My research interests include (in no particular order): Automotive Systems and Electronics, Condition Monitoring, High Voltage Theory and Applications, Power Systems, Analogue and Power Electronics (Including Magnetic Materials and Effects), Intelligent Systems, Internal Combustion Engines, Sensors and Transducers, Sustainability of Energy and Water Resources.

Contact:

Dr Simon Walters

Division of Engineering
School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics
Room 511, Cockcroft Building
Moulsecoomb
Brighton
BN2 4GJ

Telephone: +44 (0)1273 642233 (Please use email in the first instance).
Email: S.D.Walters@brighton.ac.uk

I am a Reader in Power Engineering, specialising in Electrical Engineering, within the School of Architecture Technology and Engineering. Since 2021, I have been Subject Group Leader of Engineering (Energy Conversion). Since 2016, I have been the Year Leader for MEng Year 4 (Level 7 – Final Year) Since 2015, I have been a member of the Advanced Engineering Centre.

How I like to teach

I like to teach theory and practice of multidisciplinary engineering fields supplementing the university experience, where possible, with industrial visits.

I use past exam questions and coursework, with relevance to real-world problems, to retain the interest of students and to try to ensure they have good prospects on leaving the University.

Since I am research-active, I try to incorporate my research and other real-world experience into my teaching. 

Currently, in addition to supervision of: Research, Placements and Projects, I teach modules in:

• Level 7 MEng Major Team Project (Module Leader)
• Level 6 High Voltage Power, Distribution and Utilisation (Module Leader)
• Level 6 Industrial Placement
• Level 5 Electrical Engineering 2 (Module Leader)
• Level 4 Introduction to Electrical Engineering
• Level 4 Engineering Practice
• Level 0 Foundation Year Project

I have also taught successfully:

• Level 6 Electronics (Power Electronics)
• Level 6 Individual (Final Year) Project – All Engineering Disciplines (As Module Leader / Co-ordinator as well as Supervisor and Internal Examiner)
• Level 5 Automotive Instrumentation and Testing (Module Leader)
• Level 5 Analogue Electronics and Communications (Module Leader)
• Level 4 Analogue Electronics (Module Leader)

My work is cross-disciplinary, spanning electrical, electronic, automotive and computer engineering fields. At any one time, I try to maintain a blend of teaching, research and economic engagement activities. 

I’m interested in research supervision in: electrical, electronic, automotive, mechanical and aeronautical engineering, including computer science - intelligent systems applications. I have particular interest in: power and high voltage systems, power electronics, intelligent systems - neural networks and fuzzy logic.

PhD Students:

I studied HND Electronic Systems Engineering at Kingston Polytechnic between 1986 and 1988 before working in the field of electronic security systems for a further two years.

From 1990 to 1993, I studied MEng and BEng(Hons.) Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Brighton Polytechnic and subsequently the University of Brighton.

On completion, my project supervisor offered me the chance to study for a PhD. From 1993 to 1998, I studied the application of intelligent systems, mathematical modelling and high voltage techniques to the solution of automotive electronics related problems; specifically, online testing of spark plugs and modelling of ignition systems and sparks. Toward the end of this period, I was offered a Research Officer position involving the application of intelligent systems to automotive engine diagnostic problems.

I continued research in the same field with occasional forays into other related subjects. On completion of my PhD I was made a Research Fellow, and in 2001 a Senior Research Fellow. In 2010, in recognition of my substantially increased teaching role, I was made a Senior Lecturer. The addition of substantial Administration to the Teaching and Research resulted in a change to Principal Lecturer in 2014. In 2022, I was promoted to the position of 'Reader of Power Engineering'. Over the period of 1990 to 2022, the name of my ‘home’ department has changed about five times, too.

I teach mostly electrical and electronic engineering subjects, with an emphasis on Power Engineering. I also teach subjects which combine electrical/electronic engineering and mechanical engineering. Between 2013 and 2016, I was Course Leader of Automotive Undergraduate Degrees. Between 2016-2018, I was the Co-ordinator (Module Leader) of the Engineering Final Year Projects for all disciplines of the MEng/BEng Honours degrees. Between 2016-2023 I was Year Leader for Level 7 (MEng Year 4) Engineering Courses; since 2023, this ongoing Course Leader support role has become Cohort Leader. Between 2021-2023 I was Co-Academic Subject Group Leader of Engineering.

I have supervised two PhDs and one MPhil to successful completion, and been Internal Examiner for four successful PhD examinations at University of Brighton. 

Predominantly, my research was supported by Interreg up until 2012. Subsequently, I have received KTP, consultancy and School funding.

I received a prize “Outstanding Contribution to the MBA Programme”, at University of Brighton, 2003. I also hold one patent.

I have worked in a variety of roles - including Project Leader - on several KTP projects.

Current research projects

• KTP Project (Details TBA) with BHC, Sandwich. (2022-2025).
• RISE Project - Eluxevo Ltd. (2022).
• InnovateUK Project - Eluxevo Ltd. (2022-2023).

• Several University-Industry partnerships connected with MEng Major Team Projects which I jointly supervise (typically concerning energy or resource-saving devices/systems).

 Previous research projects

• Contract work for Johnson Matthey (2014-2016), and a number of other companies

• KTP Project (developing a new type of power supply) with Hitek Power, Littlehampton (2014-2016)

• SEEDA Innovation Voucher Scheme with South Downs Solar Ltd. (2011)

• KTP Project with Powerlase Ltd., Crawley (2003-2005)

• INTERREG IV Project: “Pantograph-Catenary Interaction Framework for Active Control - PACIFIC” (2009-2012)

• INTERREG IV Project: “Cross-channel Centre for Low-carbon Combustion – C5” (2009-2012)

• INTERREG III Project: “Intelligent Vehicle On-board Systems” (2005-2008)

• INTERREG III Project: “The Intelligent Engine II” (2003-2004)

• INTERREG II Project: “Intelligent Engine” (2000-2002)

• INTERREG II Project: “Transfrontier Centre for Automotive Research”, (1998-2000)

• Framework IV EU research project “The JMA Diesel Aero-engine” (2000-2002)

I have completed contract work for Johnson Matthey and a number of other companies.