Academic Experience

2012.07 - 2018.08 University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D.

2010.09 - 2012.07 Stanford University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Master

2006.09 - 2010.07 Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Bachelor

Work Experience

2022.07 - Now       College of Smart Energy, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Associate Professor,

2018.10 - 2022.06  Renewable Energy National Laboratory, USA,  Researcher

2017.09 - 2018.09  University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, USA, Postdoctoral Researcher

1. Renewable Synthetic Fuel
2. New Energy Automotive Powertrain
3. Mechatronics Control
4. Big Data Analysis and Machine Learning

1. Chen Zhang, Biaowu Lu, Jinlong Wang, Lei Zhu, Jin Xiao, Zongxuan Sun, and Zhen Huang, “Numerical Analysis of Ammonia HCCI Combustion in a Free Piston Engine Through Trajectory-Based Combustion Control”, Fuel, 341: 127634, 2023.
2. Chen Zhang, Karen Ficenec, Andrew Kotz, Kenneth Kelly, Darrell Sonntag, Carl Fulper, Jessica Brakora, Tiffany Mo, and Sudheer Ballare, “Development of a Heavy-Duty Vehicle Activity Database for Improved Estimates of Start and Idle Emissions”, Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, Volume 105, 103251, 2022.
3. Chen Zhang, Kenneth Kelly, Andrew Kotz, and Eric Miller, “Analysis of In-Use Engine Speed/Torque Heat-Maps Across Medium Duty/Heavy Duty Application”, International journal of engine research, (23)10, 2021.
4. Chen Zhang, Andrew Kotz, Kenneth Kelly, and Luke Rippelmeyer, “Development of Heavy-Duty Vehicle Representative Driving Cycles via Decision Tree Regression”, Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, Volume 95, 102843, 2021.
5. Chen Zhang, Eric Miller, Andrew Kotz, Kenneth Kelly, Matthew Thornton, Michael Geller, and Rasto Brezny, “Characterization of Commercial Vehicles’ Start-Up Operations from In-Use Data”, Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, Volume 91, 102694, Feb. 2021.
6. Chen Zhang and Zongxuan Sun, “A Control-oriented Model for Trajectory-based HCCI Combustion Control”, Journal of Dynamics, Systems, Measurement, and Control, Volume 140, Page 091013-1-091013-10, Sep 2018.
7. Chen Zhang and Zongxuan Sun, “Trajectory-based Combustion Control for Renewable Fuels in Free Piston Engines”, Applied Energy, Volume 187, Page 72-83, Feb 2017.
8. Chen Zhang and Zongxuan Sun, “Using Variable Piston Trajectory to Reduce Engine-out Emissions”, Applied Energy, Volume 170, Page 403-414, May 2016.
9. Chen Zhang, Ke Li and Zongxuan Sun, “Modeling of Piston Trajectory-based HCCI Combustion Enabled by a Free Piston Engine”, Applied Energy, Volume 139, Page 313-326, February 2015.

1. Shanghai Municipal Major Project, “Basic Theory and Key Technology of Renewable Synthetic Fuels”, 2023-2026, RMB 24.497 million
2. Ministry of Industry and Information Technology High-tech Ship Power Scientific Research Project, “Research on Key Combustion Technology of Otto Cycle Ammonia Fuel Engine”, 2023 to 2026, RMB 41 million
3. U.S. Department of Energy, Vehicle Technology Office Research Project, “A New Approach for Increasing Efficiency of Agricultural Tractor and Implements,” 2020 to 2023, $2.5 million
4. California Air Resources Board, Cooperative Research Project, “Real Emissions Assessment Logging for Off-Road Vehicle and Engine”, 2022 to 2023, $150,000
5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cooperative Research Project, “Activity Update Using On-Road Heavy-Duty Vehicle Data”, 2020 to 2021, $110,000

1. Shanghai Overseas High-Level Talents (Innovation) Title 2022
2. U.S. Renewable Energy National Laboratory, Individual Key Contribution Award 2021
3. ASME Annual Conference on Dynamic Systems Control, Best Paper Award 2018