Biography

Dr. Lei Wang is appointed as a principal investigator at Westlake University. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from Tsinghua University (2006), Master’s Degree and PhD from Imperial College London (2012). Under Marie-Curie Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways scheme (EU-Royal Dutch Shell), she became a Research Fellow in the Centre of Environmental Policy, Imperial College London. She worked in Royal Dutch Shell from 2016 and became Senior Research Scientist before joining Westlake University in 2019. Now she is the Zhong Zhi Endowed Assistant Professor, School of Engineering, Westlake University.

Research

Waste lignocellulosic biomass material could become feedstock for renewable biofuels and biomaterials. The sustainable utilisation of waste biomass can significantly reduce the environmental impact caused by the conventional treatment. Dr. Wang’s research interests include converting waste biomass to energy and materials, establishing techno-economic feasible supply chain and assessing its environmental sustainability. The research contents include analytical chemistry, bioreactor operation; process simulation, supply chain optimisation; full life cycle analysis (attributional and consequential LCA), dynamic system modelling etc. Her research covers multidisciplinary fields, for example, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology. She has published around 20 SCI journal papers in Energy & Environmental Science, Green Chemistry, Biotechnology for Biofuels, Bioresource Technology, Applied Energy and Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews. Dr. Wang obtained the Outstanding Research Award in the 19th Biomass and Bioenergy Conference & Exhibition Berlin and obtained “2018 Shell CEO HSSE Awards” shortlist award. 

Her group will continue research in the fields of (1) converting waste lignocellulosic biomass (waste agriculture biomass and municipal solid waste) to biofuels and added-value biomaterials with focus in potential industrial applications; (2) bioenergy supply chain modelling and optimization by integrating multiple environmental impacts (Greenhouse gas emissions, water quality and water intensity) in order to support the development of technology and waste management strategy. 

Representative Publications

1. Yang, XP. Kentaro, Abe. Hiroyuki, Yano. Wang, L*, 2022, Multifunctional cellulosic materials prepared by a reactive DES based zero-waste system. Nano Letters, 22 (15), 6128-6134.

2. Yu, S. Dong, XY. Zhao, P. Luo, ZC. Sun, ZH. Yang, XX. Li, QH. Wang, L*. Zhang, YG*. Zhou, H*, 2022, Decoupled temperature and pressure hydrothermal synthesis of carbon sub-micron spheres from cellulose. Nature Communications, 13, 3613.

3. Yang, S. Yang, XP. Meng, XZ. Wang, L*, 2022, Efficient pretreatment using dimethyl isosorbide as a biobased solvent for potential complete biomass valorization. Green Chemistry, 24 (10), 4082-4094.

4. Zhang, Y. Guo, SC. Gong, Y*. Wang, L*, 2022, Potential trade-off between water consumption and water quality: life cycle assessment on nonaqueous solvent dyeing. Water Research, 118222.

5. Zhang CY†, Yang XP†, Yang S, Liu ZQ, Wang L*, 2022, Eco-friendly and multifunctional lignocellulosic nanofibre additives for enhancing pesticide deposition and retention, Chemical Engineering Journal, 133011.

6. Liu F, Dong XY, Zhao XB, Wang L*, 2021, Life cycle assessment of organosolv biorefinery designs with the complete use of biomass, Energy Conversion and Management, 246, 114653

7. Pang B†, Sun ZH†, Wang L†, Chen WJ, et al., 2021, Improved value and carbon footprint by complete utilization of corncob lignocellulose, Chemical Engineering Journal, 129565.

8. Wang L, Wang JG, Littlewood J, Cheng HB, 2013, Co-production of biorefinery products from kraft paper sludge and agricultural residues: opportunities and challenges, Green Chemistry, 16 (3),1527-1533

9. Wang L, Templer R, Murphy RJ, 2012, Environmental sustainability of bioethanol production from waste papers: sensitivity to the system boundary, Energy & Environmental Science, 5,8281-8293

10. Wang L, Sharifzadeh M, Templer R, Murphy RJ, 2012, Technology performance and economic feasibility of bioethanol production from various waste papers, Energy & Environmental Science, 5, 5717-5730