Research centres and groups

Additive Manufacturing and 4D Printing

The Additive Manufacturing and 4D Printing Research Group seeks to understand the fundamental aspects and applications of programmable materials through layer-wise methods of production.

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

AI Social and Digital Innovation

Social, economic and strategic effects of AI and associated technologies. Impact of AI and related technologies on societies, organisations and individuals.

Applied and Numerical Analysis

Focused on the analysis of mathematical models of biological, chemical or physical processes.

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.

Brunel Interdisciplinary Power Systems

Power systems analysis for transmission and distribution networks, smart grids; congestion monitoring in transmission networks; simulation and analysis of new energy markets; optimisation of the design and operation of electrical networks; condition monitoring of power station and power system plant; energy-efficient designs for underground electric power cables.

Brunel Software Engineering Lab

Promoting all sides of empirical and formal investigations of software artefacts – code, formal models and human aspects.

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.

Computational Biology

Developing and applying novel methodologies for computational modelling, simulation and analysis of biological systems

Computer Science for Social Good

Our group works with partners in the Global South to lead and promote interdisciplinary research in the field of computer science and social good. We focus on investigating and developing new ways and innovative technologies to address challenging socio-economic problems.

Creative Computing

Multidisciplinary research at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (machine learning), serious and fun gaming, and cognitive modelling to simulate a physical world either as a virtual, augmented or mixed reality environment.

Design and Manufacturing

Developing products, services and manufacturing processes that will deliver economically and environmentally sustainable solutions, based on design principles derived from an understanding of human capabilities and limitations.

Design for Sustainability

We focus on developing the theory and practice required to design solutions that foster environmental, socio-ethical and economic sustainability in areas ranging from materials and manufacturing to products, services, business models, bottom-up initiatives and socio-technical systems.

Digital Design Lab

User-centred research, innovation, consultancy and knowledge transfer aimed at design, development and evaluation of innovative digital and digital-physical systems, products, services and experiences.

Digital Economy

Focusing on international digital economy research capability in areas including cyber security, trust, identity and privacy challenges, and big data analytics.

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.

Digital Process and Simulation

Electronic Systems

Investigating processes and mechanisms found in nature to inspire alternative approaches to the design and implementation of intelligent electronic systems.

Emerging Energy Technologies

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.

Financial Mathematics and Operational Research

Developing advanced mathematical, probabilistic and optimisation approaches to problems in financial mathematics and operational research.

Flood Risk and Resilience

Our flood risk and resilience research brings together a diverse team of colleagues with various discipline expertise and a wide range of research networks as well as industry and policy partners, focussed on addressing the multifaceted challenges of flood risk and resilience in the UK and globally.

Flood, Coastal and Water Engineering

The Flood, Coastal and Water Engineering Group addresses the challenges of water scarcity, aging water infrastructures and flood management in the UK and worldwide. The group also concentrates on providing research solutions for recycling water and offering sustainable water resources for domestic and industrial uses.

Geotechnical and Environmental Engineering

Delivering a new understanding of our geo-environment and critical infrastructure in diverse ecosystems, for predicting and preventing catastrophic failure and responding to the need for decarbonisation and energy security.

Heat Pipe and Thermal Management

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

Human Computer Interaction

Investigating ways in which humans and computers can interact through intuitive interface design, understanding of human factors and multimedia.

Human-centred Design

Covering inclusive design, design for ageing demographics, and perception enhancement.

Inclusive Design

Inclusive Design Research Group at Brunel University London brings together multidisciplinary expertise to understand different factors causing exclusion, to develop methods and interventions for improvement, and to advance the knowledge of design for inclusion.

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 Energy Futures

We have particular strengths in environmental design in refrigeration, heating and cooling and disruptive energy and fuels bringing together researchers from different disciplines as well as mainstream engineering research.

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.

Intelligent Data Analysis

Concerned with effective analysis of data involving artificial intelligence, dynamic systems, image and signal processing, optimisation, pattern recognition, statistics and visualisation.

Intelligent Digital Economy and Society

Research into intelligent digital economy and society using AI, data analytics, 6G, media, human-machine interaction, digital games, augmented and virtual reality, digital twins, IoTs, cyber security, data & information fusion.

Interactive Multimedia Systems

Building sensor and media-rich, cross-layer, inclusive e-systems, with an interest in human-machine interaction, sensorial-based interfaces, data visualisation and multimedia.

International Relations

Our political scientists and historians work on vital international problems like security and intelligence, or violent conflict.

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.

Mathematical and Statistical Modelling

Established in 2021 the Centre spotlights the transformative role of mathematics and statistics in innovative projects, their impact in real-world applications and in adding societal and economic value.

Mathematical Physics and Applied Mathematics

Innovating analytical methods for problems arising from engineering and physical sciences.

Mechanics of Solids and Structures

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

Media Communication

Conducting, promoting and disseminating world-class research in the expanding area of Media Communications systems and technologies.

Modelling and Simulation

Investigating how modelling and simulation can be supported by research into high-performance computing, e-infrastructures, cyberinfrastructures, cloud computing and web-based simulation.

National Structural Integrity Research Centre

Leading the way in cutting-edge research focused on engineering and materials, Cambridge based National Structural Integrity Research Centre (NSIRC) is embedded within TWI's headquarters. Brunel serves proudly as the lead academic partner in the joint initiative with TWI.

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

Resilient Structures and Construction Materials

RIMS research group brings together material scientists and structural engineers to deliver resilient infrastructure (buildings, bridges etc.) made of sustainable, advanced materials to perform under harsh natural environment and human-induced hazards.

Resource Efficient Future Cities

Urban energy; Sustainable advanced materials; Energy efficiency in buildings; System integration of energy and infrastructure planning at community/district/city scales.

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.

Sensors and Instrumentation

Research in detectors, instrumentation, and data analysis methods applied in high energy particle physics, space science, medical imaging, and remote instrumentation and control.

Smart Technology Advancements in Health and Rehabilitation

Data science/wearable technology and Rehabilitation; Haptic feedback, multi-sensory interfacing and Robotics in Health; Immersion and Engagement in Virtual Rehabilitation; TeleHealth/TeleRehab; Data: using AI and Machine learning to improve health.

Statistics and Data Science

Strategic growth area of statistical methods and models for data science.

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.

Wireless Network and Communication

Application of Networks for the communication of information, media and services within the media, energy and environment, security and defence, manufacturing and medical industries.

Wolfson Centre for Sustainable Materials Development and Processing

Research into the development and processing of new materials including nano-materials, nano-phosphors and nanostructured carbon, biofuels, polymers and bio-polymers.