Postgraduate research

Engineering

Aerospace

Essam Abo-Serie

  • Topology optimisation of cooling channels in high pressure die casting tools

Dr Svetlana Aleksandrova

  • Swirling flows in industrial applications (modelling and experimental studies) - e.g. in combustion, turbomachinery or aftertretament systems
  • Development and experimental validation of modelling techniques for gas/fluid flows in monolithic structures (automotive through-wall filters, heat exchangers, catalysts)

Dr Audrius Bagdanavicius

  • Thermomechanical energy storage systems
  • Combined energy networks
  • Development of exergy and exergoeconomic analysis methods

Dr Benjamin Bugeat

  • Stability and transition to turbulence
  • Numerical and theoretical linear models for fluid dynamics
  • Stratified flows & supercritical fluids 

Dr Yuan Gao

  • Point merge system for the air-traffic management of airport arrivals using multi-agent simulation and artificial intelligence, both centralized and decentralized control should be developed. 
  • Reinforcement learning-based and safety-constrained multi-UAV communications and cooperation. 
  • Trajectory optimization of autonomous air vehicles in a cluttered environment. 

Dr Ali Haghiri

  • Clean/Ultra-low-emission Power & Propulsion using Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Aerodynamics & Aeroacoustics using Computational Fluid Dynamic
  • Data-driven Turbulence Modelling using Machine Learning Techniques

Dr Nadjim Horri

  • Path planning and replanning and adaptive path following for mobile robots or autonomous vehicles  in challenging environments
  • Motion, disturbance or fault estimation using sensor fusion for disturbance rejection control or fault tolerant control of mobile robots or autonomous vehicles
  • Collaborative guidance, navigation and control of formations of mobile robots or autonomous vehicles   

Dr Zahir Hussain

  • Hydrodynamic stability and transition to turbulence of boundary layer flows
  • Aerodynamic flow control and drag reduction
  • Computational and data-driven methods for fluid stability analysis  

Dr Khaled Laib

  •  Control and robustness analysis for large-scale networks with uncertainties.
  •  Nonlinear systems analysis using Lyapunov methods, IQCs, and LPV techniques.
  •  Efficient analysis and synthesis using convex optimisation and LMIs for various applications. 

Dr Tosha Nembhard

  • Aerospace Thermal Management systems 
  • Additive Manufacturing applied in Aircraft Systems Design 
  • Inclusive Engineering 

Dr Emmanuel Prempain

  • Robust and Nonlinear Control
  • Optimisation and Optimal Control
  • Aerospace and Autonomous Systems Control Applications

Dr Aldo Rona

  • Computational Fluid Dynamics and aeroacoustics of Jets and Flow Cavities
  • Gas dynamics and supersonic aerodynamics
  • Turbomachinery and gas turbine aerodynamics

Dr Bo Tian

  • Sustainable biofuels, including biodiesels (methyl esters) and bio aviation fuels (biojet).
  • Laser-based diagnostic techniques in fluids, including PIV, LII, laser extinction and LDA.
  • Soot formation and emission from combustion.

Dr Xuefang Wang

  • Safety-critical control for autonomous systems (i.e., ground vehicles, aerial vehicles)  in unknown and   uncertain environments
  • Safety-critical control of collaborative robots. Human-in-the-loop may be considered
  • Decision-making for autonomuos vehicles. May consider using Anylogic simulation platform

Dr Yang Xiao

  • Systematic design, optimization and control of high power density electrical propulsion systems for electrified transporation with data-driven approaches.
  • Aero and fluid design of ultra-high speed electrical drives.

Dr Jinning Zhang

  • Aircraft propulsion (electric/hydrogen) multidisciplinary design optimisation
  • Aircraft propulsion(electric/hydrogen) intelligent energy management, health management, and integrated control
  • Aviation-energy nexus: airport energy infrastructure capacity planning and coordinated operation

Dr Tao Zhang

  • Computational Fluid Dynamics for rotarywing, rotorcraft, future flight vehicles, and wind/tidal turbines
  • Data-/gradient enhanced optimisation methods for aviation and green energy 
  • Computational Aero-acoustics (noise) for future flight, environment, and green energy

Biomedical Engineering

Essam Abo-Serie

  • CFD analysis of air distribution for effective ventilation in public and hospital buildings
  • Fuid flow analysis using optical and laser techniques, and CFD for various applications
  • Desing of biomechanical fluid devices ( Heart assist mechanical devices)

Svetlana Aleksandrova

  • Modelling and optimising drug delivery to human lungs
  • Modelling effect of pollution on healthy and diseased human lungs

Dr Emine Celiker

  • Modelling auditory processes using insects as model systems
  • Modelling auditory processes governing human hearing system (ear)
  • In silico investigation of vesicle and red blood cell membrane mechanics

Dr Ali Haghiri

  • Data-Driven Surrogate Models for Cardiovascular Flow Simulation using Computational Fluid Dynamics and Deep Learning
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics and AI-Based Optimisation of Aerosol Drug Delivery in Human Lungs

Dr Zahir Hussain

  • Simulation and flow control of airborne pathogens 
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics modelling and optimisation of biological fluid flows
  • Novel flow control devices in haemodynamics, angioplasty and stenting

Dr Himanshu Kaul

  • Patient-specific computational modelling
  • Computational models to understand how mechanical properties of biomaterials impact cell fate
  • Develop a tool to control behaviour of human cell via electrical signals

Dr Xin Li

  • Digital signal processing and ECG analysis for atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmia risk assessment, machine Learning and AI to Enhance Diagnostics and Predictive Analytics in Cardiology.
  • Intelligent algorithms and advanced techniques to improve catheter ablation targeting in persistent atrial fibrillation. Body surface potential mapping.
  • Wearable medical devices and remote monitoring systems, VR

Emmanuel Prempain

  • Modelling of Biological Systems. Large scale systems. Interconnected Systems  
  • System Identification and Analysis  
  • Feedback Design for Biological Systems

Aldo Rona

  • Computational Fluid Dynamics for the cardiovascular and the respiratory systems

Jenny Shepherd

  • Production of biomimetically inspired structures for tissue regeneration, drug delivery and drug discovery
  • Advanced Nanocomposite coatings for bone regeneration
  • Structure-function relations of biomaterials

Manuela Trejo

  • Footwear biomechanics: shoe-surface interaction and its effects in injury risk and sport performance
  • Wearable embedded systems for health monitoring
  • Hand biomechanics & dexterity strategies

Professor Haitao Ye

  • PVD thin films and coatings for thermoelectric device applications for energy harvesting
  • Surface functionalised diamond coatings for antimicrobial application in Space
  • Diamond based wide-bandgap semiconductors and power devices

Digital Manufacturing and Management

Dr Victor Cedeno

  • Design, validation and development of mechatronic and robotic systems
  • Design, validation and development of cyberphysical systems
  • Design, validation and development of Industry 4.0 and automation systems

Professor Hongbiao Dong

  • Processing of aerospace materials, including Ni-base superalloys, high performance steels
  • Digital manufacturing
  • Machine learning for process engineering

Imran Patel

  • Utilisation of smart materials for energy harvesting
  • Implementation of quality management and techniques within the automotive industry
  • Digital manufacturing and related tools for product design and development

Dr Shiladitya Paul

  • Corrosion and corrosion mitigation, cathodic protection, coatings and thin film
  • Electrochemical Additive Manufacturing (e-AM), recycling, electrolysers, hydrogen diffusion 
  • Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), Catalyst for electroreduction of CO2, New materials 

Aldo Rona

  • Additive manufacturing by metal poweder cold spray

Green Energy and Transportation

Dr Essam Abo-Serie

  • Optimisation of micro augmented wind turbine (wind focus technique) for low wind speed applications
  • Simulation and analysis of water splash and breakup behind lorries during heavy rain

Dr Yuan Gao

  • Artificial intelligence-based design of motor drive or power electronic systems
  • Advanced intelligent control and maintenance for electrical power systems onboard all transportation platforms
  • Communications and cooperation between robots / autonomous systems

Dr Bing Ji

  • Vehicle-ready Power Electronics Prognostics  and Health Monitoring (PHM)
  • Power Semiconductor Package Design for Improved Robustness, Reliability and Resilience (3R)
  • Intelligent Power Modules (IPM2.0) for Electrified Aerospace

Dr Mostefa Kermadi

  • Energy Conversion Systems for Transportation Electrification
  • Grid Integration of Renewable Energy Sources 
  • Optimal Power Processing for Grid-connected and Vehicle-to-Grid Inverters

Professor Ljiljana Marjanovic-Halburd

  • Developing the framework for commercial building refurbishing that will be using circular economy principles to minimise overall buidling life cycle carbon footprint while maximising energy efficiency and themral comfort
  • Develping simplified models for predicting energy consumption in office building depending on different indoor space configuration (open pl vs individual office) taking into account flexible working and aging worforce

Dr Agostino Maurotto

  • Dry or cryogenic manufacturing strategies to enable green manufacturing
  • Advanced materials to enable fusion based energy generation

Shiladitya Paul

  • Recycling, electrolysers, hydrogen diffusion, catalysts for hydrogen generation from seawater
  • Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), Catalyst for electroreduction of CO2

Dr Aldo Rona 

  • Modelling nanofluid cooled computer core heat sinks
  • Endwall treatment for axial compressors and turbines for efficient power generation

Dr Harold Ruiz

  • Electrical Machines Design and Optimization, inlcueding cables perfomance and electromagnetic imaging.
  • Renewable energies (solar, wind, fusion): Machine design, optimization, control systems, and project deployment.
  • Advanced Superconducting Materials for Green Energy and Transportation."

Dr Yang Xiao

  • Data-driven and physics-informed artificial intelligence technology for the design, control and opeartion of electrical power/propulsuon systems
  • Advanced electrical machine design and control for electrified transportation: electric aircrafts, EVOLTS, & electrical Vehicles
  • Design, manufacturing, and control techniques of ultra-high speed electrical machine systems in energy storage, domestic appliance, and aerospace applications

Dr Jinning Zhang

  • Transport and energy systems integration, interdependency, and coordinated management
  • Multi-microgrid system energy management, topology reconfiguration, resilience enhancement

Dr Tao Zhang

  • Computational Fluid Dynamics for rotarywing, rotorcraft, future flight vehicles, and wind/tidal turbines
  • Data-/gradient enhanced optimisation methods for aviation and green energy 
  • Computational Aero-acoustics (noise) for future flight, environment, and green energy

Mechanics of Materials

Dr Mohammed Azeem

  • Materials for extreme environments such as those observed in wind turbines, maritime sector and hydrocarbon-free engines. 
  • Ultralight materials and novel functional designs for space applications, such as high precision space telescopes and space vehicles.
  • Functional surfaces for high performance automobiles, energy, maritime, bio applications and space sector. 

Dr Gebril El-Fallah

  • Designs advanced alloys for energy-efficient automotive, fusion, and aerospace applications.
  • Applies thermodynamics, kinetics, and modelling to structural materials like steel, superalloys, and titanium.
  • Using characterisation techniques and machine learning to optimise material properties and performance.

Dr Elsiddig Elmukashfi

  • Multiscale and multiphysics modelling of materials for range of conditions and materials.
  • Full scale measurements and correlative microscopy of deformation and damage in the macro and microscales.
  • Microstucture informed modelling of deformation and damage of materials.

Dr Simon Gill

  • Lifetime prediction of structural materials in corrosive environments at high temperatures and stresses.
  • Modelling geophysical processes for fault activation and carbon sequestration
  • Mechanical modelling of biophysical processes, especially related to the mechanics of the human lung

Dr. Yang Liu

  • Micro-mechanical modelling of crystalline materials for energy and aero Industries
  • Understanding microscale plasticity by integrating latest experimental and modelling methods
  • Surrogate model development to predict transient microscale mechanics and multi-scale properties

Dr Agostino Maurotto

  • Surface integrity and residual stress of advanced or refractory materials
  • Machinability and machining abuse in challenging alloys (including hybrid machining)
  • High temperature corrosion of steels in molten media (lead, molten salts)  

Shiladitya Paul

  • Design of New Alloys
  • Metallic and Ceramic Coatings
  • Surface Engineering for Corrosion Mitigation

Dr Harold Ruiz

  • Functional Materials with electromagnetic applications such as magnetic shielding and cloaking
  • High Temperature Superconducting Materials for Coated Conductors
  • Material properties of Superconducting and Ferromagnetic metastructures

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