He Shan

Bio: He Shan obtained a joint Ph.D. in Energy and Engineering Thermophysics from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and National University of Singapore. His research focuses on functional soft materials and thermal engineering design for water-energy systems. Working with his supervisor, Prof. Ruzhu Wang, he studies atmospheric water harvesting systems that extract clean water from arid air. His work includes developing a thermodynamic framework for hygroscopic materials and proposing new cyclic operating principles for water harvesting systems. These advances have been translated into a spin-off company and demonstrated in real arid climates. He received his M.S. from Chongqing University and was awarded the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Academic Star in 2023.

Postdoctoral research project: Moisture Heat Pump.  Low-temperature heat represents a major share of global final energy demand and energy-related carbon emissions, yet it is still supplied predominantly by inefficient, unsustainable fossil-fuel combustion. He Shan will develop next-generation electrified heating solutions enabled by high-efficiency moisture heat pumps to help decarbonize thermal energy supply. His work will focus on designing heat-pump thermodynamic cycles and key components, then translating these designs into experimental validation and scalable manufacturing. By efficiently harvesting moisture in ambient air, an abundant source of water and recoverable energy, this moisture heat pump can deliver high-quality thermal energy and produce clean water, opening new sustainable pathways for global thermal energy use.

Research focus:  Energy Efficiency

Advisors:  Carlos Diaz-Marin & Ilenia Battiato - Energy Science and Engineering | Meagan Mauter - Civil & Environmental Engineering