AI for Thermal Engineering · Two-Phase Heat Transfer · Microchannel Cooling

人工智能赋能热设计｜气液两相传热｜微通道冷却

I am Long Huang (黄龙), an Associate Professor at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) in Taicang, Suzhou, China. My research combines experiments, numerical modelling and interpretable machine learning to understand and improve heat transfer in microchannels and thermal systems. Current work addresses flow boiling and condensation, critical heat flux and dryout, and heat exchanger design and optimisation. Recent projects explore multi-task learning and large language models for heat-transfer prediction and knowledge extraction.

I received my PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 2014. Before joining XJTLU in 2020, I worked in energy consulting at Navigant in the United States and industrial R&D at Daikin in Japan. My research has received support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and industrial partners.

PhD Opportunities / 博士招生

I welcome enquiries from prospective PhD students interested in AI for thermal engineering, microchannel heat transfer, liquid cooling, and thermal-system simulation and optimisation. Relevant backgrounds include mechanical engineering, energy and power engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, applied mathematics, and computer or data science.

Start a conversation: email long.huang@xjtlu.edu.cn with your CV, a short description of your research interests, and your preferred start date. Suggested subject: PhD enquiry – Research topic – Intended intake.

欢迎有志于人工智能与传热交叉研究、微通道两相流、液冷及热系统优化的同学联系。初次咨询请附简历、研究兴趣和希望入学时间；具体项目名额、奖学金类别及申请专业请先邮件确认。

Research Themes and Selected Work

1. Interpretable AI for heat transfer. How can machine learning predict thermal performance and reveal useful physical relationships? We investigate interpretable models, multi-task learning, and ML–LLM approaches to prediction and knowledge extraction. Selected work: Interpretable machine learning for predicting heat transfer in micro-channel flow boiling (2026).
2. Two-phase microchannel cooling. How do boiling, condensation, critical heat flux and sustained dryout depend on refrigerant and channel geometry? Our experimental work examines R410A and low-GWP R454C. Selected work: Critical heat flux inception and sustained dryout in R410A and R454C micro-channel boiling (published online in September 2026).
3. Heat exchanger design and optimisation. How can numerical models and experiments guide manufacturable designs with better thermal performance? We study data-driven geometry design, CFD and additive manufacturing. Selected work: A validated data-driven fin geometric design framework for microchannel heat exchangers (2026), and Dryout mitigation through interrupted micro-fins in 3D-printed R454C micro-channel tubes (published online in September 2026).

PhD Projects and Funding

The following projects provide starting points for discussion. Please contact me to confirm current vacancies, funding terms and the appropriate intake before applying.

• FOSLG240601 – Performance optimisation of heat transfer devices under dynamic system conditions. Application programme: Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Listed on the XJTLU funded-project page. Project description.
• FOSLG230503 – Multiphysics optimisation of control valve structures. Application programme: Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Listed on the XJTLU funded-project page. Official project description and requirements.
• SFXJTU2508 – Intelligent flow control using thermo-responsive shape memory alloys. XJTLU–XJTU–UoL joint doctoral supervision project. Application programme in the official project document: Computer Science and Software Engineering. Project description; joint programme information. Please enquire about funding.

Funding is project-specific. XJTLU offers full scholarships, fees-only scholarships and partial tuition-fee scholarships. The precise award, including whether it covers a living stipend, must be confirmed for the project and applicant. See the official scholarship information.

How to Enquire and Apply

1. Contact me first with your CV, research interests and intended intake. You are welcome to ask about research fit or arrange an online discussion or campus visit.
2. Agree on the project and application route. Select the programme and project code specified for your chosen project; the programme is not the same for every project listed above.
3. Prepare the formal application, including the research proposal and required supporting documents, using the official application guidance and XJTLU application portal.

Upcoming application dates: as listed by XJTLU on 24 September 2026, existing funded-project applications have a deadline of 30 October 2026 for March 2027 entry; the following deadline is 15 January 2027 for June 2027 entry. The next listed round for self-funded proposals and PhD Merit-Based Scholarships closes on 15 January 2027 for September 2027 entry. Check the official guidance for updates and project-specific availability.

Research Training and Student Stories

Students in the group have worked across experiments, simulation, data analysis and engineering design, with opportunities connected to government- and industry-supported research. Our current and former members come from engineering, computer science, applied mathematics, materials science and the built environment.

• Junjia Zou: from an undergraduate research project to doctoral research – an XJTLU student feature discussing his research journey (Chinese, March 2026).

Questions from Prospective Applicants

Can I suggest my own topic? Yes. Please explain how it connects to our research. For an advertised project, use its description as the starting point for your proposal. Self-proposed projects and merit-based scholarship applications follow the university’s separate review process.

What should my research proposal demonstrate? A clear question, an understanding of relevant literature, a reasoned choice of methods, and your own critical thinking. The detailed research plan can develop through discussion.

Can I apply with only a bachelor’s degree? Check the requirements of the specific programme and project. Exceptional bachelor-only applicants may be considered on an individual basis where permitted; the Graduate School determines eligibility.

Undergraduate and Master’s Research Opportunities

Enquiries are also welcome for Final Year Projects (FYP), the Summer Undergraduate Research Fund (SURF), master’s research projects and research-assistant opportunities where available. Please include your degree programme, relevant skills and period of availability when contacting me.

Profile and recruitment information updated: 24 September 2026.

• Interpretable machine learning, multi-task learning and large language models for heat-transfer prediction / 可解释机器学习、多任务学习与大语言模型传热预测
• Microchannel flow boiling and condensation; two-phase flow distribution / 微通道流动沸腾、冷凝与两相流分配
• Critical heat flux, sustained dryout and low-GWP refrigerants / 临界热流密度、持续干涸与低GWP工质
• Liquid cooling and thermal management / 液冷与热管理
• Heat exchanger geometry optimisation, additive manufacturing and experimental validation / 换热器结构优化、增材制造与实验验证
• Multiphysics CFD and thermo-fluid system simulation and optimisation / 多物理场CFD与热流体系统仿真优化
• Model-based systems engineering; energy efficiency codes and standards / 基于模型的系统工程与能效法规标准

Associate Professor, School of Intelligent Manufacturing Ecosystem, Suzhou, China, Jan 2024 to date

Assistant Professor, School of Intelligent Manufacturing Ecosystem, Suzhou, China, Sep 2020 to Dec 2023

Researcher, Technology Innovation Center, Daikin Industries, Ltd., Osaka, Japan, Jun 2017 - Aug 2020

Senior Consultant, Navigant Consulting Inc., Washington, D.C., United States, Oct 2014 - Apr 2017

Syntegrative Education

I connect disciplinary learning with student-defined investigations of authentic industry problems. As Module Leader of MFE204TC Artificial Intelligence and Data Analysis, I coordinated a pool of 11 industry-linked project contributions from 7 academics and their company partners. Students choose a context, formulate their own questions and refine their analyses using real operating data. My teaching combines academic guidance with opportunities to test the practical relevance of student work.

Learning design and assessment

In 2023/24, I used Learning Mall to support group choice, group submission, self-assessment and peer assessment. In 2024/25, I introduced an interactive coding and mentorship environment through MATLAB Grader. These practices connect student autonomy with structured guidance and assessment.

Educational development and dissemination

With the Academy of Future Education, I co-applied for and co-launched the Centre of Excellence initiative in Syntegrative Education focused on AI-assisted module design. The collaborative Fishbone Digital Learning Design platform recorded 625 registered users in 2024/25, including external participants. I lead the 2025–2026 Syntegrative Education Design and AI project and contributed as co-investigator to the 2024 Ministry of Education project on gamified MATLAB teaching. I co-authored the open-access Springer textbook MATLAB Roadmap to Applications Volume I Fundamental (2025).

I served as Conference Chair of the Second International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Education (ICAIE 2026), held at XJTLU on 13–15 May 2026. Its theme centred on AI-empowered Syntegrative Education. The conference brought together 240 participants, including 50 international delegates, to exchange research and educational practice.

Modules taught

MFE204TC Artificial Intelligence and Data Analysis
MFE107TC Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics
MES102TC Experimental, Computer Skills and Sustainability
RBE201TC Project, Problem Solving and Sustainability in Robotics
DTS104TC Numerical Methods
MFE104TC Electrical Circuits

Professional qualification: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Teaching profile updated 27 September 2026.

2024-2025 XJTLU Industry Engagement Champion Award

2022-2023 Academic Performance Award, School of Intelligent Manufacturing

2012-2013 2013-2014 GDF SUEZ ENERGY NA Graduate Fellowship

2014 Student Paper Competition Award 2nd Place at 15th International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference

2014 FAEE Baltimore Chapter Scholarship

2013 ASHRAE Winter Conference Travel Grant

2011-2012 Max Tech and Beyond Appliance Design Competition, U.S. DOE, First place