Who we are

My research interests are in the area of achieving energy efficiency in the Built Environment particularly applying low/zero carbon solutions. Recently, I have been working on developing advance vacuum insulation panels and evaluating their application in buildings components for improving energy efficiency. I also conduct research on the topics of building performance evaluation and energy and economic assessment of energy efficient building retrofit measures.

Murat's research interest relates to maritime and port management, freight transport, supply chain management, and decision-making. He is currently working on intermodal transport, autonomous ships, shipping digitalisation, shipping energy efficiency, and port sustainability.

Dr Steven Begg is a Reader in Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Advanced Engineering Centre (AEC) of Research Excellence at the University of Brighton. His research focuses on thermodynamics and fluid mechanics applied to future powertrains and wider engineering applications. His interests include:

1. Fluid mechanics of liquid sprays, particle-laden and two-phase flow systems.
2. Propulsion and transportation systems, alternative fuels, advanced cycles and energy systems, incorporating experimental and simulation methods.
3. Application and development of experimental laser and optical measurement techniques.

Dr Begg's work has been supported by Ricardo UK Ltd, 8 EPSRC grants, 3 DfT/DTI/TSB Vehicle Foresight grants, a European FP6 programme (SUSTDEV-2002-3.1.1.1.1) and 1 INTERREG IIIa and 2 INTERREG IVa projects. He has been involved as PI/CI in over 30 projects since 1995, including 15 significant consultancy contracts with large automotive OEM's and Formula 1 racing teams. 

Dr. Marco Bernagozzi is a Lecturer in Electric Vehicles with a research focus on smart thermal management. He is interested in the design and optimization of heat pipes, in particular loop heat pipes and pulsating heat pipes for efficient thermal management in electric vehicles, space applications and renewable energy systems. His research also involves exploring the potential of liquid air energy storage and molten salts for sustainable energy storage and production. Lately, he has been working on also on Personal Comfort System, aiming at tackling waste energy in HVAC in buildings.

My research interests include a range of subject areas including experimentation and numerical simulations in sports engineering, development of digital fabrication design tools, processes and machines, and the use of additive manufacturing to support medical device development.

My research and supervisory interests include all forms of renewable energy including wind, wave, tidal, hydro, solar and bioenergy.

I have also researched and supervised post graduate students studying their application and the associated equipment and infrastruture required to make the most effective use of renewable energy. These supervision areas include industrial processes, the hydrogen economy, fuel cells, energy storage, water and waste management and food production.

• optical techniques applied to flow measurement (LIF, PIV, High speed imaging, shadowgraphy, schlieren, etc.)
• internal combustion engines, particularly mixture formation
• Image processing
• Cyrogenics
• Flywheel for energy storage

My research interests lie in the following areas:

1)    Earth retaining structures

2)    Soil-structure interaction

3)   Onshore and offshore foundation systems

4)    Geotechnical centrifuge modelling

5)    Resilience of Geotechnical Infrastructure

I have worked exclusively in experimental fluid mechanics area ranging from supersonic flow velocities to subsonic flow regimes. I am interested in subjects related to missile aerodynamics, force prediction from quantitative flow visualization, flow over flapping wing micro air vehicles, flow-structure interactions, streamlined and bluff bodies in oscillation, wind turbine aerodynamics and flow over delta wings.

I am a Technical Team Member for NATO-AVT Panel Business Meetings since 2013 and recently in our task group we are studying large-amplitude gust mitigation strategies.

My current research interests are flapping wing aerodynamics with main focus on experimental realization of energy harvesting using flapping foils. In addition to fundamental research and development of flapping wing micro air vehicles, my former Master’s student and I have experimentally demonstrated that flapping foils can actually be used to harvest energy from surrounding flows. With our international collaborators, I am performing tests to design and develop a small scale renewable and sustainable oscillating-wing energy generator with anticipation to materialize an industrial product. 

5G Internet of Everything (IoE), Energy Harvesting in Electric Vehicles (EVs), Massive-MIMO Cooperative Networks for B5G, Interference Mitigation Algorithms for 6G using Machine Learning techniques, and AI/ML for Brain Computer Interface (BCI) and Mobile Health Analytics.

Active Research Themes

Dr Panesar’s research interests cover the theme of sustainable energy production, conversion and storage, with a strong focus on waste to power, thermal energy storage, high efficiency engines, sustainable fuels and life cycle assessment. At the systems level, this includes, heat to power technologies, fluid bottoming cycles, energy recovery expanders, working fluids, nano-particles, concentrated solar power plants, molten salt thermal batteries, compact heat exchangers, liquid air energy storage systems, NOx/HC emissions, heavy-duty and split cycle engines, carbon free fuels, ammonia/hydrogen/methane combustion, process integration, techno-economic evaluations, exergy analysis, hazard and operability studies, research methodology to improve technology readiness level, system wide modelling, optimisation, control and validation, and quantifying environmental impacts of a products, services and materials. He has investigated most of these research strands via simulation and experimental methods as part of knowledge transfers, industrial consultancies and research grants.

He is a member of the Advanced Engineering Centre and the Thermal Efficiency Spoke of the Advanced Propulsion Centre. His live industrial and university supported, doctoral research projects include,

(1) Combustion Chemistry for Optimisation of Advanced Propulsion Cycles with E-fuels - by Elisa Wylie

(2) Universal Life Cycle Emissions Tool Applied to Electric Vehicles in Automotive Sector - by Aleksandra Skalba

(3) Micro-Power Volumetric Machines as Energy Recovery Expanders in Two-Phase Conditions - by Ian Kemp

My research interests focus on experimental research in heat transfer and waste heat recovery. My previous research has investigated the miniaturisation of heat exchangers for developing technologies, ranging from clean energy to computer systems. My current work is looking at a possible method for storing green energy, a requirement for the large scale implementation of green energy supplies. I am also interested in technology which can be readily applied to current systems for the recovery of waste heat.  

My research focuses on quantifying deterioration in structures, and how this impacts on their performance. I develop models for the deterioration processes and incorporate the uncertainties associated with their future occurrences through stochastic modelling. Both laboratory experiments, as well as analytical/numerical modelling are used for this purpose. This leads to the prediction of remaining service life of deteriorating structural systems.  

My research also spans the structural health monitoring methods and its use for the maintenance management of infrastructure assets. The data obtained from the structural health monitoring systems helps to reduce uncertainty in the prediction of structural performance and improve the confidence in the prediction of service life of structures. This assists in development of decision making systems pertinent to the maintenance management of civil assets.

My main research interest is to develop efficient modelling approaches for sprays. To achieve this, I combine engineering with applied mathematics and advanced computing techniques. My expertise includes fluid flow, multiphase flows, heat and mass transfer.

Since joining the University of Brighton in 2013, my research has been focussed on modelling of droplet dynamics, droplet heating and evaporation. Other subjects I am interested in and have contributed to are related to multiphase physics: focusing of particles in subsonic and supersonic flows, flows with shock waves; the effect of droplets on heat transfer in supersonic boundary layers; geomechanical effects in oil reservoirs. In my research, I extensively use and develop new tools based on applied mathematics, Computer-Aided Engineering and programming.

Dr Khizer Saeed completed a DPhil in Engineering Sciences at the University of Oxford, and his research on Fundamental Combustion measurements as Felix Scholar of Sommerville College at Oxford. He continued his research at Oxford on University’s Radhakrishna Bequest on combustion fundamentals. He was awarded Royal society fellowship to develop in-cylinder diagnostics laser technique.  He was awarded academic visit by the international centre of theoretical physics (Italy) and MIT(USA) to research on combustion and explosion control.

Khizer’s research interest mostly concerns with developing novel systems in:

1. Robotics and Control ( Human-Robot interaction technique, autonomous robots, robots for healthcare and defence applications, industrial automation).
2. Diagnostic techniques (Spectroscopic, Laser, electron microscopy and sensors)
3. Clean Energy (hydrogen, biofuels, combustion and explosions control)
4. Nanoparticle synthesis (Dry pyrolysis, functional particles, morphologies)

Recently, Khizer has led the development of a new £1 million multidisciplinary Robotics, Control and Artificial intelligence (MOCAI) research laboratory at the University of Brighton. The state of art facilities in laboratory provides multidisciplinary research platform for developing long term, interaction and collaborative research. Khizer’s recent work include a £85000 consortium project with four other universities on the development of “A Trustworthy Robotic Autonomous system to support Casualty Triage: ATRACT” funded by EPSRC, a project on human-robot interactions, and BRITE project on developing sustainable energy systems for Africa. Khizer is known internationally for his research on explosion and its controls. He has developed novel experimental systems to diagnose, measure and control explosion under unvented and vented conditions. He has developed advance measurements and predictive systems to simulate and predicts the explosion characteristics of wide range of substances.  Khizer has developed advance bioenergy research laboratory at Brighton with facilities including full biofuels end quality measurements and assessment. Recent work includes the development of a near-infrared spectroscopy-based technique for the rapid assessment of the biodiesel degradation and development of future sustainable fuels.  He has supervised the projects on biofuels from sustainable sources such as algal oil and degradation of biodiesel fuels. Khizer has developed in-house capabilities to produce novel biofuels such as from algal oils, waste oils and synthetic fuels. He has worked closely with the UK biodiesel industry to develop sustainable fuels. Khizer has developed state of art dry pyrolysis-based nanoparticle synthesis system with in-house capabilities to continuously synthesize metal oxide (Titania, Iron) functional nanoparticles. He has developed a new spectroscopic technique for the rapid measurements of nanoparticle sizes and concentration. Khizer has supervised projects on the combustion-based synthesis of titanium oxides and iron oxides nanoparticles with advance measurements techniques such as electron microscopy (STEM), XRD, EDS etc systems.

 My Recent PhDs & Their Present Affiliations: 

Dr Xingming Lu – Chinese Academy of Science

Dr Ayad Al Thuwaite – University of Babylon 

Dr Gelu Verghese – Airbus UK

Dr James Pullen – EDT-Consulting UK

Mr Sajjad Husain - UoB

Research activities at Brighton include: 

• Collaboration with chemists, engineers, biomedical scientists, and clinicians in the university
• Collaboration with physicists, chemists and engineers at universities other than Brighton
• Collaboration with industrialists
• Collaboration with college and school-level staff and their research project students
• Collaboration with publishers and editors
• Collaboration with professional bodies
• Collaboration with university educators

I have a longstanding interest in nanoscience, nanotechnology and nanophysics, condensed or soft-matter self-assemblies and coarse dispersions, including colloidal encapsulation systems and the surface adsorption of functionalising polymers. I study complex formulations such as vaccines, particulate drug delivery systems and nanoencapsulation techniques in considerable depth. I work routinely with biosurfactants (such as proteins and peptides or gums), natural polymers, sustainable materials and synthetically modified materials. 

I am interested in recycling and re-exploitation of spent and soiled or spent materials or polluted environments. I am interested in the pollution of water systems and soils by heavy metals, pharmaceuticals and pesticides and by the role micro- and nano-plastic pollution plays in the damage to rivers, coastlines and seas. Work with microplastics (solid bodies) in terms of characterisation of adsorbates and organo-metallic or protein-polysaccharide biofilm fouling and the chemistry of seafoams also feature in my current research. I work with surface active molecules in the form of simple and complex foams and thin liquid films (foam lamellae). These structures relate to the quasi-2D-architectures created for a range of purposes; as means of sensing, synthesis and in their own right, to study processes such as statistical mechanics and energetics. As a nanotechnologist I also work in the field of miniaturised analytical systems – microfluidics, microarrays, sensors, diagnostic systems, and biosensors. I work in the context of product and process design and investigations associated with engineering and manufacturing process modelling. I work with the mechanics and rheology of a range of materials. 

I am interested in 'invention' and equipment fabrication and design. I am fascinated by physical and engineering applications of mesophase materials (liquid crystals), coarse and colloidal dispersions, and complex fluids, such as ionic liquids, thermotropic materials, gels and emulsions. 

Knowledge Exchange

My interest in knowledge exchange (KE) is manifested in university teaching and research but also in professional body (RSC, RPSGB, IOM3, HEA) and STEM Ambassador work (schools, colleges, university summer schools). Yet more KE is undertaken by industrial consultancy (Smpl Innovations GmbH, Graphic Supplies, Cryolabs, Biofrontera AG, etc), industrially-related academic study (KTPs, KEEP+), pure academic research with chemists, biologists, physicists and engineers at the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex but also more globally (Bulgaria, France, Italy, Sweden, USA, China, India, etc). Even more KE occurs through RCUK grant reviewing activities (EPSRC, MRC, BBSRC), editorial board and editorships (CDDT, Current Nanomedicine) for scientific periodicals, publisher book reviewing (HEA, Elsevier, Wiley) and in text book writing for three fully-authored books (Wiley-Blackwell).

Past, present and future research projects and topics:

• Plasma treatment of metals for vapour deposition
• Flax and hemp materials and their non-food use
• Nanomaterials in composite polymer materials
• Microemulsions for drug delivery
• Applications of coarse dispersions and complex fluids
• Thin liquid films and foams. Wetting transitions and thin liquid films
• Surface adsorption of polymers and proteins
• Nicotine replacement therapy and drug delivery systems
• 3D/4D printing and photo-reactive polymers
• Recycling and re-assignment of waste absorbent cotton materials
• Physics of droplet impact, spreading and fluid mechanics
• Nanoparticle and polymer drug delivery systems
• Photo-dynamic nanoparticle therapy for cancer treatment
• Nanotechnology for pharmaceutical, medical and food packaging
• Food physics and food process engineering
• Status indicating medical device materials
• Environmentally responsive encapsulated metal nanoparticles for sensor use
• Complex fluids, ionic liquids and liquid crystals
• Composite insulating materials
• The heavy metal content of industrial wastewater and landfill discharge/leachate
• Micro-plastics as 'nucleation' bodies for marine pollution and their role in seaborne and food-chain concentration, based on surface physics and composition chemistry, and the subsequent effects on geosystems and marine ecology

Awards

• Sosabowski, M.H., Piatt, R., Sarker, D.K. (2003) “Young Chemists’ Learning Project,” University of Brighton Innovation Awards 2003 - Prize Winner, Business Services, University Brighton
• Dipak K. Sarker, Featured chemist: RSC News Chemistry World, Feb 2005, p12
• Chair of the Downland Section of RSC from (Sussex, Surrey, Hamphire, Kent) 2005-2008

Memberships

• Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). Fellow designated: CChem FRSC
• Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3). Fellow designated: FIMMM
• Institute of Nanotechnology
• Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB), Academic Pharmacy Group
• University of Brighton  – School Safety Officer (chemistry)
• University of Brighton  – Sustainability representative - Applied Sciences
• University of Brighton  – Sustained Impact Group 
• University of Brighton  – Applied Sciences - Academic Standards 

Editorships

• Section Editor: Current Drug Delivery Technologies
• Associate Editor: Current Nanomedicine
• Special Issue Editor: Nanomaterials - Synthesis, Properties and Application of Novel Nanostructured Biomaterials

Editorial boards

• Recent Patents on Drug Delivery and Formulation
• International Journal of  Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education
• Open Colloid Science Journal
• Advanced Materials Reviews
• Advanced Materials Letters
• Asian Journal of Pharmaceutics
• Inventi Rapid-Impact: Pharm Tech
• Khimiya (Chemistry)
• Journal of Modern Medicinal Chemistry
• Journal of the Chinese Advanced Materials Society
• Recent Patents on Engineering
• ISRN Journal of Chemistry: Medicinal Chemistry
• International Journal of Information System and Management Research

Organising committees

• Waste Management Conference Team - KTP Project 2019/2020 (University of Brighton)
• Conference Committee - 2nd International Conference on Advanced Materials 2013 (China)
• Organising committee: International Union of Advanced Materials - Academic Committee Member 2011, Hong Kong
• Advisory board: Advanced Materials World Congress (AM 2013, organized by the International Association of Advanced Materials), Turkey, September 2013
• International Advisory Board 2nd World Conference on Science and Mathematics Education , 15-17 Oct 2015, Cyprus

 

Numerical and asymptotic modelling of uid dynamics, heat/mass transfer, and combustion processes in Diesel and gasoline sprays

My current research agenda focuses primarily on advancing industry-relevant systems and technologies and integrating human needs within these developments to enhance quality-of-life and ensure inclusivity and sustainability. My main expertise revolves around the IoT systems, edge intelligence, federated learning, autonomous robots, and cloud/fog computing with a wide range of applications in various domains including digital health, smart grids, transportation systems, data analysis, smart cities, and education. This integration of cyber and physical fields demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of my research.

Biofuel, Biodiesel production

Fuel characterisation

Biomass pyrolysis

Engine combustion

Advanced LTC combustion/Dual fuel combustion RCCI, HCCI, PCCI

Nano-additives and emulsified fuel combustion

Hydrogen and Ammonia Combustion 

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

My research interests are intelligent manufacturing with a focus on remanufacturing working in close relationship with industry with case studies ranging from automotive components, rolling stocks, machine tools, aeroengine components leading to papers, patents and software prototypes

My research interest are in mathematical and numerical modeling of multi-phase flows. My research career started at Kazan Federal University, where I focusing on the mathematical and numerical modelling of gas-particle flows in porous structures between 2008 and 2015. During this period I developed high-performance numerical codes for Lagrangian particle tracking, using CUDA technology for parallel computing on graphics cards. As a result, performance of the calculations increased for up to 70 times comparing to single-threaded CPU version of the code.As a Research Fellow at Advanced Engineering Centre at University of Brighton I developed a new method for calculating droplet number densities in gasoline engines and applied it to the analysis of experimental observations of sprays produced by high-pressure outwardly opening pintle injector. I developed a new model for heating and evaporation of a monocomponent droplet cloud based on the Fully Lagrangian Approach and implemented it into CFD code ANSYS Fluent. My ongoing work is focused on a two-way coupled model of gas-droplet flow based on Fully Lagrangian Approach.

PhD Research Title: Evaluaion of the barriers and opportunities for the deployment of waste-to-energy technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Computational Fluid Dynamics, Two-phase flow, phase change, heat and mass transfer

My research degree focuses on the application of spray technology for carbon capture utilising inorganic chemical species for absorption and other non-conventional methods of separation such as low temperature CO2 capture. My current research interests include:

• Experimental spray/fluid dynamics
• Inorganic chemical synthesis
• Laser and optical diagnostics for sprays
• Cryogenic spray separation and desublimation

I have developed a keen interest in finding means to create useful power from waste resources through thermodynamic processes, such as a closed system cycle. The most important part in such a system is the energy recovery expander, and I am working to produce cost effective, efficient devices operating in versatile conditions. 

I am interested in mathematical modelling and optical diagnostics of multiphase flows, particularly in sprays and droplets.

Research Interests  

I am truly passionate about sustainable development and achievement of the Net Zero Carbon Emissions Targets for the benefit of human race around the world. Transport with the Automotive Sector are the main contributors to total global emissions resulting in high environmental impact. Due to industry nature, transport is considered most challenging sectors in achieving the Net Zero Targets.  

Goals 

My goal is to engineer a set of tools that can quantify true environmental impacts from the overall life cycle of automobile, from the material extraction/ processing, manufacturing, customer use and finally end of life. My vision is to provide a Universal Tool that can enable impact visualisation across all life cycle stages and therefore enable informed decision making based on data evidence for manufactures, users, and policy makers.  

PhD Title  

My Doctoral topic is ‘Universal Life Cycle Emissions Tool Applied to the EVs in Automotive Sector’ 

Relevant Qualification  

I hold a MSc in Energy Policy from University of Sussex and BSc in Environment Preservation from University of Szczecin. 

I am a IRCA Certified ISO 9001:2015 QMS and ISO/TS 16949:2009 Auditor. I have successfully integrated Quality Management Systems across range of process areas within Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd. I have also undertaken numerous QMS conformity assessments across engineering, manufacturing, product design etc. areas through leading Process and Systems Audits, internally at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd. as well as externally at BMW and Mini enabling successful ISO 9001:2015 Certification and Conformity of Production.  

Furthermore, I am a Six Sigma Quality Project Champion Yellow Belt, Quality Management-Specialist QMS-TÜV qualified, proficient in innovative project approaches and methods to solve quality and process problems, achieve optimal solutions and successful completion of projects to the highest quality standard.  

Relevant Experience  

I have worked in Automotive Sector for over 8 years. I have recruited to expand and develop Quality Management Systems within Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd. and maintain ISO 9001:2015 conformity through internal and external process and systems audits. I am currently looking after Exterior Finish Centre Technical Planning and Production Steering, ensuring uninterrupted production activities, quality and process problem solving and change integration.  

Prior to my roles at Rolls-Royce, I have worked in utilities, Southern Water. My key responsibilities encompassed infostructure? expansion projects, AMP 5 Strategy delivery as well as AMP5 Energy Efficiency Projects. 

Personal Skill Set  

With my great interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills, I can influence decisions and develop positive cross functional relationships both internally and externally. I enjoy managing, being part of, motivating, training, and developing, a successful and productive team and thrive in highly pressurised and challenging working environments. 

Supervision Team  

My Doctoral advisors include, Dr Angad Panesar, and Dr Steven Begg, both from the School of Architecture, Technology and Engineering. 

Why University of Brighton  

After BSc completion in Poland, I decided to expand my horizons. I undertook MSc  in Energy Policy subject at University of Sussex. I greatly enjoyed the research that broadened my knowledge into sustainable development specifically in the transport sector. I am following this up with choosing University of Brighton, Engineering Subject Area for my PhD research. I believed it is where I can gain the support in engineering solution to empower sustainability transition in automotive sector and create an impact.  

Research interests and goals 

I have a keen interest in sustainable energy, propulsion systems and system-level modelling, and my goal is to make an impact in this domain, well beyond my PhD.  

PhD 

The working title of my PhD is “Combustion Chemistry for Optimisation of Advanced Propulsion Cycles with E-fuels”. I am using numerical modelling to investigate the combustion chemistry, thermal management, efficiency and emissions, relating to the use of sustainable fuels, including alternative engine architecture. 

Qualifications 

I have two Bachelor degrees (including a BSc in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics) and an MSc in Engineering (distinction).  

My MSc included modules on ‘Finite Element Analysis, ‘Manufacturing, Materials and Processes’, 'Space Science and Engineering’, a team project, and a research project and. Space Science and Engineering included the behaviour of bodies under stress, propulsion systems, attitude control, thermal balance, dynamics of spacecraft, celestial mechanics, mission analysis, telemetry, command, data handling and processing.  

For the team project, we designed a cantilever bridge that enabled access to an area of outstanding natural beauty for individuals with mobility disabilities.  It was my responsibility to complete the structural and modal analysis for the cantilever structure using ANSYS mechanical.  

Finally, for my final research project, I used ANSYS Chemkin-Pro simulation software to make predictive models for the performance and emissions of several internal combustion engines, including Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition, spark ignition and the recuperated split cycle engine.  

Experience 

I have previously worked as Simulation Research Officer for the University of Brighton at the Advanced Engineering Centre. In this role, I developed several simulation models to enable predictive analysis and optimisation of the performance and emissions from internal combustion engine test beds that the university is presently investigating. This included a spark ignition engine, and a recuperated split cycle engine running on hydrogen/methane fuel blends. Prior to my research role, I have worked as a teacher of Chemistry and Physics for pre-university years.  

Personal skill set 

The key character traits that have got me to this point include lateral thinking applied to problem solving, resilience, determination, and the resolve to enjoy every minute. 

Supervision team 

My supervisors are Dr Angad Panesar (Automotive Engineering course leader and my lead supervisor) and Prof Robert Morgan (Professor of Thermal Propulsion Systems).  

Why University of Brighton 

I chose to apply to the University of Brighton because I immediately felt at home. The staff are so supportive and have gone above and beyond to guide me on this journey.