Prof. Jennifer Wen | Risk Management | Best Researcher Award
University of Surrey, United Kingdom
Profile
🎓Early Academic Pursuits
Jennifer X. Wen began her academic journey with a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 1984. Her quest for knowledge led her to Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, where she earned her PhD in 1990, specializing in heat transfer. Demonstrating a keen interest in management, she furthered her studies by obtaining a Certificate in Management Studies from Oxford Brooks University in 1993. Wen’s solid educational foundation laid the groundwork for her illustrious career in engineering and academia.
🔧Professional Endeavors
Jennifer X. Wen’s career trajectory showcases her rise through the ranks of academia and industry. Beginning as a Fluid Analyst at Computational Dynamics Limited from 1988 to 1991, Wen’s expertise soon earned her the position of Senior Scientist at the Gas Research Centre, British Gas plc, until 1993. Her transition into academia began as a Senior Lecturer at the School of Engineering, South Bank University London, where she served until 1998.
Her tenure at Kingston University London from 1998 to 2013 marked a significant period in her career. She progressed from Associate Professor to Professor in Thermofluids, also serving as the Director of Research. Subsequently, Wen joined the University of Warwick as a Professor of Engineering and Head of Warwick Fire, a position she held until 2023. Currently, she is a Professor in Energy Resilience at the University of Surrey, leading the Fire and Explosion Modelling Group and the Energy and Environment Programme at the Institute for Sustainability.
🔬Contributions and Research Focus
Wen’s research has primarily focused on fire safety, thermofluids, and energy resilience. She has significantly contributed to understanding and modeling fire dynamics and explosions, particularly in the context of hydrogen and lithium battery safety. Her work has led to substantial advancements in safety protocols and engineering practices.
Wen has supervised over 30 PhD students and more than 40 postdoctoral researchers, fostering a new generation of engineers and researchers. Her extensive involvement in research grants, with over £8 million in completed grants and nearly £1.5 million in current and upcoming projects, highlights her influential role in advancing combustion research and safety engineering.
🏅Accolades and Recognition
Throughout her career, Jennifer X. Wen has received numerous awards and accolades. These include the Best Annual Paper Award from eTransportation in 2023, the Best Paper Award at the International Conference on Hydrogen Safety in 2021, and multiple Outstanding Scholar Awards from the University of Warwick. She has also been recognized for her contributions to industrial safety and research excellence, with awards for best papers and presentations at international symposiums and conferences.
Wen’s professional affiliations further underscore her standing in the engineering community. She is a Fellow and Chartered Engineer of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) since 2020, a member of The Combustion Institute British Section, the Institute of Physics since 1991, and The International Association for Fire Safety Science since 1999.
🌍Impact and Influence
Jennifer X. Wen’s research has had a profound impact on both industrial practices and government policies. Her work on fire and explosion research has been selected as a case study for the Research Excellence Framework UK 2021, showcasing the real-world implications and benefits of her research.
She has also played a vital role in academic and professional communities through her visiting professorships at esteemed institutions such as the University of Science and Technology of China, East China University of Science and Technology, Dalian Institute of Technology, and others. Wen’s keynote speeches and invited talks at international symposiums and workshops further highlight her influence and thought leadership in the field.
🌟Legacy and Future Contributions
Jennifer X. Wen’s legacy is marked by her dedication to advancing engineering knowledge, fostering academic growth, and improving safety standards in industrial practices. Her extensive body of work, including book reviews, keynote speeches, and invited talks, positions her as a leading authority in her field. Wen continues to push the boundaries of research in energy resilience and fire safety, with ongoing projects and new grants ensuring that her contributions will shape the future of engineering and safety practices for years to come.
Her commitment to education and mentorship ensures that her influence extends beyond her immediate work, inspiring future generations of engineers and researchers to pursue excellence and innovation in their respective fields. Jennifer X. Wen’s career stands as a testament to the impact one individual can have on academia, industry, and society at large.
Publications
Investigation on thermal management performance of PCM-fin structure for Li-ion battery module in high-temperature environment
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- Authors: Ping Ping, Rongqi Peng, Depeng Kong, Guoming Chen, Jennifer Wen
- Journal: Energy conversion and management
- Year: 2018
A novel battery thermal management system coupling with PCM and optimized controllable liquid cooling for different ambient temperatures
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- Authors: Depeng Kong, Rongqi Peng, Ping Ping, Jin Du, Guoming Chen, Jennifer Wen
- Journal: Energy conversion and management
- Year: 2020
Experimental and modeling analysis of thermal runaway propagation over the large format energy storage battery module with Li4Ti5O12 anode
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- Authors: Peifeng Huang, Ping Ping, Ke Li, Haodong Chen, Qingsong Wang, Jennifer Wen, Jinhua Sun
- Journal:Applied energy
- Year: 2016
Validation of FDS for the prediction of medium-scale pool fires
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- Authors: Jennifer Xiaoling Wen, Kl Kang, Ted Donchev, John M Karwatzki
- Journal: Fire safety journal
- Year: 2007
Numerical study on spontaneous ignition of pressurized hydrogen release through a length of tube
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- Authors: Jennifer Xiaoling Wen, Boyang P Xu, VHY Tam
- Journal: Combustion and Flame
- Year: 2009