1983.09-1987.07：兰州大学化学系石油化学专业，学士
1987.09-1990.07：兰州大学化学系金属有机专业，硕士
1990.09-1993.06：中国科学院兰州化学物理研究所物理化学专业，博士
2005.06-2006.01：加拿大西安大略大学化学系，访问学者

1993.06-1999.08：华东交通大学基应用化学研究所大学化学系，工作，讲师—>教授，曾获“江西省优秀教师”、“江西省跨世纪学科带头人”、国务院特殊津贴等荣誉。
1999.08~现在：上海交通大学化学化工学院化工系精细化工研究所，教授（博导）。

（1）主持国家自然科学基金5项、参加863计划项目1项、完成中石油和中石化研发项目10余项、完成民营企业产品开发项目多项。
（2）完成了年产720吨无铅汽油抗爆剂MMT的产业化工程项目。
（3）成功开发了用于国V柴油的酯型高效抗磨剂产品。
（4）成功开发了超高水解稳定性环保型硼酸酯抗磨润滑添加剂。
（5）与中石化共建了“金属加工油液联合实验室”。

论文
1) Li, Yilin; Ren, Tianhui; Dong, Wen-Ji；Tuning photophysical properties of triphenylamine and aromatic cyano conjugate-based wavelength-shifting compounds by manipulating intramolecular charge transfer strength；JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY A-CHEMISTRY 251: 1-9，2013
2) Chen, Huan; Li, Jing; Ren, Tianhui; etc. Tribological behaviors of three novel imidazoline-type thiadiazole derivatives as multifunctional lubricant additives in biodegradable lithium grease；PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS PART J-JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING TRIBOLOGY 226 (J8): 668-677, 2012
3) Yan, Jincan; Bu, Junmin; Bai, Xuefeng; etc., The tribological study of novel phosphorous-nitrogen type phosphoramidate additives in rapeseed oil; PROCEEDINGS OF THE INSTITUTION OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS PART J-JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING TRIBOLOGY , 226(J5):377-388, 2012
4) Wu, Hua; Wang, Yong-Gang; Ren, Tian-Hui, The tribological properties and action mechanism of non-active organic molybdate ester and its combination with ZDDP; TRIBOLOGY INTERNATIONAL 49: 90-95, 2012
5) Li, Yilin; Scudiero, Louis; Ren, Tianhui; etc. Synthesis and characterizations of benzothiadiazole-based fluorophores as potential wavelength-shifting materials; JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY A-CHEMISTRY 231(1): 51-59, 2012
6) Qiao Rui; Li Jing; Wu Hua; etc, The tribological chemistry of the triazine derivative additives in rape seed oil and synthetic diester, APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE, 257(9): 3843-3849, 2011.
7) Peng Lulu; Li Jianchang; Ren Tianhui; etc. The tribological behaviour of a novel triazine derivative and its combination with ZDDP as additive in mineral oil, INDUSTRIAL LUBRICATION AND TRIBOLOGY, 63(2-3): 216-221, 2011.
8) Hao Li-Feng; Li Jiu-Sheng; Xu Xiao-Hong; etc. Preparation and Tribological Properties of Surface-modified Borate Magnesium Nanoparticles, JOURNAL OF INORGANIC MATERIALS, 25(12): 1330-1334, 2010.
9) Li, J; Wu, H; Ren, TH, The Tribological Study of Novel Benzotriazolyl-Containing Anticorrosive Polysulfides in Rapeseed Oil, JOURNAL OF TRIBOLOGY-TRANSACTIONS OF THE ASME 131 (1): Art No. 011801 2009
10) Wu, H; Li, J; Ma, HB; Ren, TH, The tribological behaviours of dithiocarbamate-triazine derivatives as additives in mineral oil, SURFACE AND INTERFACE ANALYSIS 41 (3):151-156 2009