This book reviews the recent advances in hydrothermal conversion of biomass into chemicals and fuels, and consists of 15 chapters. It introduces the properties of high-temperature water, the merits of hydrothermal conversion of biomass, and some novel hydrothermal conversion processes, mainly including hydrothermal production of value-added products, hydrothermal gasification, hydrothermal liquefaction and hydrothermal carbonization. This book introduces a new concept for counteracting the imbalance in the carbon cycle, which is caused by the rapid consumption of fossil fuels in anthropogenic activities in combination with the slow formation of fossil fuels. Accordingly, the book is useful in conveying a fundamental understanding of hydrothermal conversion of biomass in the carbon cycle so that a contribution can be made to achieving sustainable energy and environment. It is also interesting to a wide readership in various fields including chemical, geologic and environmental science andengineering.

Fangming Jin is a Distinguished Professor at the School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China

Fangming Jin is a distinguished professor at the School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. She received her Ph.D. from Tohoku University, Japan. She was an associate professor at Tohoku University before returning to China in 2007. She became a professor at Tongji University and a chair professor sponsored by Chang-Jiang Scholar Program (administered by Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China) in 2007. In 2010, she moved to Tohoku University as a professor, and then in July 2011, she moved to Shanghai Jiao Tong University and received the honor of “Recruitment Program of Global Experts” in Shanghai. Her research focuses on the application of hydrothermal reactions for the conversion of biomass and carbon dioxide into fuels and chemicals, with the aim of exploring a potentially useful technology to improve the carbon cycle by mimicking nature. She has authored more than 200 research articles and book chapters and holds more than 20 patents. Prof. Jin is also a visiting professor at Tohoku University and a fellow of the Graduate School of Environmental Studies at Tohoku University.