2)
01-06-2023
A novel one-step ultraviolet curing fabrication of myristic acid-resin shape-stabilized composite phase change material for low temperature thermal energy storageLi C, Li Q, Ge R and Lu X
Chemical Engineering Journal, Elsevier vol. 458
01-02-2023
Rectifying interphases for preventing Li dendrite propagation in solid-state electrolytesYao X, Lu X, Zhou Y, Šamořil T, Bi J, Masteghin MG, Zhang H, Askew L, Kim J, Xiong F, Wang J, Cox DC, Sui T, Gilmore I, Silva SRP, Mai L, Hinds G, Shearing PR, Park J and Zhao Y
Energy & Environmental Science, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 16 (5), 2167-2176.
01-01-2023
2022
Insights into in-situ catalytic degradation of plastic wastes over zeolite-based catalyst from perspective of three-dimensional pore structure evolutionXu D, Lu X, Zhang Y, Shearing PR, Zhang S, Brett DJL and Wang S
Chemical Engineering Journal, Elsevier vol. 450
15-12-2022
Inorganic salt based shape-stabilized composite phase change materials for medium and high temperature thermal energy storage: Ingredients selection, fabrication, microstructural characteristics and development, and applicationsLi C, Li Q, Lu X, Ge R, Du Y and Xiong Y
Journal of Energy Storage, Elsevier vol. 55
01-11-2022
Stable Sodium‐Metal Batteries in Carbonate Electrolytes Achieved by Bifunctional, Sustainable Separators with Tailored AlignmentWang J, Xu Z, Zhang Q, Song X, Lu X, Zhang Z, Onyianta AJ, Wang M, Titirici M and Eichhorn SJ
Advanced Materials, Wiley vol. 34 (49)
26-10-2022
Early Prediction of the Health Conditions for Battery Cathodes Assisted by the Fusion of Feature Signal Analysis and Deep-Learning TechniquesWang W, Zhang L, Yu H, Yang X, Zhang T, Chen S, Liang F, Wang H, Lu X, Yang S and Liu X
Batteries, Mdpi vol. 8 (10)
01-10-2022
Computer-Vision-Based Approach to Classify and Quantify Flaws in Li-Ion ElectrodesDaemi SR, Tan C, Tranter TG, Heenan TMM, Wade A, Salinas-Farran L, Llewellyn AV, Lu X, Matruglio A, Brett DJL, Jervis R and Shearing PR
Small Methods, Wiley vol. 6 (10)
01-10-2022
Exploring the influence of porosity and thickness on lithium-ion battery electrodes using an image-based modelBoyce AM, Lu X, Brett DJL and Shearing PR
Journal of Power Sources, Elsevier vol. 542
15-09-2022
Precisely visit the performance modulation of functionalized separator in Li-S batteries via consecutive multiscale analysisHao Z, Chen J, Lu X, Kang L, Tan C, Xu R, Yuan L, Brett DJL, Shearing PR, Wang FR and Huang Y
Energy Storage Materials, Elsevier vol. 49, 85-92.
01-08-2022
Assessing potential profiles in water electrolysers to minimise titanium useBecker H, Dickinson EJF, Lu X, Bexell U, Proch S, Moffatt C, Stenström M, Smith G and Hinds G
Energy & Environmental Science, Royal Society of Chemistry vol. 15 (6), 2508-2518.
10-05-2022
Applications of advanced metrology for understanding the effects of drying temperature in the lithium-ion battery electrode manufacturing processZhang YS, Bailey JJ, Sun Y, Boyce AM, Dawson W, Reynolds CD, Zhang Z, Lu X, Grant P, Kendrick E, Shearing PR and Brett DJL
Journal of Materials Chemistry a: Materials For Energy and Sustainability, Royal Society of Chemistry
01-01-2022
2021
Multi-length scale microstructural design of lithium-ion battery electrodes for improved discharge rate performanceLu X, Zhang X, Tan C, Heenan TMM, Lagnoni M, O'Regan K, Daemi S, Bertei A, Jones HG, Hinds G, Park J, Kendrick E, Brett DJL and Shearing PR
Energy & Environmental Science, Royal Society of Chemistry vol. 14 (11), 5929-5946.
01-11-2021
Facile Fabrication of Robust Hydrogen Evolution Electrodes under High Current Densities via Pt@Cu InteractionsTan Y, Xie R, Zhao S, Lu X, Liu L, Zhao F, Li C, Jiang H, Chai G, Brett DJL, Shearing PR, He G and Parkin IP
Advanced Functional Materials, Wiley vol. 31 (45)
01-11-2021
Porous 3D graphene aerogel co-doped with nitrogen and sulfur for high-performance supercapacitorsChen Y, Hao H, Lu X, Li W, He G, Shen W, Shearing PR and Brett DJL
Nanotechnology, Iop Publishing vol. 32 (19)
07-05-2021
Guiding the Design of Heterogeneous Electrode Microstructures for Li-Ion Batteries: Microscopic Imaging, Predictive Modeling, and Machine LearningXu H, Zhu J, Finegan DP, Zhao H, Lu X, Li W, Hoffman N, Bertei A, Shearing P and Bazant MZ
Advanced Energy Materials, Wiley vol. 11 (19)
01-05-2021
Self-activated cathode substrates in rechargeable zinc–air batteriesGuo J, Kang L, Lu X, Zhao S, Li J, Shearing PR, Wang R, Brett DJL, He G, Chai G and Parkin IP
Energy Storage Materials, Elsevier vol. 35, 530-537.
01-03-2021
Multi-length scale characterization of compression on metal foam flow-field based fuel cells using X-ray computed tomography and neutron radiographyWu Y, Lu X, Cho JIS, Rasha L, Whiteley M, Neville TP, Ziesche R, Kardjilov N, Markötter H, Manke I, Zhang X, Shearing PR and Brett DJL
Energy Conversion and Management, Elsevier vol. 230
15-02-2021
2020
Microstructural Evolution of Battery Electrodes During CalenderingLu X, Daemi SR, Bertei A, Kok MDR, O'Regan KB, Rasha L, Park J, Hinds G, Kendrick E, Brett DJL and Shearing PR
Joule, Elsevier vol. 4 (12), 2746-2768.
16-12-2020
Tracking the evolution of a single composite particle during redox cycling for application in HNeagu D, Papaioannou EI, Tjaden B, Lu X, Mak CM, Gaultois MW, Ray B, Shearing P and Metcalfe IS
Scientific Reports, Nature Research vol. 10 (1)
01-12-2020
In situ visualization by X-Ray computed tomography on sulfur stabilization and lithium polysulfides immobilization in S@HCS/MnOXu R, Xiang J, Feng J, Lu X, Hao Z, Kang L, Li M, Wu Y, Tan C, Liu Y, He G, Brett DJL, Shearing PR, Yuan L, Huang Y and Wang FR
Energy Storage Materials, Elsevier vol. 31, 164-171.
01-10-2020
Spatial dynamics of lithiation and lithium plating during high-rate operation of graphite electrodesFinegan DP, Quinn A, Wragg DS, Colclasure AM, Lu X, Tan C, Heenan TMM, Jervis R, Brett DJL, Das S, Gao T, Cogswell DA, Bazant MZ, Di Michiel M, Checchia S, Shearing PR and Smith K
Energy & Environmental Science, Royal Society of Chemistry vol. 13 (8), 2570-2584.
01-08-2020
High-performance fuel cell designed for coking-resistance and efficient conversion of waste methane to electrical energyLi T, Lu X, Rabuni MF, Wang B, Farandos NM, Kelsall GH, Brett DJL, Shearing PR, Ouyang M, Brandon NP and Li K
Energy & Environmental Science, Royal Society of Chemistry vol. 13 (6), 1879-1887.
01-06-2020
3D microstructure design of lithium-ion battery electrodes assisted by X-ray nano-computed tomography and modellingLu X, Bertei A, Finegan DP, Tan C, Daemi SR, Weaving JS, O’Regan KB, Heenan TMM, Hinds G, Kendrick E, Brett DJL and Shearing PR
Nature Communications, Nature Research vol. 11 (1)
29-04-2020
Fine structural changes of fluid catalytic catalysts and characterization of coke formed resulting from heavy oil devolatilizationZhang YS, Lu X, Owen RE, Manos G, Xu R, Wang FR, Maskell WC, Shearing PR and Brett DJL
Applied Catalysis B Environment and Energy, Elsevier vol. 263
01-04-2020
Multi-Scale Investigations of δ-NiLi J, McColl K, Lu X, Sathasivam S, Dong H, Kang L, Li Z, Zhao S, Kafizas AG, Wang R, Brett DJL, Shearing PR, Corà F, He G, Carmalt CJ and Parkin IP
Advanced Energy Materials, Wiley vol. 10 (15)
27-02-2020
2019
The Imaging Resolution and Knudsen Effect on the Mass Transport of Shale Gas Assisted by Multi-length Scale X-Ray Computed TomographyIacoviello F, Lu X, Mitchell TM, Brett DJL and Shearing PR
Scientific Reports, Nature Research vol. 9 (1)
19-12-2019
Representative resolution analysis for X-ray CT: A Solid oxide fuel cell case studyHeenan TMM, Tan C, Jervis R, Lu X, Brett DJL and Shearing PR
Chemical Engineering Science X, Elsevier vol. 4
01-11-2019
Multi-length scale microstructural design of micro-tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells for optimised power density and mechanical robustnessLu X, Bertei A, Heenan TMM, Wu Y, Brett DJ and Shearing PR
Journal of Power Sources, Elsevier vol. 434
01-09-2019
Correlative study of microstructure and performance for porous transport layers in polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysers by X-ray computed tomography and electrochemical characterizationMajasan JO, Iacoviello F, Cho JIS, Maier M, Lu X, Neville TP, Dedigama I, Shearing PR and Brett DJL
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Elsevier vol. 44 (36), 19519-19532.
01-07-2019
Anisotropic crack propagation and deformation in dentin observed by four-dimensional X-ray nano-computed tomographyLu X, Fernández MP, Bradley RS, Rawson SD, O'Brien M, Hornberger B, Leibowitz M, Tozzi G and Withers PJ
Acta Biomaterialia, Elsevier vol. 96, 400-411.
26-06-2019
Design of next-generation ceramic fuel cells and real-time characterization with synchrotron X-ray diffraction computed tomographyLi T, Heenan TMM, Rabuni MF, Wang B, Farandos NM, Kelsall GH, Matras D, Tan C, Lu X, Jacques SDM, Brett DJL, Shearing PR, Di Michiel M, Beale AM, Vamvakeros A and Li K
Nature Communications, Nature Research vol. 10 (1)
02-04-2019
Effect of compression on the water management of polymer electrolyte fuel cells: An in-operando neutron radiography studyWu Y, Cho JIS, Lu X, Rasha L, Neville TP, Millichamp J, Ziesche R, Kardjilov N, Markötter H, Shearing P and Brett DJL
Journal of Power Sources, Elsevier vol. 412, 597-605.
01-02-2019
4D visualisation of in situ nano-compression of Li-ion cathode materials to mimic early stage calenderingDaemi SR, Lu X, Sykes D, Behnsen J, Tan C, Palacios-Padros A, Cookson J, Petrucco E, Withers PJ, Brett DJL and Shearing PR
Materials Horizons, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 6 (3), 612-617.
01-01-2019
2018
4D nano-tomography of electrochemical energy devices using lab-based X-ray imagingHeenan TMM, Finegan DP, Tjaden B, Lu X, Iacoviello F, Millichamp J, Brett DJL and Shearing PR
Nano Energy, Elsevier vol. 47, 556-565.
01-05-2018
Effect of hydration and crack orientation on crack-tip strain, crack opening displacement and crack-tip shielding in elephant dentinLu X, Rawson SD and Withers PJ
Dental Materials, Elsevier vol. 34 (7), 1041-1053.
22-04-2018
Thermally Driven SOFC Degradation in 4D: Part II. MacroscaleHeenan TMM, Lu X, Robinson JB, Iacoviello F, Brett DJL and Shearing PR
Journal of The Electrochemical Society, The Electrochemical Society vol. 165 (11), f932-f941.
01-01-2018
Thermally Driven SOFC Degradation in 4D: Part I. MicroscaleHeenan TMM, Lu X, Iacoviello F, Robinson JB, Brett DJL and Shearing PR
Journal of The Electrochemical Society, The Electrochemical Society vol. 165 (11), f921-f931.
01-01-2018
Evaluating microstructure evolution in an SOFC electrode using digital volume correlationHeenan TMM, Lu X, Finegan DP, Robinson J, Iacoviello F, Bailey JJ, Brett DJL and Shearing PR
Sustainable Energy & Fuels, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 2 (12), 2625-2635.
01-01-2018
The application of hierarchical structures in energy devices: new insights into the design of solid oxide fuel cells with enhanced mass transportLu X, Li T, Bertei A, Cho JIS, Heenan TMM, Rabuni MF, Li K, Brett DJL and Shearing PR
Energy & Environmental Science, Royal Society of Chemistry (Rsc) vol. 11 (9), 2390-2403.
01-01-2018
Understanding the thermo-mechanical behaviour of solid oxide fuel cell anodes using synchrotron X-ray diffractionHeenan TMM, Robinson JB, Lu X, Tjaden B, Cervellino A, Bailey JJ, Brett DJL and Shearing PR
Solid State Ionics, Elsevier vol. 314, 156-164.
01-01-2018
2017
Multi-length scale tomography for the determination and optimization of the effective microstructural properties in novel hierarchical solid oxide fuel cell anodesLu X, Taiwo OO, Bertei A, Li T, Li K, Brett DJL and Shearing PR
Journal of Power Sources, Elsevier vol. 367, 177-186.
01-11-2017
Correlation between triple phase boundary and the microstructure of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell anodes: The role of composition, porosity and Ni densificationLu X, Heenan TMM, Bailey JJ, Li T, Li K, Brett DJL and Shearing PR
Journal of Power Sources, Elsevier vol. 365, 210-219.
01-10-2017
Study of the tortuosity factors at multi-scale for a novel-structured SOFC anodeLu X, Li T, Taiwo OO, Bailey J, Heenan T, Li K, Brett DJL and Shearing PR
Journal of Physics Conference Series. vol. 849 (1)
01-06-2017
Analyzing the Mechanical Performance of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells at Interfacial Anode/Electrolyte Regions Using Sub-Micron Resolution 3D X-Ray Computed TomographyHeenan TMM, Robinson JB, Lu X, Bailey JJ, Brett DJL and Shearing PR
ECS Transactions. vol. 78 (1), 2317-2321.
30-05-2017
Laser‐preparation of geometrically optimised samples for X‐ray nano‐CTBAILEY JJ, HEENAN TMM, FINEGAN DP, LU X, DAEMI SR, IACOVIELLO F, BACKEBERG NR, TAIWO OO, BRETT DJL, ATKINSON A and SHEARING PR
Journal of Microscopy, Wiley vol. 267 (3), 384-396.
15-05-2017
X-ray tomography-assisted study of a phase inversion process in ceramic hollow fiber systems – Towards practical structural designLi T, Lu X, Wang B, Wu Z, Li K, Brett DJL and Shearing PR
Journal of Membrane Science, Elsevier vol. 528, 24-33.
01-04-2017
Three‐Phase Segmentation of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Anode Materials Using Lab Based X‐ray Nano‐Computed TomographyHeenan TMM, Bailey JJ, Lu X, Robinson JB, Iacoviello F, Finegan DP, Brett DJL and Shearing PR
Fuel Cells, Wiley vol. 17 (1), 75-82.
01-02-2017
3D Characterization of Diffusivities and Its Impact on Mass Flux and Concentration Overpotential in SOFC AnodeLu X, Tjaden B, Bertei A, Li T, Li K, Brett D and Shearing P
Journal of The Electrochemical Society, The Electrochemical Society vol. 164 (4), f188-f195.
01-01-2017
2016
Effect of gas diffusion layer properties on water distribution across air-cooled, open-cathode polymer electrolyte fuel cells: A combined ex-situ X-ray tomography and in-operando neutron imaging studyMeyer Q, Ashton S, Boillat P, Cochet M, Engebretsen E, Finegan DP, Lu X, Bailey JJ, Mansor N, Abdulaziz R, Taiwo OO, Jervis R, Torija S, Benson P, Foster S, Adcock P, Shearing PR and Brett DJL
Electrochimica Acta, Elsevier vol. 211, 478-487.
01-09-2016
In Situ Laboratory-Based Transmission X-Ray Microscopy and Tomography of Material Deformation at the NanoscalePatterson BM, Cordes NL, Henderson K, Mertens JCE, Clarke AJ, Hornberger B, Merkle A, Etchin S, Tkachuk A, Leibowitz M, Trapp D, Qiu W, Zhang B, Bale H, Lu X, Hartwell R, Withers PJ and Bradley RS
Experimental Mechanics, Springer Nature vol. 56 (9), 1585-1597.
11-08-2016
2015
X-ray microscopy for in situ characterization of 3D nanostructural evolution in the laboratoryHornberger B, Bale H, Merkle A, Feser M, Harris W, Etchin S, Leibowitz M, Qiu W, Tkachuk A, Gu A, Bradley RS, Lu X, Withers PJ, Clarke A, Henderson K, Cordes N and Patterson BM
X-Ray Nanoimaging: Instruments and Methods II. vol. 9592
14-09-2015
2013
Study on Dimensional Stability of 1Cr18Ni9Ti Stainless Steel and Its MechanismWang Q, Lu X, Sun D, Han X and Wu G
16-08-2013
2012
Dependence of dielectric behavior in BiFeO3 ceramics on intrinsic defectsKe H, Wang W, Wang Y, Zhang H, Jia D, Zhou Y, Lu X and Withers P
Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Elsevier vol. 541, 94-98.
01-11-2012
2011
Precipitation behavior of α phase and mechanical properties in severely plastic deformed Ti-15-3 alloyGuo Q, Wang Q, Han X, Lu X, Sun D and Wu G
Xiyou Jinshu Cailiao Yu Gongcheng/Rare Metal Materials and Engineering, Xibei Youse Jinshu Yanjiuyuan vol. 40 (3), 377-383.
01-03-2011
Grants of specific relevance to the Centre for Sustainable Engineering
(EPSRC Fellowship) From 2D to 4D: correlative imaging and modelling for next-generation automotive l-GRANT TRANSFERXuekun Lu
£448,598 EPSRC Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
01-07-2023 - 30-06-2026