Research
Energy and Environment
Understanding the changing environment, adapting to climate change, increasing the efficiency of our energy usage and minimising the impact of human activity are key challenges to humanity.
Our research brings together a wide range of engineering expertise to address these problems, with particular interests in the following:
Energy Systems
- Energy efficiency
- Heating and cooling
- Carbon capture, storage and utilisation
- Solar energy
- Marine based systems
- Bioenergy
Environment
- Environmental monitoring
- Effects of climate change on communications
- Transport and logistics
Medical Engineering
Many of the most important breakthroughs in medicine and healthcare over the past century have critically relied on the contribution of engineers, for example in new imaging modalities or joint replacements, and the introduction of novel medical devices and techniques will continue to improve our longevity and quality of life.
Our activities currently include fundamental research into the musculoskeletal system, the development of new medical devices and biomedical materials, and the development of new diagnostic and analytical systems. Current and recent supports of our research include Action Medical Research, BBSRC, EPSRC, EU, NHS, Leverhulme Trust, NERC, OSPREY, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society.
Sustainable Engineering
Staff and researchers in the sustainable engineering research theme undertake interdisciplinary research on advanced materials and manufacturing, design and optimisation of novel devices and control systems, and systematic engineering and sustainable solutions for energy production, carbon capture, storage and utilisation.
Research activities currently include:
- Fundamental research into the development and characterisation of advanced metal alloys, metal-based and polymer-based composites, and the manufacturing technologies for energy, automotive and aerospace industry.
- The development of novel photovoltaic devices to harness solar energy, and photo-electrochemical systems for conversion of CO2 into useful fuels.
- Fault-tolerant control of offshore wind turbines and robust fault detection and diagnosis for aerospace systems.
- Process modelling, simulation, control and optimisation for power plants, and carbon capture, storage and transport.
- Design and production of novel green catalysis to produce biofuel from eco-friendly materials, e.g. agricultural waste.
Current and recent supporters of our research include The Royal Society, The Royal Academy of Engineering, EPSRC, British Council, EU, and industry.