Professor Li has been working on thermal energy processes and systems since 2007 with extensive research experience in cryogenic fluids, flow and heat transfer, carbon capture, process intensification and integration, systematic analysis and optimisation. He has published over 30 peer-reviewed journals and book chapters as well as 2 patents. He has won several prestigious awards including the Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Award (EPSRC/Highview, 2007), China National Award for a Self-Financed Chinese Scholar (China Scholarship Council, 2011), and Collaborative Development Award (British Council, 2014). His current research interests cover a wide range including thermal energy (heat and cold) storage, refrigeration and air conditioning, carbon capture and storage, process and system simulation and optimization. He receives funding from the EPSRC and British Council in these fields as well as from major industrial companies including Air Products, SGRI and CSR. He has received over £2.5M in funding over since he joined Birmingham in 2014.