Biography
Dr Kim Li is a Lecturer in Renewable Energy and Artificial Intelligence at the University of the Built Environment. Her teaching and research bring together renewable energy technologies, environmental engineering, artificial intelligence and data-driven modelling.
Kim completed her PhD at University College London, where her research investigated microwave-assisted anaerobic digestion of waste-activated sludge. Her work combined laboratory experimentation, multi-scale material and microbial characterisation, process modelling, energy assessment and machine learning to improve biogas recovery and understand the thermal and non-thermal mechanisms of microwave pretreatment.
Before joining the University, Kim worked as a Senior Chemical Engineer at the Materials Processing Institute, contributing to industrial decarbonisation, energy efficiency, and sustainable process development projects. She has also worked on research involving intelligent gas composition sensing, life-cycle assessment, and the application of artificial intelligence to renewable energy and environmental systems.
Publications
- He, C., Liu, N., Meng, W., Li, Y., Zhou, X., Cheng, S. and Li, Z. (2026). A multimethod analytical technique based on FT–ICR MS elucidates the thermal transformation characteristics of DOM in fecal sludge biochar and its effects on seed germination. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 14(5), 123554. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2026.123554
- Li, Y., He, C., Campos, L.C., Cheng, S., Li, Z. and Hu, Y. (2026). Microwave-assisted anaerobic digestion of waste-activated sludge: Integrating multi-scale characterisation and energy assessment for enhanced biogas recovery. Environmental Research, 294, 123896. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2026.123896
- Li, Y., Lu, M., Campos, L.C., Cheng, S., Li, Z. and Hu, Y. (2025). A synergistic framework integrating statistical design and machine learning for enhancing biogas yield. Energy Nexus, 20, 100583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexus.2025.100583
- Li, Y., Campos, L.C. and Hu, Y. (2025). The role of sludge microstructure in enhancing anaerobic digestion: A comprehensive review combining bibliometric and experimental insights. Environment, Development and Sustainability, pp. 1–35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-025-06702-6
- Ma, T., Liu, N., Li, Y., Ye, Z., Chen, Z., Cheng, S., Campos, L.C. and Li, Z. (2024). Effects of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics on anaerobic mono-digestion and co-digestion of fecal sludge from septic tank. Molecules, 29(19), 4692. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29194692
- Li, Y., Lu, M., Campos, L.C. and Hu, Y. (2024). Predicting biogas yield after microwave pretreatment using artificial neural network models: Performance evaluation and method comparison. ACS ES&T Engineering, 4(10), pp. 2435–2448. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestengg.4c00276
- Li, Y., Campos, L.C. and Hu, Y. (2024). Microwave pretreatment of wastewater sludge technology—a scientometric-based review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31(18), pp. 26432–26451. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32931-9
Li, Y., 2026.Microwave-Assisted Anaerobic Digestion of Waste- Activated Sludge: A Modelling and AI Framework for Enhanced Biogas Recovery (Doctoral dissertation, University College London).
Li, Y., Campos, L.C. and Hu, Y. (2024). Kinetic enhancements in anaerobic digestion for biogas production: The effect of microwave pretreatment. In: Proceedings of the 9th World Congress on Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering, London, UK, 14–16 April 2024, Paper ICEPTP 154. https://doi.org/10.11159/iceptp24.154
