HFUT was granted with the Research Fund for International Young Scientists among the 54 programs, according to NSFC (National Natural Science Foundation of China). It is planned that Dr. Karl D Dearn from University of Birmingham will launch the study on Investigating the Lubrication Mechanisms and Mitigation Methods against Corrosive Wear of Bio-Fuels in the Fuel Injection Equipment with Grant No. 51450110436 together with HFUT.

Dr. Karl D Dearn is now working at Future Engines and Fuels Laboratory at the University of Birmingham's Department of Mechanical Engineering and has been cooperating with the research group of Professor Hu Xianguo, School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering for many years. The funded program was based on the long-standing cooperation of two sides, integrating each other’s strength in bio-fuels and mechanism and control of the friction and wear.

The NSFC Research Fund for International Young Scientists was launch in 2009 to attract excellent international youths to engage in basic studies in China, thereby upgrading the scientific research standards of Chinese research institutions. A group of international young scientists from over 40 countries including the United States, Britain, France and Italy were funded in 2014. They will soon embark on their academic researches and cooperation with first-tier universities like Tsinghua University and Beijing University in China.

List of funded programs:http://www.nsfc.gov.cn/publish/portal0/tab38/info47666.htm

Introduction of Future Engines & Fuels Lab:http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/mechanical-engineering/vehicle-technology/future-power/future-engines.aspx