Mechanical Engineering research and PhD programmes

The aim of mechanical, automotive and aerospace engineering at Brunel is to develop novel theories, methods and procedures in applied mechanics, and to apply these to real life problems within the aerospace, offshore, construction, energy and medical engineering industries. Our industry-focused expertise is supporting the future development of new transport technologies, helping address the challenges of producing cleaner, more efficient vehicles and fuels along with integrated intelligent transport systems.

Research opportunities for students

Research students are welcomed to Brunel as valued members of our thriving, research-intensive community. Browse PhD opportunities below and find out about the funding available for students. Browse a full range of PhD opportunities in this area here.

Doctoral research information

How to apply for a PhD

View list of PhDs in this area

Research in mechanical, automotive and aerospace engineering

Our research strategy

Meet our experts

Our latest publications

Multi-objective optimisation of hybrid renewable energy systems for Colombian non-interconnected zones

Energy-economic analysis and optimization of a shell and tube heat exchanger using a multi-objective heat transfer search algorithm

Applications of the MC-DC casting technology to 6xxx series automotive aluminium alloys

Innovation drivers for autonomous vehicles and mobile connective technologies in the UK: A study of technology acceptance factors

Independent assessment of our research quality (REF 2021)

View REF 2021 details for Engineering (UoA 12)

Wrexham firm decked out with Brunel research

REF 2021

Browse our research projects

View all

Modular multi-material crash box for tailored impact energy absorption

Development of smart and sustainable wind turbine blades

Energy and waste reduction in Foundation Industries

Repurposing waste heat in composite manufacturing processes

Aerial view of Brunel University London campus

CoVEs in aerospace and defence for advanced manufacturing

Developing SustaINable Skills for DesiGners in additive manufacturing (SING)

Improving Sustainability: Metal Powder Production for Additive Manufacturing

Boosting the Exploitation of Standardisation Inputs from European Projects

Learning by SHAring Knowledge in dEsign for AM

Enhancing bioplastic injection moulding with ultrasonic power

Joint Industrial Data Exchange Platform (JIDEP)

Professor Harjit Singh and colleagues at a DeSHI workshop in India

Decentralised Solar Hydrogen for rural India (DeSHI)

Dental drill noise reduction device

Developing new AM-CFC multi-materials for optimised designs

Low cost solar powered food cold storage and distribution

Optimising energy management in industry

Low temperature waste heat to power generation

Industrial Thermal Energy Recovery Conversion and Management

Vehicle lightweighting

Interactive real-time infrastructure for smart and zero energy building analysis

Study of a solar powered hydrogen production system for domestic applications

High tech and low cost solution for energy efficiency and thermal comfort

CoPropel: Next-generation marine vessel propellers

Innovative Quality Engineering and Smart Technology

AI for optimisation and demand side response of built environment management

Extreme dynamic loading of aerospace composite structures

Engineering tissue specific scaffolds for organ-on-a-chip models

Vagina-on-a-Chip

High-performance pultrusion for advanced composites

Early diagnosis of diabetes mellitus

AI-LAMP for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2

Innovative techniques for precise, atraumatic placement of cochlear implant

Development of a new flexible manipulator for minimally invasive surgery

Innovative hybrid production process for alloys

MOLAY-STRUDEL

Variable geometry turbine for organic rankine cycle

Specialised thimbles for offshore renewable marine energy

Fabricating metal composite components for electric vehicles

Organ-on-a-chip models for ovarian cancer

Thermal Energy Recovery in Industrial Applications

Polymer-based composite systems for high-efficient energy scavenging and storage

Erva mate drying

Active refrigeration shelf with thermal storage

Adaptable and multi-functional building integrated photovoltaics

Design and technology solutions for Plus Energy Houses

Design for resource and energy efficiency in ceramic kilns

Heat pipe design challenge for hot plasma cooling

Innovative water recovery solutions through recycling of heat

Net negative carbon energy for economic development

Nanofluid based solar PV/T technology for polygeneration

Miniaturised solar concentrators for water purification

Innovative solar energy technology for Kenyan tea industry

Generating bioenergy from waste with solar reactor

Solar heat driven cold storage for horticultural products

Pedagogic best practice for technology-driven design futures

Sustainable manufacturing for repair and reduction of waste

Hydrogen engine for light commercial vehicles

Downsizing direct injection (DI) gasoline engine

Adapting waste heat recovery technologies for low carbon off- highway vehicles

Challenges in the lifecycle of offshore installations

SmartBridge: Smart monitoring and inspection of bridges infrastructure

Win-D-Ice: Ice protection system for turbine operation

Health condition monitoring of tidal generators

Monitoring systems for hydrogen power in transport

Online remote condition monitoring of tidal stream generators

Guided wave monitoring tool

Underground storage tanks risk mitigation system

Wind turbine digital twin for monitoring and inspection

De-icing ultrasonic guided wave and vibration system

Predictive maintenance of rail infrastructure

Predictive maintenance for wave energy devices

Condition monitoring of wind turbine drivetrains

Amphibious robot inspection and predictive maintenance

Smart greenhouses for Africa

A condition monitoring system for offshore wind turbines

SeaEnergies wave energy converter (scale model) on trials off the coast of Ireland. Our research aims to replace the hull with recycled HDPE-basalt fibre composite offering a high performance, low cost, green material.

Basalt fibre reinforced HDPE for wave energy converters

Upscaling and deployment of mooring connectors for offshore energy devices

Enabling green ammonia as future transport fuel

Advanced fuel and propulsion technologies for future low/zero carbon transport

Development of an innovative sustainable baking system

Innovative solar heating for industrial processes

AI model to optimise composites material through thickness reinforcement design

Hydrogen-induced stress cracking of duplex stainless steels

Cost effective acoustic liners for jet engines

Composite hybrid joints with electromagnetic compatibility

On-line tool to intelligently interpret design information contained in patents

Ultrasonic assisted laser welding for automotive battery packs

Steel sheet pile infrastructure defect sensing

New Force/Torque sensor based on optical technology for robot applications

Medical training robots for airway management

Soft continuum manipulator for minimally invasive surgery

Development of smart drilling spindle systems

Increasing excellence in advanced additive manufacturing

Dynamics of alkali metal species in turbulent pulverised-coal combustion

Graphene sensor for defect detection in composite materials

Lab-based prototype for automated train fluid servicing

Optimised welding in high value industries

Acoustic emission system for ship hull monitoring

Inspection and condition monitoring of rails

High temperature pipe structural health monitoring system

Enhanced defect detection aided by robotics

Integrity testing of deep foundation piles

Inspection system for power line cable maintenance

Quality control system for leak-free fuel tanks

High pressure die casting for lightweight metals

Unmanned aerial systems inspection of civil structures

Manufacturing processes and monitoring for OLED devices

Processing using power ultrasound during solidifying phase

Long range ultrasonic inspection of aircraft wiring

Robotic digital X-ray scanning system

Technological innovation and monitoring for the AM industry

Digital monitoring of ships

Non-destructive testing of bonded assemblies

Prevention and detection of fouling on ship hulls

Creating bio-inspired soft robotics

Global structural health monitoring of high-temperature steam lines

Open rotor propellers ice protection system

Lightweight electric vehicle architecture

Pause

Research groups and centres

Advanced Powertrain and Fuels

We have particular strengths in improving the efficiency and reducing energy cost of existing engines through developing low temperature combustion processes and their controls and regenerative braking, as well as unique methodologies for the study of fuels and engines.

Aerospace Research Centre

The Aerospace Research Centre integrates aerodynamics, aeroacoustics and aerostructures to tackle emerging areas in 21st-century aerospace industries with far-reaching impacts.

Assessment of Structures and Materials under Extreme Conditions

Thermo-mechanical modelling of metallic, non-metallic and composite structural materials; numerical methods development for solid and structural mechanics applications; experimental methods to support the development and application of advanced material and structural models.

Automotive

Our industry-focused expertise is supporting the future development of new transport technologies, helping address the challenges of producing cleaner, more efficient vehicles and fuels along with integrated intelligent transport systems.

Biomedical Engineering

Research in the growing multi-disciplinary field of advanced technology as devices, processes and modelling to advance health through improvements in therapy, diagnosis, screening, monitoring and rehabilitation.

Bioprocess and Biopharmaceutical Engineering

We pursue research into separation and purification techniques and associated instrument design/operation, to ensure further improvements are made in the speed, through-put, economy, resolution and efficiency of downstream processing

Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Technology (BCAST)

BCAST is an academic research centre focusing on both fundamental and applied research on solidification of metallic materials.

Brunel Composites Centre

Shared research and technology capabilities, specialising in novel composites processing and joining technologies applied to industrial environments.

Brunel Innovation Centre

A world-class research and technology centre that sits between the knowledge base and industry.

Circular Metals

An interdisciplinary academic team (including macroeconomics, industrial sustainability, business management, artificial intelligence, product design, metallurgical science and materials engineering) and a strong industrial consortium involving the full range of the metals supply chain delivering the transformation of the metals industry.

Digital Manufacturing

Being at the forefront of solutions for building smart machines, we create an operational framework for the digital transformation to Industry 4.0.

Energy Efficient and Sustainable Technologies

Thermal systems including renewable systems and their application; Single and two-phase heat transfer processes–enhanced heat transfer; Refrigeration; Heating-cooling and ventilating systems; cooling of electronics; Coatings and nanofluids in thermal applications; Modelling and energy efficiency in thermal systems; Carbon capture systems; Energy storage, renewable hydrogen and fuel cell systems; Energy materials; Energy use in communication systems.

Engineering Management and Sustainability

Equitable Development and Resilience

Centred on development and social justice issues, our group continually reflects upon how individual and collective agency can contribute to meaningful change around climate action and sustainability across Global North and South nations.

Experimental Techniques Centre

A highly regarded cross-disciplinary characterisation facility, with specialist staff that have expertise from various scientific disciplines, e.g. biology, metallurgy, geology and engineering.

Heat Pipe and Thermal Management

Thermal management; Energy efficiency development; Emission reduction; Energy recovery; Heat-pipe technology; Heat exchangers; Fluid dynamics.

Institute of Digital Futures

Brings together digital science and technology innovation and advancement, aligned with the Grand Challenges of the UK’s Industrial Strategy, thereby enhancing the global citizen’s quality of life.

Institute of Materials and Manufacturing

Aims to improve the performance of materials and structures and become the leading international provider of materials and manufacturing research.

Liquid Metal Engineering Hub

The Hub's research programme, co-created with industry partners, focuses on the closed-loop recycling of metallic materials as the single greatest challenge and opportunity facing the global manufacturing industry.

Mechanics of Solids and Structures

Internationally leading research in the areas of experimental testing and computational modelling of solids and structures.

Non-traditional Manufacturing Technologies

Development, application, and implementation of non-traditional manufacturing technologies: electro-discharge machining, electrochemical machining, laser technologies, vibration machining of brittle materials, abrasive flow machining, electroforming, diamond machining, ultrasonic machining and many more.

Organ-on-a-Chip

The group’s main research focus is on women’s health and developing four main organ-on-a-chip (OOC) models: the breast, vagina, ovary, and placenta.

Quality Engineering and Smart Technology

Our mission is to help industries and businesses to innovate and improve the quality of their products, processes and services through promoting the best quality engineering practices and providing smart system solutions.

Robotics and Automation

We carry out world-class research in robotics and autonomous systems, exploiting and exploring opportunities to develop innovative solutions for industrial and societal applications.

Sustainable Energy Use in Food Chains

Energy demand and GHG emissions reduction in all stages of the food chain; optimal ways the food chain can utilise different energy sources and interact with the energy supply system; resource efficiency through intensification of food processing.

Two Phase Flow and Heat Transfer

Focussing on various aspects of fluid flow and heat transfer, from the nano to the macro scale with applications to industrial thermal systems, aerospace, energy generation, process industries as well as carbon capture and utilisation.

View all

Modular multi-material crash box for tailored impact energy absorption

Development of smart and sustainable wind turbine blades

Energy and waste reduction in Foundation Industries

Repurposing waste heat in composite manufacturing processes

CoVEs in aerospace and defence for advanced manufacturing

Developing SustaINable Skills for DesiGners in additive manufacturing (SING)

Improving Sustainability: Metal Powder Production for Additive Manufacturing

Boosting the Exploitation of Standardisation Inputs from European Projects

Learning by SHAring Knowledge in dEsign for AM

Enhancing bioplastic injection moulding with ultrasonic power

Joint Industrial Data Exchange Platform (JIDEP)

Decentralised Solar Hydrogen for rural India (DeSHI)

Dental drill noise reduction device

Developing new AM-CFC multi-materials for optimised designs

Low cost solar powered food cold storage and distribution

Optimising energy management in industry

Low temperature waste heat to power generation

Industrial Thermal Energy Recovery Conversion and Management

Vehicle lightweighting

Interactive real-time infrastructure for smart and zero energy building analysis

Study of a solar powered hydrogen production system for domestic applications

High tech and low cost solution for energy efficiency and thermal comfort

CoPropel: Next-generation marine vessel propellers

Innovative Quality Engineering and Smart Technology

AI for optimisation and demand side response of built environment management

Extreme dynamic loading of aerospace composite structures

Engineering tissue specific scaffolds for organ-on-a-chip models

Vagina-on-a-Chip

High-performance pultrusion for advanced composites

Early diagnosis of diabetes mellitus

AI-LAMP for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2

Innovative techniques for precise, atraumatic placement of cochlear implant

Development of a new flexible manipulator for minimally invasive surgery

Innovative hybrid production process for alloys

MOLAY-STRUDEL

Variable geometry turbine for organic rankine cycle

Specialised thimbles for offshore renewable marine energy

Fabricating metal composite components for electric vehicles

Organ-on-a-chip models for ovarian cancer

Thermal Energy Recovery in Industrial Applications

Polymer-based composite systems for high-efficient energy scavenging and storage

Erva mate drying

Active refrigeration shelf with thermal storage

Adaptable and multi-functional building integrated photovoltaics

Design and technology solutions for Plus Energy Houses

Design for resource and energy efficiency in ceramic kilns

Heat pipe design challenge for hot plasma cooling

Innovative water recovery solutions through recycling of heat

Net negative carbon energy for economic development

Nanofluid based solar PV/T technology for polygeneration

Miniaturised solar concentrators for water purification

Innovative solar energy technology for Kenyan tea industry

Generating bioenergy from waste with solar reactor

Solar heat driven cold storage for horticultural products

Pedagogic best practice for technology-driven design futures

Sustainable manufacturing for repair and reduction of waste

Hydrogen engine for light commercial vehicles

Downsizing direct injection (DI) gasoline engine

Adapting waste heat recovery technologies for low carbon off- highway vehicles

Challenges in the lifecycle of offshore installations

SmartBridge: Smart monitoring and inspection of bridges infrastructure

Win-D-Ice: Ice protection system for turbine operation

Health condition monitoring of tidal generators

Monitoring systems for hydrogen power in transport

Online remote condition monitoring of tidal stream generators

Guided wave monitoring tool

Underground storage tanks risk mitigation system

Wind turbine digital twin for monitoring and inspection

De-icing ultrasonic guided wave and vibration system

Predictive maintenance of rail infrastructure

Predictive maintenance for wave energy devices

Condition monitoring of wind turbine drivetrains

Amphibious robot inspection and predictive maintenance

Smart greenhouses for Africa

A condition monitoring system for offshore wind turbines

Basalt fibre reinforced HDPE for wave energy converters

Upscaling and deployment of mooring connectors for offshore energy devices

Enabling green ammonia as future transport fuel

Advanced fuel and propulsion technologies for future low/zero carbon transport

Development of an innovative sustainable baking system

Innovative solar heating for industrial processes

AI model to optimise composites material through thickness reinforcement design

Hydrogen-induced stress cracking of duplex stainless steels

Cost effective acoustic liners for jet engines

Composite hybrid joints with electromagnetic compatibility

On-line tool to intelligently interpret design information contained in patents

Ultrasonic assisted laser welding for automotive battery packs

Steel sheet pile infrastructure defect sensing

New Force/Torque sensor based on optical technology for robot applications

Medical training robots for airway management

Soft continuum manipulator for minimally invasive surgery

Development of smart drilling spindle systems

Increasing excellence in advanced additive manufacturing

Dynamics of alkali metal species in turbulent pulverised-coal combustion

Graphene sensor for defect detection in composite materials

Lab-based prototype for automated train fluid servicing

Optimised welding in high value industries

Acoustic emission system for ship hull monitoring

Inspection and condition monitoring of rails

High temperature pipe structural health monitoring system

Enhanced defect detection aided by robotics

Integrity testing of deep foundation piles

Inspection system for power line cable maintenance

Quality control system for leak-free fuel tanks

High pressure die casting for lightweight metals

Unmanned aerial systems inspection of civil structures

Manufacturing processes and monitoring for OLED devices

Processing using power ultrasound during solidifying phase

Long range ultrasonic inspection of aircraft wiring

Robotic digital X-ray scanning system

Technological innovation and monitoring for the AM industry

Digital monitoring of ships

Non-destructive testing of bonded assemblies

Prevention and detection of fouling on ship hulls

Creating bio-inspired soft robotics

Global structural health monitoring of high-temperature steam lines

Open rotor propellers ice protection system

Lightweight electric vehicle architecture

Pause

Courses

Advanced Powertrain and Fuels PhD

Biomedical Engineering PhD

Energy Efficient and Sustainable Technologies PhD

Manufacturing and Enterprise Engineering PhD

Materials Characterisation and Processing PhD

Materials Engineering PhD

Mechanical Engineering PhD

Metallurgy PhD

Micro-Nano Manufacturing PhD

Structural Integrity PhD

View all courses

Fully-funded studentships

Advancing Aluminium Extrusion for Side Sill Structures—Integration, Digitalisation, and Sustainable Innovations

Study of alloying additions on the extrusion of high-performance automotive aluminium alloys using advanced physical thermomechanical simulation

Understanding the role of alloying additions in the development of high-performance strain-induced precipitation hardenable AA6xxx series aluminium alloys

Nanoscale chemical characterisation of high strength Al-6XXX produced with recycled aluminium

Developing net-zero power technologies for future marine application

Future Aerospace Structures Ground Vibration Testing.

Next-Generation CFD modelling of High-Pressure Turbine cooling

Developing in vitro 3D joint models using 3D bioprinting

Our funded studentships become available at different times of the year. Please keep checking our page regularly to see the latest funded opportunities. We also advertise all our funded studentships as soon as they become available on the @BrunelResearch twitter account.

View all studentships