To deepen academic exchanges between China and the UK in the fields of low-carbon combustion and clean energy, and to promote innovation in key technologies and international research collaboration on ammonia-hydrogen combustion, the China–UK Joint Workshop on Ammonia-Hydrogen Combustion Technologies was successfully held on July 23 at the School of Mechanical Engineering (ME), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). The workshop was jointly organized by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Cardiff University, with over 40 participants in attendance. Experts, scholars and early-career researchers from universities and research institutions including Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Cardiff University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, the Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tongji University, Guangzhou Maritime College and etc., gathered to engage in in-depth discussions on the fundamental theories, key technologies and engineering applications of ammonia-hydrogen combustion, and to jointly explore the future direction of zero-carbon fuel combustion technologies.

The conference featured keynote speeches, specialized presentations and academic discussions, with numerous domestic and foreign experts delivering presentations on the fundamental researches and engineering applications of ammonia-hydrogen combustion. Professor Agustin Valera-Medina from Cardiff University in the UK delivered a keynote address entitled “Safe Ammonia Using INHCA Blends for Transportation, Power and Heating”. Focusing on the application prospects of ammonia-cracked blended fuels in the transport, power generation and heating sectors, he outlined the latest research progress in the safe utilization and efficient combustion of ammonia fuels, thereby providing new research insights for the industrial application of zero-carbon fuels.

Professor Li Yuyang from Shanghai Jiao Tong University delivered a keynote presentation entitled “Fundamental Combustion Research for Decarbonization and Efficient Ammonia Energy”. Research Fellow Li Jun from the Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, gave a presentation titled “High-pressure Liquid Ammonia Spray and Ammonia-Diesel Combustion Technology”. Professor Liu Xiaowei from Huazhong University of Science and Technology delivered a keynote presentation entitled “Research and Engineering Practice of Ammonia Combustion in Coal-fired Power Plants”. Professor Han Dong from Shanghai Jiao Tong University delivered a presentation entitled “Ammonia-fuelled Combustion Technologies for Engines”, focusing on the latest achievements in combustion enhancement, combustion stability and pollutant control for ammonia-fuelled engines of his research team. Professor Cai Liming from Tongji University introduced the latest research progress on the use of artificial intelligence to optimize hydrogen transport systems, this research provides important guidance for the efficient design and intelligent operation of hydrogen transport infrastructure.

As the representative of the China-UK Low Carbon College (LCC), Associate Professor Chong Cheng Tung delivered a keynote presentation at the symposium entitled “From NH₃ to H₂: Impact of Cracking on Combustion Behaviour”. He outlined the development potential of ammonia as a hydrogen carrier within low-carbon energy systems, focusing in particular on the mechanisms by which the NH₃/H₂/N₂ mixed fuel formed during the cracking process influences combustion behaviour. The presentation highlighted the application prospects of cracked ammonia fuel in achieving high-efficiency, low-emission combustion, and shared the team’s latest research progress in the field of ammonia-based zero-carbon fuels.                                                                                                     

During the conference, the UK-China Early Career Energy Researcher Network was officially launched. This platform was jointly initiated by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Cardiff University and the Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, with the aim of establishing an international platform connecting early-career researchers in the global energy sector. In the future, the platform will regularly organize online expert lectures and academic seminars, and promote the development of collaborative research projects, thereby continuing to support international cooperation in the energy sector and the transition to a green economy.

This symposium further deepened exchanges and cooperation in the field of low-carbon combustion between Shanghai Jiao Tong University and other domestic & international universities and research institutions, such as Cardiff University in the UK, and established a high-calibre academic platform to drive innovation in ammonia-hydrogen combustion technology and its applications, as well as to promote international exchanges among young scholars. In the future, LCC will continue to leverage its strength in international education, centred on the national “Dual Carbon” strategy, it will continue to deepen international scientific and technological cooperation, strengthen research into key core technologies in the field of low-carbon energy, and contribute the expertise of SJTU to the nation’s green and low-carbon energy transition and global sustainable development.