Research Interests:

• Near-net-shape production of advanced titanium alloy components via molten salt electrolysis
• Electrochemical reprocessing of spent fuels
• Fabrication of titanium alloy powders for 3D printing
• Electro-deposition of composites of polymer and carbon nanotubes for chemical sensing and energy storage
• Synthesis of bio-inspired advanced functional materials

Dr. Di Hu’s primary research background lies in the electrochemical production of pure metals or metal alloys via direct solid-state electrodeoxidation (i.e. the FFC-Cambridge Process) of metal oxide precursors in molten salt (Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B. 2013; 44(2):272-282). By applying an inert anode, a carbon-free metallurgical process can be achieved which is essential for emission control.

In addition, He has also conducted researches on (i) electro-deposition of conducting composites of electroactive polymer and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) towards potential applications for chemical sensing (i.e. CO2 sensor) (ACS Nano. 2010; 4(7):4274-4282) and energy storage (i.e. supercapattery) (Energy & Environmental Science. 2014; 7(3):1018-1022), and (ii) chemical synthesis of bio-inspired conducting polymer materials, such as lotus leaf -like superhydrophobic polyaniline (Advanced Materials. 2014; 26(15):2440-2445).    

Research Experience:

• 2014- present: Assistant Professor (Lecturer) of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China. Research project: Electrochemical production of titanium alloy powders for 3D printing.
• 2011-2014: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham UK. Research project: REFINE-The sustainable reduction of spent fuel vital in a closed loop nuclear energy cycle.
• 2007-2011: PhD in Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham UK. Research project: Electrochemical near-net-shape production of titanium alloy components via the FFC Cambridge Process.
• 2006: BEng in Chemical Engineering and Technology, Key Laboratory of Organics Solids, Institute of Chemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences (ICCAS). Research project: Chemical synthesis of superhydrophobic conducting polymers.

Module Convener and Lecturer

• Water Treatment (H83WAT)
• Process Engineering Project (H82PEP)
• Plan Design (H82PLD)

Contributing Lecturer

• Design Projects (H83DPX)
• Fundamentals of Engineering Design (H81FED)