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 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 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 degrees from zhejiang university, china. he then earned his phd from the university of southampton, focusing on direct and dynamic large-eddy simulations of flame suppression by water mists and sprays, followed by postdoctoral research on diluted combustion at the same institution. his research not only advanced the understanding of interactions between inert, dispersing and evaporating droplets and diffusion flames using high-fidelity simulations, but also explored the fundamental differences in modeling frameworks between these burning systems and fuel-spray combustion. he subsequently joined the centre for advanced powertrain and fuels at brunel university as an academic faculty member. dr xia is a certified software engineer. he aims to better understand multi-physics engineering flow dynamics and transport phenomena in energy storage and multiphase systems. to achieve this, he utilises high-fidelity simulations supported by high-performance computing and physics-guided machine learning, which aid in the development of physics-based subgrid models. one of his primary research interests lies in fuel droplet and spray dynamics, including flow and combustion. interface-capturing numerical techniques, combining sharp-interface-retaining level-sets with mass-conserving volume-of-fluid methods, have been further developed to better understand the puffing and microexplosion dynamics of emulsion droplets and droplet groups, as well as their effects on fuel-air mixing and burning under convective heating. recently, the capability of the code has been extended to handle multicomponent droplets by incorporating realistic non-ideal liquid evaporation models that account for liquid-component activities. this development enables the modeling of complex spray processes involving disruptive secondary breakup and atomisation, such as microexplosion. his other major efforts include developing an integrated simulation tool for dense, transitional and dilute spray regimes to minimise the impact of upstream boundary condition uncertainties on spray modeling, a crucial step for accurately predicting spray combustion dynamics and emissions, particularly minor species at ppm levels. additionally, his team has utilised graphics processing units (gpus) to accelerate computing in spray solvers and advanced lattice boltzmann methods to simulate low-reynolds-number, inside-injector cavitating flows with realistic gas-liquid density ratios interacting with idealised moving needle valves. beyond gas-liquid two-phase flows, dr xia investigates gas-solid two-phase reacting flows. in collaboration with leading international research groups, high-fidelity simulation techniques have been further developed to investigate solid-fuel (coal and biomass) combustion and alkali-metal minor-species emissions, incorporating essential radiation and pyrolysis models. chemistry tabulation methods have been developed to predict alkali-metal emissions from turbulent pulverised coal flames, quantitatively characterised via turbulence-resolving simulations. to bridge a critical knowledge gap regarding alkali-species emissions from particles during burning, his group has advanced lattice boltzmann methods to simulate a burning porous char particle. this work aims to clarify emissions from subgrid point-source fuel particles within macroscopic high-fidelity simulations of turbulent solid-fuel combustion. supported by the epsrc, dr xia also utilises microscopic molecular dynamics simulations to investigate underground co2 storage in depleted oil reservoirs, specifically examining the properties of three-phase dodecane droplets and the impacts of co2 and h2o on droplets and films during oil recovery. furthermore, his research has quantified the transport and thermodynamic properties of co2/h2 mixtures across various compositions under subsurface conditions, addressing both h2 impurities in deposited co2 and co2 as a cushion gas in h2 storage within porous aquifers. using molecular dynamics, his work clearly identified the anisotropic diffusion of supercritical species under these conditions, and a recurrent neural network was subsequently developed to predict the transition between anomalous and normal self-diffusion. with these fundamental knowledge gaps addressed, his group is ready for developing macroscopic models of geological flows to guide large-scale underground co2 and 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 combustion energy systems electrochemical energy systems
![Dr Jun Xia]()
Dr Jun Xia
Dr Jun Xia obtained his BEng and MSc degrees from Zhejiang University, China. He then earned his PhD from the University of Southampton, focusing on direct and dynamic large-eddy simulations of flame suppression by water mists and sprays, followed by postdoctoral research on diluted combustion at the same institution. His research not only advanced the understanding of interactions between inert, dispersing and evaporating droplets and diffusion flames using high-fidelity simulations, but also explored the fundamental differences in modeling frameworks between these burning systems and fuel-spray combustion. He subsequently joined the Centre for Advanced Powertrain and Fuels at Brunel University as an academic faculty member. Dr Xia is a certified software engineer. He aims to better understand multi-physics engineering flow dynamics and transport phenomena in energy storage and multiphase systems. To achieve this, he utilises high-fidelity simulations supported by high-performance computing and physics-guided machine learning, which aid in the development of physics-based subgrid models. One of his primary research interests lies in fuel droplet and spray dynamics, including flow and combustion. Interface-capturing numerical techniques, combining sharp-interface-retaining level-sets with mass-conserving volume-of-fluid methods, have been further developed to better understand the puffing and microexplosion dynamics of emulsion droplets and droplet groups, as well as their effects on fuel-air mixing and burning under convective heating. Recently, the capability of the code has been extended to handle multicomponent droplets by incorporating realistic non-ideal liquid evaporation models that account for liquid-component activities. This development enables the modeling of complex spray processes involving disruptive secondary breakup and atomisation, such as microexplosion. His other major efforts include developing an integrated simulation tool for dense, transitional and dilute spray regimes to minimise the impact of upstream boundary condition uncertainties on spray modeling, a crucial step for accurately predicting spray combustion dynamics and emissions, particularly minor species at ppm levels. Additionally, his team has utilised graphics processing units (GPUs) to accelerate computing in spray solvers and advanced Lattice Boltzmann methods to simulate low-Reynolds-number, inside-injector cavitating flows with realistic gas-liquid density ratios interacting with idealised moving needle valves. Beyond gas-liquid two-phase flows, Dr Xia investigates gas-solid two-phase reacting flows. In collaboration with leading international research groups, high-fidelity simulation techniques have been further developed to investigate solid-fuel (coal and biomass) combustion and alkali-metal minor-species emissions, incorporating essential radiation and pyrolysis models. Chemistry tabulation methods have been developed to predict alkali-metal emissions from turbulent pulverised coal flames, quantitatively characterised via turbulence-resolving simulations. To bridge a critical knowledge gap regarding alkali-species emissions from particles during burning, his group has advanced Lattice Boltzmann methods to simulate a burning porous char particle. This work aims to clarify emissions from subgrid point-source fuel particles within macroscopic high-fidelity simulations of turbulent solid-fuel combustion. Supported by the EPSRC, Dr Xia also utilises microscopic molecular dynamics simulations to investigate underground CO2 storage in depleted oil reservoirs, specifically examining the properties of three-phase dodecane droplets and the impacts of CO2 and H2O on droplets and films during oil recovery. Furthermore, his research has quantified the transport and thermodynamic properties of CO2/H2 mixtures across various compositions under subsurface conditions, addressing both H2 impurities in deposited CO2 and CO2 as a cushion gas in H2 storage within porous aquifers. Using molecular dynamics, his work clearly identified the anisotropic diffusion of supercritical species under these conditions, and a recurrent neural network was subsequently developed to predict the transition between anomalous and normal self-diffusion. With these fundamental knowledge gaps addressed, his group is ready for developing macroscopic models of geological flows to guide large-scale underground CO2 and 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 Combustion energy systems Electrochemical energy systems
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.