v    Thermochemical conversion of biomass to bioproducts (hydrothermal liquefaction and pyrolysis)  

v    Process integration and simulation, techno-economic analysis, and life cycle assessment

v    Heterogeneous catalysts

v    Fluidized bed technology

Washington State University (WSU), Pullman, WA

Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering, 2015-2020

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Worcester, MA

Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, 2012-2015

Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT), Beijing, China

Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering, 2008-2012

Research Scientist, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2021-Present

Postdoc, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU, 2020-2021

1.      X. Gu, N. Pang, Y. Qiu, Y. Yao*, S. Chen*. Systematic evaluation on fractionation and valorization of lignocellulose via two-stage sequential hydrothermal liquefaction. Fuel, 310, 2022, 122358. (IF:6.609)

2.      X. Gu, X. Fu, S. Chen*. Hydrothermal liquefaction conversion of lignocelluloses with enhanced fungal pretreatment. Industrial Crops and Products, 162, 2021, 113268. (IF:5.645)

3.      J.S. Martinez-Fernandez1, X. Gu1, S. Chen*. Techno-economic assessment of bioactive compound recovery from potato peels with sequential hydrothermal extraction. Journal of Cleaner Production, 282, 2021, 124356. (IF:9.297)

4.      X. Fu, J. Zhang, X. Gu, H. Yu*, S. Chen*. A comprehensive study of the promoting effect of manganese on white rot fungal treatment for enzymatic hydrolysis of woody and grass lignocellulose. Biotechnology for Biofuels, 14, 2021, 176. (IF:6.040)

5.      F.P. Alege, X. Gu, H. Tao, G.J. Miito, P.M. Ndegwa*. Dairy manure compost pelleting process: a techno-economic analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 310, 2021, 127481. (IF:9.297)

6.      J.S. Martinez-Fernandez, A. Seker, M. Davaritouchaee, X. Gu, S. Chen*. Recovering valuable bioactive compounds from potato peels via sequential hydrothermal extraction. Waste and Biomass Valorization, 12, 2021, 1465-1481. (IF:3.703)

7.      X. Gu, J.S. Martinez-Fernandez, Na. Pang, X. Fu, S. Chen*. Recent development of hydrothermal liquefaction of algal biorefinery. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Review, 121, 2020, 109707. (IF:14.982)

8.      X. Gu, L. Yu*, N. Pang, J.S. Martinez-Fernandez, X. Fu, S. Chen. Comparative techno-economic analysis of algal biofuel production via hydrothermal liquefaction: one stage versus two stages. Applied Energy, 259, 2020, 114115. (IF:9.746)

9.      N. Pang, A.D. Bergeron, X. Gu, X. Fu, S. Chen*. Recycling of nutrients from dairy wastewater by extremophilic microalgae with high ammonia tolerance. Environmental Science and Technology, 54, 2020, 15366-75. (IF:9.028) 

10.      N. Pang, X. Gu, S. Chen*, H. Kirchhoff, H. Lei, S. Roje. Exploiting mixotrophy for improving productivities of biomass and co-products of microalgae. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 112, 2019, 450-460. (IF:14.982)

11.      N. Pang, X. Gu, X. Fu, S. Chen*. Effects of gluconate on biomass improvement and light stress tolerance of Haematococcus pluvialis under mixotrophic culture. Algal Research, 43, 2019, 101647. (IF:4.401)

1.        S. Chen, J.S. Martinez-Fernandez, X. Gu. "Sequential HTL for biomass processing". 2020 Thermal & Catalytic Sciences, Washington State University, Virtual Symposium, Oct 6, 2020. Oral Presentation.

2.        X. Gu and S. Chen. "Fractionation of lignocellulose to biochemicals via sequential hydrothermal liquefaction (SeqHTL)". Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals, Seattle, WA, Apr 28, 2019. Poster Presentation.

3.        X. Gu and S. Chen. "Degradation of lignocellulose and production of chemicals via sequential hydrothermal liquefaction". AIChE Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, Oct 28, 2018. Oral Presentation.

4.        X. Gu and S. Chen. "Comparative techno-economic analysis of algal biofuel production via hydrothermal liquefaction: one stage versus two stages". AIChE Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, Nov 1, 2017. Poster Presentation.

The Melvin M. Smith and Ruth M. Smith Scholarship, WSU, May 2017

Environment Innovation Challenge (EIC) competition, finalist, University of Washington, Mar 2017, Mar 2018

Health Innovation Challenge (HIC) competition, finalist, University of Washington, Feb 2017

Alaska Airlines travel award, WSU, Nov 2016, Dec 2017