Zhao
academic responsibilities vice-provost and dean, college of engineering, design and physical sciences former vice dean research, college of engineering, design and physical sciences director, centre for advanced powertrain and fuels (capf) former head of mechanical and aerospace engineering former course directors for beng/meng degrees in motorsport engineering, msc in automotive and motorsport engineering former faculty advisor for brunel formula student and brunel master racing teams academic qualification and honours beng, tianjin university, china. phd, leeds university, uk. fimeche, fellow of institution of mechanical engineers (uk). dsc, brunel university london. fsae, fellow of society of automotive engineers (us) freng, fellow of royal academy of engineering foreign member of the chinese academy of engineering academic career college research fellow, cambridge university, 1989-1992. research fellow, imperial college of london, 1992-1994. lecturer, senior lecturer, reader, brunel university london, 1994-2001. professor, brunel university london, 2002-now. research leadership professor zhao has published over 400 papers and 6 books on ic engines and laser diagnostics in combustion engines. he has successfully supervised over 40 phd and postdoctoral researchers. his research covers both spark ignition and compression ignition engines and their fuels. over the last two decades, he has carried out collaborative research and development projects with a number of international companies in europe and china and chaired many international conferences. advanced spark igniton engines: di gasoline engine, cai/hcci combustion engine, alcohol fuelled si/cai engines, boosted downsized gasoline engine, 2-stroke/4-stroke switchable gasoline engine, 2-stroke si/cai combustion engines, high efficiency gasoline engines for hybrid applications, variable valve actuation(vvt, cps, mechanical vvl, and camless system, miller cycle/atkinson cycle, water injection. ethanol-diesel high efficiency and low emission dual fuel combustion engines gas-diesel dual fuel combustion engines methanol-diesel dual fuel engines h2-diesel, nh3-diesel dual fuel engines h2/nh3 light duty and heavy duty engine pre-chamber ignition combustion engines non-thermal plasma ignition and combustion uniflow 2-stroke engines advanced ci engines: combustion chamber design and optimization, fuel injection system and spray characterization, bio-fuel diesel engine combustion and emissions, hcci diesel combustion, low temperature diluted diesel combustion technologies hybrid powertrain: patented cost-effective air hybrid technologies for light duty and commercial vehicle applications, life-cycle analysis of electric and hybrid vehicles. in-cylinder optical diagnostics: in-cylinder flow measurements by lda and piv; in-cylinder mixture composition and combustion species detection by lif; simultaneous fuel vapour and liquid measurements in the di gasoline engine and cr diesel engine by lief; multi-species measurement by srs; in-cylinder soot and combustion temperature measurements by lii and high speed two-colour method; gas temperature measurements by lif and lip engine simulation: development and application of 1-d (gt-power, wave) and 3-d engine simulation(customized kiva3v, star-cd)
![Professor Hua Zhao]()
Professor Hua Zhao
Academic Responsibilities Vice-Provost and Dean, College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences Former Vice Dean Research, College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences Director, Centre for Advanced Powertrain and Fuels (CAPF) Former Head of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Former Course directors for BEng/MEng Degrees in Motorsport Engineering, MSc in Automotive and Motorsport Engineering Former faculty advisor for Brunel Formula Student and Brunel Master Racing teams Academic Qualification and Honours BEng, Tianjin University, China. PhD, Leeds University, UK. FIMechE, Fellow of Institution of Mechanical Engineers (UK). DSc, Brunel University London. FSAE, Fellow of Society of Automotive Engineers (US) FREng, Fellow of Royal Academy of Engineering Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering Academic Career College Research Fellow, Cambridge University, 1989-1992. Research Fellow, Imperial College of London, 1992-1994. Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Reader, Brunel University London, 1994-2001. Professor, Brunel University London, 2002-now. Research Leadership Professor Zhao has published over 400 papers and 6 books on IC engines and laser diagnostics in combustion engines. He has successfully supervised over 40 PhD and postdoctoral researchers. His research covers both spark ignition and compression ignition engines and their fuels. Over the last two decades, he has carried out collaborative research and development projects with a number of international companies in Europe and China and chaired many international conferences. Advanced Spark Igniton engines: DI gasoline engine, CAI/HCCI combustion engine, Alcohol fuelled SI/CAI engines, boosted downsized gasoline engine, 2-stroke/4-stroke switchable gasoline engine, 2-stroke SI/CAI combustion engines, high efficiency gasoline engines for hybrid applications, variable valve actuation(VVT, CPS, mechanical VVL, and camless system, Miller cycle/Atkinson Cycle, water injection. Ethanol-diesel high efficiency and low emission dual fuel combustion engines Gas-diesel dual fuel combustion engines Methanol-diesel dual fuel engines H2-diesel, NH3-diesel dual fuel engines H2/NH3 light duty and heavy duty engine Pre-chamber ignition combustion engines Non-thermal Plasma ignition and combustion uniflow 2-stroke engines Advanced CI engines: combustion chamber design and optimization, fuel injection system and spray characterization, bio-fuel diesel engine combustion and emissions, HCCI diesel combustion, low temperature diluted diesel combustion technologies Hybrid powertrain: patented cost-effective air hybrid technologies for light duty and commercial vehicle applications, life-cycle analysis of electric and hybrid vehicles. In-cylinder optical diagnostics: in-cylinder flow measurements by LDA and PIV; in-cylinder mixture composition and combustion species detection by LIF; simultaneous fuel vapour and liquid measurements in the DI gasoline engine and CR diesel engine by LIEF; multi-species measurement by SRS; in-cylinder soot and combustion temperature measurements by LII and high speed two-colour method; gas temperature measurements by LIF and LIP Engine simulation: development and application of 1-D (GT-Power, WAVE) and 3-D engine simulation(customized KIVA3v, star-CD)
Megaritis
academic career april 2023 to date. head of the department of mechanical and aerospace engineering 2011 to date. professor in thermofluids, brunel university london 2005-2011. senior lecturer/reader in thermofluids, brunel university london 1999-2005. lecturer in thermofluids, mechanical engineering, university of birmingham 1994-1998. research associate, department of chemical engineering and chemical technology, imperial college london academic and professional qualifications phd, dic, internal combustion engines, mechanical engineering, imperial college london dipl ing mechanical engineering, aristotle university of thessaloniki, greece euring(feani) chartered engineer, ceng engine combustion and emissions control, fuel treatment (incl. fuel reforming for hydrogen generation), alternative fuels, exhaust gas aftertreatment. thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, internal combustion engines
![Professor Thanos Megaritis]()
Professor Thanos Megaritis
Academic Career April 2023 to date. Head of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 2011 to date. Professor in Thermofluids, Brunel University London 2005-2011. Senior Lecturer/Reader in Thermofluids, Brunel University London 1999-2005. Lecturer in Thermofluids, Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham 1994-1998. Research Associate, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology, Imperial College London Academic and Professional Qualifications PhD, DIC, Internal Combustion Engines, Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London Dipl Ing Mechanical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece EurIng(FEANI) Chartered Engineer, CEng Engine Combustion and Emissions Control, Fuel Treatment (incl. Fuel Reforming for Hydrogen Generation), Alternative Fuels, Exhaust Gas Aftertreatment. Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Internal Combustion Engines
Xia
dr jun xia obtained his beng and msc at zhejiang university, china. he studied at the university of southampton for his phd on direct and dynamic large-eddy simulation studies of flame suppression by water mists and sprays, followed by postdoctoral research on diluted combustion at the same institution. in addition to better understanding the interactions between inert dispersing evaporating droplets and a diffusion flame in these engineering applications using high-fidelity simulations, fundamental differences in modelling framework between these burning systems and fuel-spray combustion were discussed. he then joined the centre for advanced powertrain and fuels of brunel university as an academic. dr xia is a certified software engineer and interested to better understand multi-physics engineering flow dynamics and transport phenomena in energy storage and systems, usually multiphase, resorting to high-fidelity simulation supported by high-performance computing and physics-guided machine learning, which helps to develop physics-based subgrid models. one of his main research interests is fuel droplet(s) and spray dynamics, including flow and combustion. interface-capturing numerical techniques, which combine sharp-interface-retaining level-sets and mass-conserving volume-of-fluid, have been further developed to better understand the puffing and microexplosion dynamics of an emulsion droplet and a droplet group, and their effects on fuel/air mixing and burning under convective heating. recently, the capability of the code has been extended to cope multicomponent droplets, by incorporating more realistic evaporation of multicomponent liquid which takes into account liquid-component activities (therefore non-ideal liquid which is usually important for liquid mixtures with components different in chemical structure and molecular size), making it ready to develop models for complex spray processes embedding disruptive secondary breakup and atomisation such as microexplosion. other major efforts include attempts on developing an integrated simulation tool for sprays in dense, transitional, and dilute spray regimes, to diminish the impact of uncertainties of upstream boundary conditions on spray modelling, which is important for predicting spray combustion dynamics and emissions, especially minor species on ppm levels. graphics processing units were considered to speed up computing in spray solvers. lattice boltzmann was further developed for inside-injector, cavitating flows at low reynolds number but realistic gas/liquid density ratio, interacting with an idealised moving needle valve. in addition to gas-liquid two-phase flows, dr xia’s research has also been on gas-solid two-phase reacting flows. in collaboration with leading overseas groups, we further developed high-fidelity simulation techniques to investigate solid-fuel, i.e., coal and/or biomass, burning and especially alkali-metal minor-species emissions, incorporating radiation and pyrolysis models that are both important in the context. chemistry tabulation has been developed to predict, with turbulence offline, alkali-metal emissions from a turbulent pulverised coal flame, which was quantitatively characterised by turbulence-resolving simulation. an important knowledge gap is alkali-species emissions of particles during the burning. we therefore have further developed lattice boltzmann methods to simulate a burning porous char particle, aiming to better understand the emission from a subgrid point-source fuel particle in macroscopic high-fidelity simulation of turbulent combustion of pulverised solid-fuels and their mixtures. under the support of the epsrc, microscopic molecular dynamics simulation has been used to investigate underground co2 storage in an exploited or depleted oil reservoir, specifically the properties of a three-phase dodecane droplet and the impacts of co2 and h2o on the droplet or film in the context of oil recovery. we also quantified transport and thermodynamic properties of co2/h2 mixtures in a variety of compositions under typical under-surface thermodynamic conditions, with h2 as impurity in deposited co2 at one end and with co2 as cushion gas in h2 storage at the other, in porous aquifers or depleted ones. clearly identified by molecular dynamics with anisotropic diffusion of supercritical species under these conditions, a recurrent neural network was also developed to predict the transition between anomalous and normal self-diffusion. with these knowledge gaps filled, we are getting ready for macroscopic modelling of geological flows under the impact of co2 and/or h2 to guide underground co2/h2 storage. computer fluids engineering multiphase flows turbulent combustion transport phenomena high-fidelity simulation studies multiscale simulation/modelling approaches machine learning in fluids engineering high-performance computing undersurface carbon/hydrogen storage
![Dr Jun Xia]()
Dr Jun Xia
Dr Jun Xia obtained his BEng and MSc at Zhejiang University, China. He studied at the University of Southampton for his PhD on direct and dynamic large-eddy simulation studies of flame suppression by water mists and sprays, followed by postdoctoral research on diluted combustion at the same institution. In addition to better understanding the interactions between inert dispersing evaporating droplets and a diffusion flame in these engineering applications using high-fidelity simulations, fundamental differences in modelling framework between these burning systems and fuel-spray combustion were discussed. He then joined the Centre for Advanced Powertrain and Fuels of Brunel University as an academic. Dr Xia is a certified software engineer and interested to better understand multi-physics engineering flow dynamics and transport phenomena in energy storage and systems, usually multiphase, resorting to high-fidelity simulation supported by high-performance computing and physics-guided machine learning, which helps to develop physics-based subgrid models. One of his main research interests is fuel droplet(s) and spray dynamics, including flow and combustion. Interface-capturing numerical techniques, which combine sharp-interface-retaining level-sets and mass-conserving volume-of-fluid, have been further developed to better understand the puffing and microexplosion dynamics of an emulsion droplet and a droplet group, and their effects on fuel/air mixing and burning under convective heating. Recently, the capability of the code has been extended to cope multicomponent droplets, by incorporating more realistic evaporation of multicomponent liquid which takes into account liquid-component activities (therefore non-ideal liquid which is usually important for liquid mixtures with components different in chemical structure and molecular size), making it ready to develop models for complex spray processes embedding disruptive secondary breakup and atomisation such as microexplosion. Other major efforts include attempts on developing an integrated simulation tool for sprays in dense, transitional, and dilute spray regimes, to diminish the impact of uncertainties of upstream boundary conditions on spray modelling, which is important for predicting spray combustion dynamics and emissions, especially minor species on ppm levels. Graphics processing units were considered to speed up computing in spray solvers. Lattice Boltzmann was further developed for inside-injector, cavitating flows at low Reynolds number but realistic gas/liquid density ratio, interacting with an idealised moving needle valve. In addition to gas-liquid two-phase flows, Dr Xia’s research has also been on gas-solid two-phase reacting flows. In collaboration with leading overseas groups, we further developed high-fidelity simulation techniques to investigate solid-fuel, i.e., coal and/or biomass, burning and especially alkali-metal minor-species emissions, incorporating radiation and pyrolysis models that are both important in the context. Chemistry tabulation has been developed to predict, with turbulence offline, alkali-metal emissions from a turbulent pulverised coal flame, which was quantitatively characterised by turbulence-resolving simulation. An important knowledge gap is alkali-species emissions of particles during the burning. We therefore have further developed lattice Boltzmann methods to simulate a burning porous char particle, aiming to better understand the emission from a subgrid point-source fuel particle in macroscopic high-fidelity simulation of turbulent combustion of pulverised solid-fuels and their mixtures. Under the support of the EPSRC, microscopic molecular dynamics simulation has been used to investigate underground CO2 storage in an exploited or depleted oil reservoir, specifically the properties of a three-phase dodecane droplet and the impacts of CO2 and H2O on the droplet or film in the context of oil recovery. We also quantified transport and thermodynamic properties of CO2/H2 mixtures in a variety of compositions under typical under-surface thermodynamic conditions, with H2 as impurity in deposited CO2 at one end and with CO2 as cushion gas in H2 storage at the other, in porous aquifers or depleted ones. Clearly identified by molecular dynamics with anisotropic diffusion of supercritical species under these conditions, a recurrent neural network was also developed to predict the transition between anomalous and normal self-diffusion. With these knowledge gaps filled, we are getting ready for macroscopic modelling of geological flows under the impact of CO2 and/or H2 to guide underground CO2/H2 storage. Computer Fluids Engineering Multiphase flows Turbulent combustion Transport phenomena High-fidelity simulation studies Multiscale simulation/modelling approaches Machine learning in fluids engineering High-performance computing Undersurface carbon/hydrogen storage
Wang
xinyan wang is currently a professor at the centre of advanced powertrain and fuels, brunel university london, uk. he was awarded the prestigious ukri future leaders fellowship programme in 2020. prof. wang is currently the member of the peer review college for the ukri talent peer review college, associate member of the peer review college for the uk engineering and natural sciences research council (epsrc), committee member of hydrogen europe research (her), committee member of uk chinese society of automotive engineering (ukcsae), senate member of brunel university london, member of brunel hydrogen team. he is the associate principal editor of fuel (elsevier), a member of the editorial board of the international journal highlights of vehicles, and a guest editor of mdpi sustainability, frontiers in thermal engineering and frontiers in energy research. he is a member of bsi committee lbi/50 fine bubble technology (fbt). his research interests include the research and development of novel fuels, low and zero carbon combustion engines. dedicated zero/low carbon fuel engines: engine design and optimisation for hydrogen/ammonia, bio-ethanol and bio-methanol fuels, e-fuels. nanobubbles/fine bubbles and their application in fuels: nanobubble generation system design, md simulations, and experimental characterisation. advanced hybrid electric engine systems: design and optimisaion hybrid/range-extender system based on uniflow scavenged engine. advanced gasoline engines: gasoline controlled auto-ignition (cai) combustion engine, spark assisted controlled auto-ignition (si-cai) hybrid combustion engine, boosted downsized gasoline engine, 2-stroke si/cai combustion engines, high energy ignition systems, high efficiency gasoline engines for hybrid applications. advanced natural gas engines: pre-chamber ignition ng engine, pre-chamber and main chamber design and optimisation. advanced diesel engines: application and optimisatio of miller cycle, variable valve actuation (vva) systems, and exhaust gas recirculation (egr) diluted combustion. dual fuel engines: diesel-methanol dual fuel combustion engines, diesel-ng dual fuel combustion engines, fuel injection strategy optimisation, chamber design and optimisation. 2-stroke engines: uniflow scavenged 2-stroke engine for high efficiency and power density, application of variable valve actuation (vva) system for advanced control of scavenging, advanced boosting technology and strategies for 2-stroke engine application. hybrid powertrain: air hybrid technologies for light duty and commercial vehicle applications, life-cycle analysis of air-hybrid engine systems. simulations: 1d engine simulations (wave, gt-power), driving cycle simulations (matlab/simulink), 3d cfd simulations (star-cd), chemical kinetic modelling (dars, chemkin). optical/laser diagnostics: flow field measurement, flame chemiluminescence, mixture composition and combustion species measurement, spray characterisation. me3627 - vehicle propulsion me3620 - major individual project me5500 - dissertation me5660 - major group project me5680 - msc group project
![Professor Xinyan Wang]()
Professor Xinyan Wang
Xinyan Wang is currently a Professor at the Centre of Advanced Powertrain and Fuels, Brunel University London, UK. He was awarded the prestigious UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship Programme in 2020. Prof. Wang is currently the member of the Peer Review College for the UKRI Talent Peer Review College, associate member of the Peer Review College for the UK Engineering and Natural Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), committee member of Hydrogen Europe Research (HER), committee member of UK Chinese Society of Automotive Engineering (UKCSAE), Senate member of Brunel University London, member of Brunel Hydrogen team. He is the Associate Principal Editor of Fuel (Elsevier), a member of the editorial board of the international journal Highlights of Vehicles, and a guest editor of MDPI Sustainability, Frontiers in Thermal Engineering and Frontiers in Energy Research. He is a member of BSI committee LBI/50 Fine Bubble Technology (FBT). His research interests include the research and development of novel fuels, low and zero carbon combustion engines. Dedicated zero/low carbon fuel engines: engine design and optimisation for hydrogen/ammonia, bio-ethanol and bio-methanol fuels, e-fuels. Nanobubbles/Fine bubbles and their application in fuels: nanobubble generation system design, MD simulations, and experimental characterisation. Advanced hybrid electric engine systems: design and optimisaion hybrid/range-extender system based on uniflow scavenged engine. Advanced gasoline engines: Gasoline controlled auto-ignition (CAI) combustion engine, Spark assisted controlled auto-ignition (SI-CAI) hybrid combustion engine, boosted downsized gasoline engine, 2-stroke SI/CAI combustion engines, high energy ignition systems, high efficiency gasoline engines for hybrid applications. Advanced Natural Gas engines: pre-chamber ignition NG engine, pre-chamber and main chamber design and optimisation. Advanced diesel engines: Application and optimisatio of Miller cycle, Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) systems, and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) diluted combustion. Dual fuel engines: diesel-methanol dual fuel combustion engines, diesel-NG dual fuel combustion engines, fuel injection strategy optimisation, chamber design and optimisation. 2-stroke engines: uniflow scavenged 2-stroke engine for high efficiency and power density, application of variable valve actuation (VVA) system for advanced control of scavenging, advanced boosting technology and strategies for 2-stroke engine application. Hybrid powertrain: air hybrid technologies for light duty and commercial vehicle applications, life-cycle analysis of air-hybrid engine systems. Simulations: 1D engine simulations (WAVE, GT-Power), driving cycle simulations (MATLAB/Simulink), 3D CFD simulations (STAR-CD), chemical kinetic modelling (DARS, Chemkin). Optical/laser diagnostics: flow field measurement, flame chemiluminescence, mixture composition and combustion species measurement, spray characterisation. ME3627 - Vehicle Propulsion ME3620 - Major Individual Project ME5500 - Dissertation ME5660 - Major Group Project ME5680 - MSc Group Project
Jiang
dr changzhao jiang is a lecturer in engines and fuels in the department of mechanical and aerospace engineering. he obtained his phd degree in mechanical engineering department at university of birmingham. after completion of his phd degree, he became a research associate at loughborough university. he joined brunel university london since march 2021. his main research interest is in hybrid vehicle powertrain system, renewable and low co2 emissions alternative fuels (such as hydrogen), and advanced laser diagnostic applications in fluid. currently my main research interests are in: hydrogen internal combustion engines alternative fuels research for vehicle propulsion and power generation advanced laser diagnostic technologies used in fluid dynamics electrification of vehicle if you are interested in any of these topics (want to cooperate or to do a phd), please contact me.
![Dr Changzhao Jiang]()
Dr Changzhao Jiang
Dr Changzhao Jiang is a Lecturer in Engines and Fuels in the department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He obtained his PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering department at University of Birmingham. After completion of his PhD degree, he became a research associate at Loughborough University. He joined Brunel University London since March 2021. His main research interest is in hybrid vehicle powertrain system, renewable and low CO2 emissions alternative fuels (such as Hydrogen), and advanced laser diagnostic applications in fluid. Currently my main research interests are in: Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines Alternative fuels research for vehicle propulsion and power generation Advanced laser diagnostic technologies used in fluid dynamics Electrification of vehicle If you are interested in any of these topics (want to cooperate or to do a PhD), please contact me.