Background Information

Tianhao Wu is currently an Associate Professor at the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo, China. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanics (Energy and Resources Engineering), B.E. in Energy and Resources Engineering, and B.A. in Economics from Peking University. He worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Reservoir Engineering Research Institute and Rice University from 2017 to 2021. He had held positions as Research Associate Professor at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) and Research Associate at Peking University. 

Download complete CV here.

Research Field

We study the fundamental physics of fluid flow in porous media. Our research aims to gain insight into the multi-physical processes in porous media and address the practical engineering problems for energy and environmental systems, including unconventional resources development and geological carbon sequestration. Our research involves various experimental techniques and simulation methods, including micro/nanomechanical tests, fluid flow experiments for porous media, molecular simulations, and pore-scale and laboratory-scale simulations. Specifically, we are interested in the following topics:

(1) Nanomechanical tests for rocks under complex conditions

(2) Advanced experimental methods for microflow and nanoflow

(3) Molecular scale, pore-scale, and laboratory-scale simulations for multi-physical processes in porous media

Educational Background

2010-2016: Ph.D. in Mechanics (Energy and Resources Engineering), Peking University

2006-2010: B.E. in Energy and Resources Engineering and B.A. in Economics (Double Major), Peking University

Work Experience

2023-present: Associate Professor, College of Engineering, Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo

2022-2023: Assistant Professor, College of Engineering, Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo

2021-2022: Research Associate Professor, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech)

2020-2021: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University

2017-2020: Postdoctoral Researcher, Reservoir Engineering Research Institute

2016-2017: Research Associate, College of Engineering, Peking University

Representative Works

General Information

Google Scholar：

http://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=kCRSBV0AAAAJ

10 Representative Works 

• Wu, T., and A. Firoozabadi. 2022, Effect of fluids on the critical energy release rate of typical components in shale and andesite by molecular simulations, The Journal of Chemical Physics, 157: 044701.

• Wu, T., and A. Firoozabadi, 2021, Calculation of solid–fluid interfacial free energy with consideration of solid deformation by molecular dynamics simulations, The Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 125(26): 5841–5848. 

• Wu, T., and A. Firoozabadi, 2021, Surfactant-enhanced spontaneous emulsification near the crude oil–water interface, Langmuir, 37(15): 4736–4743. 

• Wu, T., J. Zhao, W. Zhang, and D. Zhang, 2020, Nanopore structure and nanomechanical properties of organic-rich terrestrial shale: An insight into technical issues for hydrocarbon production, Nano Energy, 69: 104426. (Front Cover Article)

• Wu, T., and A. Firoozabadi, 2020, Mechanical properties and failure envelope of kerogen matrix by molecular dynamics simulations, The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 124(4): 2289–2294. 

• Wu, T., and A. Firoozabadi, 2020, Fracture toughness and surface energy density of kerogen by molecular dynamics simulations in tensile failure, The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 124(29): 15895–15901. 

• Wu, T., and A. Firoozabadi, 2019, Effect of microstructural flexibility on methane flow in kerogen matrix by molecular dynamics simulations, The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 123(17): 10874–10880. 

• Wu, T.#, H. Zhao#, S. Tesson, and A. Firoozabadi, 2019, Absolute adsorption of light hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide in shale rock and isolated kerogen, Fuel, 235: 855–867. (#Equal contribution)

• Wu, T., and A. Firoozabadi, 2018, Molecular simulation of binary gas mixture transport in slit nanopores, The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 122(36): 20727–20735. 

• Wu, T., X. Li, J. Zhao, and D. Zhang, 2017, Multiscale pore structure and its effect on gas transport in organic-rich shale. Water Resources Research, 53(7): 5438–5450. (Editor's Highlight)