The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) invited Prof Wenquan Tao, President of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and Professor of Energy and Power Engineering at Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU), to deliver a Distinguished Lecture hosted by the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) entitled “Multiscale Simulation of Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow Problems” at HKUST campus on 14 Dec 2012. The event was well-received by over 100 enthusiastic students and faculty members across different schools of HKUST.

At the IAS distinguished lecture, Prof Tao talked on the multiscale heat transfer and fluid flow problems. They are divided into two categories: multiscale system and multiscale process. Multiscale system is characterized by large variation in length scales in which the processes at different length scales have the same governing equations and can be solved by the same numerical method. He also used the example of increasing grid finesses with cooling of PCB as the top-to-down solution approach.

He also shared the different numerical methods in the multiscale process phenomena. The information exchange at the interfaces of different governing equations is the key for an efficient and accurate numerical solution for such process. The transmission of solutions from mesoscale (microscale) to macroscale (mesoscale) is then easy to be implemented. On the reverse, he also discussed the challenging issue in multiscale simulations in transmission of less information to more information (reconstruction). He also presented his group’s development of several reconstruction operators and their application examples.

Prof Tao is a renowned figure in the area of energy and thermofluid engineering and a member of the prestigious Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). His research interests focus on heat transfer and fluid flow problems, including advanced numerical methods for simulation of fluid flow and heat transfer and their applications, multiscale simulation of heat transfer and fluid flow problems, and cooling techniques for electronic devices and equipment.

Prof Tao pursued his undergraduates and graduate studies in Power Machinery Engineering at XJTU. He has then joined the faculty of XJTU since 1966. He was a Visiting Scholar at the Heat Transfer Laboratory of the University of Minnesota, Guest Professor at Kyushu University, and Visiting Professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He is currently President of Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, and Professor of Energy and Power Engineering at Xi'an Jiaotong University. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Tongji University and HKUST.

Prof Tao received numerous awards for his achievements in both research and teaching, including the National Science and Technology Awards, National Natural Science Award, China Universities Science and Technology Award, Technology Progress Award of the Ministry of Electric Power Industry, and Special National Teaching Achievement Award, etc. In 2003, Prof Tao was awarded the National Distinguished Professor honored by the Ministry of Education. In 2005, he was elected Member of CAS. In 2006, he won National May 1st Labour Medal.

Prof Tao is an associate chief editor of two international journals dealing with papers submitted by Chinese authors, and a member of editing board of three international journals. Currently, Prof Tao is Vice Chairman of the Heat Transfer Committee of the Chinese Association of Engineering Thermophysics. He has published 110 papers in various international journals, and over 60 international conference papers; and he has also published over 170 papers in various Chinese journals, and written 10 books and textbooks. He owns 6 invention patents.