Research profile
The aim of mechanical 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.
Our facilities are extensive, modern and well-equipped, including the dedicated aerospace/aviation laboratory, flight simulator, professionally designed Brunel motorsport workshop, modern material/structure testing laboratory, and state-of-art IC engine laboratories.
Find out about the exciting research we do in this area. Browse profiles of our experts, discover the research groups and their inspirational research activities you too could be part of. We’ve also made available extensive reading materials published by our academics and PhD students.
Learn more about research in this area.
Browse the work of subject-relevant research groups
- Aerospace Research Centre
- Assessment of Structures and Materials under Extreme Conditions
- Biomedical Engineering
- Circular Metals
- Digital Manufacturing
- Equitable Development and Resilience
- Liquid Metal Engineering Hub
- National Structural Integrity Research Centre
- Non-traditional Manufacturing Technologies
- Organ-on-a-Chip
- Quality Engineering and Smart Technology
- Robotics and Automation
- Sustainable Energy Use in Food Chains
- Two Phase Flow and Heat Transfer
Find a supervisor
Our researchers create knowledge and advance understanding, and equip versatile doctoral researchers with the confidence to apply what they have learnt for the benefit of society. Find out more about working with the Supervisory Team.
You are welcome to approach your potential supervisor directly to discuss your research interests. Search for expert supervisors for your chosen field of research.
PhD topics
While we welcome applications from students with a clear direction for their research, we are providing you with some ideas for your chosen field of research:
- Additive manufacturing and sustainability, supervised by Eujin Pei
- AI (Artificial Intelligence) enabled autonomous robots for non-disruptive inspection of utility and sewage systems, supervised by Md Nazmul Huda
- Automatic computational fluid-dynamics, supervised by James Tyacke
- CFD modelling of plasma flow control, supervised by James Tyacke
- Crystal Plasticity Modelling of Hexagonal Closed-Pack (HCP) Materials for Manufacturing, supervised by Rui Ramos Cardoso
- Developing a device for marine life and water quality monitoring, supervised by Gera Troisi
- Development of a miniature capsule robot for capsule endoscopy, supervised by Md Nazmul Huda
- Development of an Optical Shape Sensing Method Using Optoelectronic Sensors for Soft Flexible Robotic Manipulators in Minimally Invasive Surgery, supervised by Yohan Noh
- Fracture assessment of large-scale structural components, supervised by Marius Gintalas
- Large Language Models (LLM) for Automated Finite Element Analysis, supervised by Michael Rustell and Tatiana Kalganova
- Optimisation of geothermal energy extraction, supervised by James Tyacke
- Precision control of Nano-fuel production, supervised by Yang Yang
- Reliability Analysis of Adhesively Bonded Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composites, supervised by Sadik Omairey and Mihalis Kazilas
- Study of stray current induced corrosion in railway construction, supervised by Kangkang Tang
- The sustainability of hydrogen production for future energy uses, supervised by Colin Axon and Peter Hewitson
- Use of Large Language Models (LLM) as a Structural Engineering Design Assistant, supervised by Michael Rustell and Tatiana Kalganova
- Using Machine Learning to Simulate Macroscopic phenomena for Fluid Dynamics, supervised by Nadine Aburumman
Research journey
This course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in January. Or this course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in October. Or this course can be studied 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time, starting in April.
Research support
UK entry requirements
The general University entrance requirement for registration for a research degree is normally a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree (1st or 2:1).
An interview will be required as part of the admissions process and will be conducted by at least two academic staff members remotely via MS Teams, Zoom, or face to face.
Applicants will be required to submit a personal statement and a research statement.
Please contact your proposed supervisor, where possible, to receive feedback and guidance on your research statement before submitting it. Learn how to prepare a research statement here.
EU and International entry requirements
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)
Fees and funding
2024/5 entry
International
£23,615 full-time
£11,805 part-time
UK
£4,786 full-time
£2,393 part-time
