
Dr Bo Li
PhD, MSc, BEng
Expertise
Dr Bo Li researches on a wide range of theoretical and experimental topics in the area of thermofluids, advanced cooling methods, novel heat exchanger design, heat transfer enhancement, advanced clean energy and propulsion system.
Current positions
Lecturer in Energy Engineering
School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering
Contact
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Biography
Dr. Li's research focuses on advanced thermal management solutions for clean energy and electrified propulsion systems, with particular emphasis on phase change cooling techniques for fuel cells, electrolysers, and electric motors and Power electronics. His work spans fundamental research and industrial applications, collaborating with leading companies such as Dynex, ZeroAvia, GKN and AVL UK.
Prior to joining Bristol, Dr. Li was a Lecturer at the University of Kent and a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham. He has a strong track record in attracting research funding such as Royal Society and EPSRC, also including large grants from the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK and Aerospace Technology Institute with Innovate UK. Dr. Li has published extensively in high-impact journals and serves as an Associate Editor for Next Energy (Elsevier) and Academic Editor for Automotive Innovation (Springer).
Dr. Li is committed to excellence in teaching and curriculum development, having established new modules in fluid dynamics and thermodynamics. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and received a Teaching Award from the University of Kent in 2022.
As a member of the EPSRC Peer Review College and various professional bodies, Dr. Li actively contributes to the wider academic and engineering communities. His research and teaching continue to drive innovation in thermal management for sustainable energy technologies.
Welcome enquiries from potential PhD candidates and post-docs in following research areas: Heat & mass transport, computing in phase change flow, thermal management of electrified powertrain & fuelcell
Research interests
Dr. Bo Li's research focuses on advanced thermal management solutions for clean energy and electrified propulsion systems.
His work encompasses innovative cooling techniques for fuel cells, electrolysers, and electric motors, with a particular emphasis on phase change cooling methods.
Dr. Li also investigates thermal efficiency in power electronics, battery systems, and hydrogen technologies. His interdisciplinary approach combines experimental work with computational fluid dynamics to develop next-generation thermal management strategies for sustainable energy applications.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
SESSF, Smart Electrification of Short Straits Ferries
Role
Co-Investigator
Description
The Smart Electrification of Short Straits Ferries (SESSF) project is a 5-month feasibility study focusing on the assessment and examination of different design options and battery duty cycles of electric…Managing organisational unit
School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical EngineeringDates
01/11/2024 to 31/03/2025
ATI Programme. Project 10097017. Advanced Fuel Cells for Aviation Decarbonization
Principal Investigator
Description
Improve the Power Density by reducing component weights and improve component area- and weight efficiencies;
Improvement of the Polarisation curve for HTPEM;
Improve/Establish fuel cell durability of 8000hrs with path to 10000hrs…Managing organisational unit
School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical EngineeringDates
01/05/2024 to 30/09/2026
KTP project 566619: 3D Solid Mechanics-CFD Modelling of A PEM Fuel Cell Stack
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical EngineeringDates
31/10/2022 to 30/04/2023
CMDC2 project Green Corridor at Short Straits (GCSS): feasibility study into establishing a Green Corridor between Port of Dover and the Ports of Calais and Dunkirk.
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical EngineeringDates
31/03/2022 to 01/09/2024
The Royal Society- International Exchanges Scheme: Advanced manufacturing and performance optimization of ultra-thin micro heat pipes
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical EngineeringDates
01/04/2019 to 31/10/2021
Publications
Selected publications
01/01/2022A critical review on thermal management technologies for motors in electric cars
Applied Thermal Engineering
Direct Phase-Change Cooling of Vapor Chamber Integrated With IGBT Power Electronic Module for Automotive Application
IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics
Heat Spreading Performance of Integrated IGBT Module with Bonded Vapour Chamber for Electric Vehicle
Advances in Heat Transfer and Thermal Engineering
Recent publications
01/08/2025Comparative analysis of heat transfer enhancement using direct current and alternating current corona discharge in pin fin arrays
International Journal of Thermal Sciences
Low-energy and accelerated hydrogen release from MgH2-5 wt% NaTiO x H catalyzed hydrogen storage reactor by graphite responsive microwave
Journal of Magnesium and Alloys
An overview of application-oriented multifunctional large-scale stationary battery and hydrogen hybrid energy storage system
Energy Reviews
High-stability dead-end anode proton exchange membrane fuel cells by purge optimization
Journal of Power Sources
Supersonic separation towards sustainable gas removal and carbon capture
Progress in Energy and Combustion Science