Contact
Biography
2023 - current ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Anne McLaren Fellow (PI), ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½
2019 - 2023 Research Associate in Gas Purification Technologies, University of Cambridge
2018 - 2019 Development Engineer at Gas Recovery and Recycle Limited
2014 - 2018 PhD in Engineering, University of Cambridge
2010 - 2014 BEng in Chemical Engineering, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ (Ningbo)
Yaoyao Zheng joined the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ in 2023 as an Anne McLaren Fellow (Principal Investigator). Her research group focuses on developing sustainable and resilient approaches, primarily through non-thermal plasma-assisted chemical systems, to the synthesis and conversion of chemicals and fuels, directly supporting the transition towards decarbonisation.
Current research interests include:
- Developing non-thermal plasma and chemical looping/catalysis systems for fuel synthesis (e.g. ammonia, hydrogen) and conversion, and gas purification
- Developing electrified processes for energy storage
- Producing separable structured carbon from hydrocarbons
- Carbon capture and utilisation
- Understanding the synergistic effects in plasma-catalysis
Research key words:
Non-thermal plasma, chemical looping, fuel/chemical synthesis, multi-phase system (plasma-solid-gas)
Dr Zheng is a member of:
- LCERT research group (Link).
- Editor board member of Carbon Capture Science and Technology () journal
- UKCCSRC
- Combustion Institute (British Section)
More information can be found at:
Join Us
We are interested in hearing from prospective PhD applicants. If you are interested or would like to apply, please directly email Yaoyao.
Current funded PhD positions:
The position is funded by the EPSRC/BBSRC and will be based at the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½.
Externally Funded Research Projects:
2026-2029 EPSRC New Investigator Award on Plasma-driven Green Ammonia Production, PI, £645 k
2026-2030 AEL CCS Industrial Grant on Carbon Capture, Co-I, £50 k
2024-2025 Royal Society Research Grant on green ammonia production, PI, £20 k
Teaching Summary
Yr2 Distillation Lab
Recent Publications
YAOYAO ZHENG and STUART A. SCOTT, 2025. Carbon Capture Science and Technology.
MADE SANTIHAYU SUKMA, YAOYAO ZHENG and STUART SCOTT, 2024. Chemical Engineering Journal.
KARINE ALKHATIB, MADE SANTIHAYU SUKMA, STUART A. SCOTT and YAOYAO ZHENG, 2024. Fuel.
ALEXANDER R.P. HARRISON, KIEN Y. KWONG, YAOYAO ZHENG, ABHISHEK BALKRISHNA, ALICE DYSON and EWA MAREK, 2023. Energy & Fuels. 37,