Staff profile

Professor Wu is a Chair in Engineering Science. She received her PhD in Engineering Science from University of Oxford. Her background and current research is multidisciplinary. She was awarded both a DPhil (Biomaterials) and a Master in Computer Science (Parallel Computing) by the University of Oxford before becoming became a Career Development Fellow in the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford. 

Since joining Durham, she has held and is currently holding various research fundings and awards as Principal Investigator (e.g. Rosetrees Interdisciplinary Award and a Royal Academy of Engineering Global Research Award) in Biomaterials, Mathematical Modelling, Tissue engineering, Biomechaincs and Biotribology. Her main research interest is in structure, function, process and modelling of natural, synthetic and biomimetic materials for biomedical and environmental applications. 

She firmly believes in promoting a research-led interdisciplinary learning environment and is keen in designing education programme that integrates education, research and enterprise. 

Research Projects

Rosetrees Interdisciplinary Award (runner-up) for Bioengineered Lenses

EPSRC Funding on Novel Diagnostic Tool for Tissue Damage (total £1.28 million)

Leverhulme Grant on Lens Modelling

National Osteoporosis Society Funding on Hip Fracture

Medical Research Council Strategic Award on Biomaterials

Royal Academy of Engineering Funding on Tissue Engineering

EPSRC Funding on Novel Approaches for Improving UHMWPE Wear and Fatigue Properties in Knee Joints

EPSRC Funding on Adsorption and Adhesion on Semi-Crystalline Polymers

Technology Strategy Board Funding on Novel Hip 

Biomet Funding on Next Generation Joints

Morgan Advanced Ceramics Funding on Orthopaedic Arthroplasty

Biomet Funding on Structural and Biotribological Investigations of Ceramic-on-Ceramic Hip Joints

EPSRC and Biomet Funding on Structural and Biotribological Investigations of Ceramic-on-Metal Hip Joints

PhD Projects available

Project 1 A Fully Funded PhD Scholarship in Bioengineering

Fully funded PhD scholarship (UKRC Home rate) is available as part of an exciting multidisciplinary project embracing biosciences, physics and engineering and aiming to combat blindness and human ocular diseases. 

The human eye is a complex organ of vital importance for everyday life. A wide range of biomaterials are used to fabricate ocular devices to correct functional deficiencies caused by disease and ageing. The exciting project will build upon Rosetrees Trust Interdisciplinary award. Rosetrees Trust supports the highest level of biomedical research. This is an excellent opportunity to work with highly interdisciplinary team to advance biomedical research.

The fully funded scholarship is available immediately. Applications from existing graduates and those graduating this summer are welcome.

Project 2 Electrospinning and Electrospun Nanofibres

Project 3 Improving Energy Efficiency in a Modern Water Factory

The combination of a water reclamation plant (such as NEW Water plants) with seawater desalination are being considered in many large developing mega cities around the world. Away from coasts water recycle will become even more important. We have developed a novel hybrid process that needs to be evaluated alongside other process schemes for various water usage scenarios. The process design algorithms available include our recently published methodology for the sizing of forward osmosis plants. This project has international and industrial technical support.

Project 4 Sustainable energy: Potential in Osmotic Power

Just as the separation of salty water into fresh water and a brine requires energy so the mixing of a brine and fresh water can (if it is done in a controlled manner) produce energy. Originally proposed in a Science paper around 50 years ago, there has been much research into osmotic power (variously called pressure retarded osmosis or generically “Blue Energy”). Now that membranes have been tailored for this application and greatly improved the limits to performance are no longer governed by the membrane properties alone. The project will develop a performance envelope based upon various combinations of membrane properties and system hydrodynamics.

 Project 5 Improving Energy Efficiency of Aerobic Digestion

Successful operation of Aerobic Digestion in cold weather is challenging. We have discussed a novel approach with the water industry and the research question is: can our approach boost the growth rate of the microbial biomass? 

Project 6 Solar Driven, Gravity Driven and Other ‘Low Energy’ Potable Water Treatment Processes

Drinking water is scarce in many parts of the world were solar energy is plentiful. The project boundary is such as to exclude those processes with a relatively high demand of electrical power. Many processes have been labelled as “emerging processes” for the last decade. After an initial survey three processes from different areas will be evaluate to determine if any have break through potential.

Project 7 Potable Water Treatment Using Direct Flow Membrane Modules: Design of Hollow Fibre Modules

Membranes are now a huge part of the water market, especially since the advent of the Direct Flow modules that uses far less energy than crossflow modules. These are hollow fibre modules with about 10 000 fibres per module. We have developed a model for side take-off that successful captures industrial practice. Other variants are being developed. Now as non-uniform distribution of fibres is intrinsic to the manufacturing process research on the effect of non-uniformity should now be included. We are progressing this work with industrial technical support.

Project 8 Potable Water Treatment Using Direct Flow Membrane Modules: Influence of Cleaning Chemicals Upon Fibre Integrity.

Successful operation of the Direct Flow format is dependent upon the inclusion of periodic backwashes including chemically enhanced backwashes. As the latter may be a few times per day the membranes are exposed regularly to oxidising chemicals. We have piloted a technique for performing accelerated tests and obtained excellent preliminary results. This project has industrial technical support. 

• Advanced Materials for Bioengineering and Environmental Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Mathematical Modeling

Conference Paper

• Lal, S., & Wu, J. (2015). Effect of Knee, Ankle and Hip Joint Replacements on Vitamin E Infused Highly Crosslinked UHMWPE Wear Particles Size, Shape and Morphologies Using a New Modified Base Digestion Method. In Proceedings of the 7th International UHMWPE Meeting. Philadelphia, PA, USA. October 22 and 23, 2015
• Quinlan, R., Wu, J., Wu, W., Saunter, C., & Girkin, J. (2015). A mathematical model of the eye lens epithelium of mammals that predicts cell density profiles in the ageing lens.
• Wu, J., Andrews, R., Quinlan, R., & Tholozan, F. (2014). Do structural alterations mediated by enzymatic activities influence the mechanical properties of capsular biomembranes?. In Proceedings of 10th International Congress on Membranes and Membrane Processes
• Giddings, D., Wu, J., Mak, S., & Khan, I. (2011). Prosim Simulator Wear Study of 60mm Diameter Zirconia Toughened Alumina Composite Hip Bearings: The Effect of High Cup Inclination Angle and Microseparation. In P. Cann, & D. Dini (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on BioTribology ICoBT 2011, Imperial College London
• Wu, J., Wang, Q., Simpson, D., & Collins, S. (2011). Biotribological and Structural Analyses of Large Diameter Ceramic on Carbon Fibre Reinforced PEEK Hip Joints with Different Inclination. In P. M. Cann, & D. Dini (Eds.), Proceedings of International Conference on BioTribology 2011, Imperial College London
• 1st-3rd November 2011, Royal College of Surgeons, London, UK
• Wang, Q., Wu, J., Simpson, D., Collins, S., Briscoe, B., & Jarman-Smith, M. (2011). Biotribology of 40mm Diameter MOTIS PEEK on Ceramic Hip Joints: A Detailed Simulator Study with Different Inclination Angles. In Proceedings of the 24th Annual Congress of ISTA. concert Building, Bruges (Brugge), Belgium, europe 20-23 September, 2011
• Wang, Q., & Wu, J. (2009). Numerical Prediction on Mechanical Contacts Vanguard Knee Joint replacements Tested in the Displacement-Controlled Prosim Simulator. In Proceedings of IMeChE Knee Arthroplasty: From Early Intervention to Revision, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, 30 April 2009 - 02 May 2009 (289-292)
• Wu, J. J., Stanley, M., & Khan, I. (2009). Biotribological and Structural Characterisations of Total Knee Replacements: A Prosim Knee Simulator Study. In Proceedings of IMeChE Knee Arthroplasty: From Early Intervention to Revision (89-94)
• Williams, S., Wu, J., Unsworth, A., & Khan, I. (2008). Wear friction and surface analysis of 38mm ceramic-on-metal total hip replacements. In Proceedings of the 21st Annual Congress of the International Society of Technology in Arthroplasty
• Tholozan, F., Goldberg, M., Przyborski, S., Wu, J., & Quinlan, R. (2008). Bovine Lens Capsule-derived 3D matrices: Significance to the Maintenance of Lens Epthelial Cell Phenotype in in vitro Culture Models. In ARVO 2008 Annual Meeting Eyes on Innovation
• Buckley, C., & Wu, J. (2003). Anisotropic plastic deformation of glassy polymers with process-induced molecular orientation.
• Wu, J., & Buckley, C. (2003). The role of molecular parameters in the plastic deformation of glassy polystyrene. In 12th International Conference on Deformation Yield and Fracture of Polymers: 7 - 10 April 2003, Churchill College, Cambridge, UK
• Wu, J., & Buckley, C. (2002). Deformation modelling of glassy polymers incorporating structural change.
• Wu, J., Buckley, C., & O'Connor, J. (2000). Interparticle Bonding in Ultra-high Molecular Weight Polyethylene and its Control via Process Parameters. In A. Duckett (Ed.), Proceedings of 11th International Conference on Deformation Yield and Fracture of Polymers: 10-13 April 2000, Cambridge, UK

Journal Article

• Wang, Y., & Wu, J. J. (2023). Thermochemical conversion of biomass: Potential future prospects. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 187, 113754. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.113754
• Datta, H. K., Kringen, M. K., Tuck, S. P., Salpingidou, G., Olstad, O. K., Gautvik, K. M., …Reppe, S. (2022). Mechanical-Stress-Related Epigenetic Regulation of ZIC1 Transcription Factor in the Etiology of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(6), Article 2957. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23062957
• Field, R. W., & Wu, J. J. (2022). Permeate Flux in Ultrafiltration Processes—Understandings and Misunderstandings. Membranes, 12(2), Article 187. https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12020187
• Wu, X., Fang, F., Zhang, B., Wu, J. J., & Zhang, K. (2022). Biogenic silver nanoparticles-modified forward osmosis membranes with mitigated internal concentration polarization and enhanced antibacterial properties. npj Clean Water, 5, Article 41. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-022-00190-1
• Bucknall, C., Altstädt, V., Auhl, D., Buckley, P., Dijkstra, D., Galeski, A., …Wu, J. J. (2020). Structure, processing and performance of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (IUPAC Technical Report). Part 3: deformation, wear and fracture. Pure and Applied Chemistry, 92(9), 1503-1519. https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2019-0406
• Bucknall, C., Altstädt, V., Auhl, D., Buckley, P., Dijkstra, D., Galeski, A., …Wu, J. J. (2020). Structure, processing and performance of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (IUPAC Technical Report). Part 4: sporadic fatigue crack propagation. Pure and Applied Chemistry, 92(9), 1521-1536. https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2019-0408
• Bucknall, C., Altstädt, V., Auhl, D., Buckley, P., Dijkstra, D., Galeski, A., …Wu, J. J. (2020). Structure, processing and performance of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (IUPAC Technical Report). Part 2: crystallinity and supra molecular structure. Pure and Applied Chemistry, 92(9), 1485-1501. https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2019-0403
• Bucknall, C., Altstädt, V., Auhl, D., Buckley, P., Dijkstra, D., Galeski, A., …Wu, J. J. (2020). Structure, processing and performance of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (IUPAC Technical Report). Part 1: characterizing molecular weight. Pure and Applied Chemistry, 92(9), 1469-1483. https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2019-0405
• Wu, J. J., & Field, R. W. (2019). On the understanding and feasibility of “Breakthrough” Osmosis. Scientific Reports, 9(1), Article 16464. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-53417-6
• Wu, J. J. (2019). On the application of the Spiegler-Kedem model to forward osmosis. BMC chemical engineering, 1, Article 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42480-019-0014-8
• Field, R., Siddiqui, F., Ang, P., & Wu, J. (2018). Analysis of the influence of module construction upon forward osmosis performance. Desalination, 431, 151-156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2017.09.003
• Mondal, S., Field, R., & Wu, J. (2017). Novel Approach for Sizing Forward Osmosis Membrane Systems. Journal of Membrane Science, 541, 321-328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2017.07.019
• Hanusch, B., Tuck, S., McNally, R., Wu, J., Datta, H., & Francis, R. (2017). Does regional loss of bone density explain low trauma distal forearm fractures in men (The Mr F study)?. Osteoporosis International, 28(10), 2877-2886. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-017-4122-0
• Wu, X., Field, R., Wu, J., & Zhang, K. (2017). Polyvinylpyrrolidone modified graphene oxide as a modifer for thin film composite forward osmosis membranes. Journal of Membrane Science, 540, 251-260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2017.06.070
• Liu, S., Zhang, M., Fang, F., Cui, L., Wu, J., Field, R., & Zhang, K. (2016). Biogenic silver nanocomposite TFC nanofiltration membrane with antifouling properties. Desalination and Water Treatment, 57(23), 10560-10571. https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2015.1040854
• Liu, S., Fang, F., Wu, J., & Zhang, K. (2015). The anti-biofouling properties of thin-film composite nanofiltration membranes grafted with biogenic silver nanoparticles. Desalination, 375, 121-128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2015.08.007
• Brown, P., Talbot, E., Wood, T., Egan, M., Wu, J., Sainic, K., …Badyal, J. (2015). Controlling picolitre droplet impact dynamics by tailoring the solid subsurface. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 481, 215-221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2015.04.047
• Wu, J., Wu, W., Tholozan, F., Saunter, C., Girkin, J., & Quinlan, R. (2015). A dimensionless ordered pull-through model of the mammalian lens epithelium evidences scaling across species and explains the age-dependent changes in cell density in the human lens. Journal of the Royal Society. Interface, 12(108), https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2015.0391
• Alshryda, S., Mason, J., Sarda, P., Lou, T., Stanley, M., Wu, J., & Unsworth, A. (2015). The effect of tranexamic acid on artificial joint materials : a biomechanical study (the bioTRANX study). Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 16(1), 27-34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10195-014-0312-0
• Wu, W., Tholozan, F., Goldberg, M., Bowen, L., Wu, J., & Quinlan, R. (2014). A gradient of matrix-bound FGF-2 and perlecan is available to lens epithelial cells. Experimental Eye Research, 120, 10-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exer.2013.12.004
• Younis, S., Walker, J., Wu, J., Datta, H., & Tuck, S. (2014). ZIC1 and SOST immunohistochemistry staining of osteocytes and osteoblasts in femoral head tissue. Osteoporosis International, 25,
• Field, R., Wu, H., & Wu, J. (2013). Multiscale Modeling of Membrane Distillation: Some Theoretical Considerations. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 52(26), 8822-8828. https://doi.org/10.1021/ie302363e
• Field, R., & Wu, J. (2013). Mass transfer limitations. Desalination, 318, 118-124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2013.01.025
• Lal, S., Salpingidou, G., & Wu, J. (2013). Factors influencing wear particle size, morphology and cell viability
• Caldwell, S., Johnson, D., Didsbury, M., Murray, B., Wu, J., Przyborski, S., & Cameron, N. (2012). Degradable emulsion-templated scaffolds for tissue engineering from thiol– ene photopolymerisation. Soft Matter, 8(40), 10344-10351. https://doi.org/10.1039/c2sm26250a
• Wu, J. (2012). Is Vitamin E Stabilised UHMWPE the Future Material for TKA?. Orthopaedic proceedings, 94-B(SUPP XL),
• Douillard, T., Chevalier, J., Descamps-Mandine, A., Warner, I., Galais, Y., Whitaker, P., …Wang, Q. (2012). Comparative ageing behaviour of commercial, unworn and worn 3Y-TZP and zirconia-toughened alumina hip joint heads. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 32(8), 1529-1540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2012.01.003
• Wang, Q., Wu, J., Unsworth, A., Briscoe, A., Jarman-Smith, M., Lowry, C., …Collins, S. (2012). Biotribological study of large diameter ceramic-on-CFR-PEEK hip joint including fluid uptake, wear and frictional heating. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, 23(6), 1533-1542. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-012-4617-3
• Wu, J., Augustine, A., Holland, J., & Deehan, D. (2012). Oxidation and fusion defects synergistically accelerate polyethylene failure in knee replacement. The Knee, 19(2), 124-129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.knee.2011.01.004
• Field, R., & Wu, J. (2011). Modelling of permeability loss in membrane filtration: Re-examination of fundamental fouling equations and their link to critical flux. Desalination, 283, 68-74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2011.04.035
• Williams, S., Wu, J., Unsworth, A., & Khan, I. (2011). Wear and surface analysis of 38 mm ceramic-on-metal total hip replacements under standard and severe wear testing conditions. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine, 225(8), 783-796. https://doi.org/10.1177/0954411911404773
• Lovelady, E., Kimmins, S., Wu, J., & Cameron, N. (2011). Preparation of emulsion-templated porous polymers using thiol–ene and thiol–yne chemistry. Polymer Chemistry, 2(3), 559-562. https://doi.org/10.1039/c0py00374c
• Williams, S., Wu, J., Unsworth, A., & Khan, I. (2010). Wear, Friction and Surface Analysis of 38mm ceramic-on-metal total joint hip replacements. Orthopaedic proceedings, 92-B(SUPP I), 101-102
• Hutchings, L., Dodds, J., Rees, D., Kimani, S., Wu, J., & Smith, E. (2009). HyperMacs to HyperBlocks: A Novel Class of Branched Thermoplastic Elastomer. Macromolecules, 42(22), 8675-8687. https://doi.org/10.1021/ma901819f
• Williams, S., Wu, J., Unsworth, A., & Khan, I. (2009). Tribological and surface analysis of 38mm alumina–as-cast Co–Cr–Mo total hip arthroplasties. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine, 223(8), 941-954. https://doi.org/10.1243/09544119jeim590
• Reay, E., Wu, J., Holland, J., & Deehan, D. (2009). Premature failure of Kinemax Plus total knee replacements. Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume, 91-B(8), 604-611. https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620x.91b5.21525
• Datta, H., Wu, J., Tuck, S., & Walker, J. (2008). Emerging Evidence of Osteocytes as Mechanosensors and Regulators of Mineralisation. European musculoskeletal review, 3(2), 48-52
• Wu, J. (2006). Quantitative constitutive behaviour and viscoelastic properties of fresh flexor tendons. The International Journal of Artificial Organs, 29(9), 852-857. https://doi.org/10.5301/ijao.2008.646
• Haughie, D., Buckley, C., & Wu, J. (2006). The integrity of welded interfaces in ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene: Part 2 - Interface Toughness. Biomaterials, 27(21), 3875-3881. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2006.03.010
• Buckley, C., Wu, J., & Haughie, D. (2006). The integrity of welded interfaces in ultra high molecular weight polyethylene: Part 1 Model. Biomaterials, 27(17), 3178-3186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2006.01.030
• Wu, J., & Buckley, C. (2004). Plastic deformation of glassy polystyrene : a unified model of yield and the role of chain length. Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics, 42(11), 2027-2040. https://doi.org/10.1002/polb.20089
• Wu, J., Buckley, C., & O'Connor, J. (2002). Mechanical integrity of compression-moulded ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene : effects of varying process conditions. Biomaterials, 23(17), 3773-3783. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0142-9612%2802%2900117-5
• Wu, J., Buckley, C., & O'Connor, J. (2002). Processing of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene : modelling the decay of fusion defects. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 80(A5), 423-431. https://doi.org/10.1205/026387602320224003
• Wu, J., Buckley, C., & O'Connor, J. (2001). The origin of fusion defects in ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene for joint replacement prostheses. Journal of materials science letters (Dordrecht. Online), 20(5), 473-475. https://doi.org/10.1023/a%3A1010972401392

Patent

• Wu, J., Carnachan, R., & Przyborski, S. (2017). Tissue Structure Scaffolds
• O’Connor, J., Wu, J., & Buckley, C. (2006). Method of Compression Moulding of Polymer Powder
• Wu, J., Buckley, C., & O'Connor, J. (2004). Integrity of compression moulded UHMWPE components
• O’Connor, J., Wu, J., & Buckley, C. (2004). Method of Compression Moulding of Polymer Powder and Product Produced
• Wu, J., Buckley, C., & O'Connor, J. (1999). Compression Moulding