My research is broadly focussed on the study of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics in combustion engines and applications in the wider engineering field. The research can be divided into three main streams:

1. Fluid mechanics of liquid sprays and multi-phase flow systems.
   
2. Thermodynamics of advanced combustion and energy systems; experimental and simulation methods.
3. Advanced experimental laser and optical measurement techniques.

Since joining the Heat Transfer Research Unit (HTRU) with Prof. Heikal in 1994, I have been involved in the development of the Sir Harry Ricardo Laboratories (SHRL), Centre for Automotive Engineering (CAE) and more recently, the Advanced Engineering Centre (AEC) at Brighton. My work has been supported by 5 EPSRC grants, 3 DfT/DTI/TSB Vehicle Foresight grants, a European FP6 programme (SUSTDEV-2002-3.1.1.1.1) and 1 INTERREG IIIa and 2 INTERREG IVa projects. I have been involved as PI/CI in over 27 programmes from 1995, including 15 significant consultancy contracts with large automotive OEM's and a Formula 1 racing team. Fundamental research applied to real world engineering solutions.

I was previously the Course leader responsible for the IMechE and IET accredited Automotive Engineering Pathways (BEng, MEng and BSc Top-up). I am involved with teaching on the Undergraduate and Postgraduate Engineering programmes as well as supervisor for major dissertations and placements. Over a period of 24 years, I have taught a wide range of subjects that has included Engineering Mechanics, Aircraft and Automotive Systems, Sensors and Interfacing and Powertrain and Transportation Systems. This broad experience and input from Accrediting, Academic and Industrial professionals, has recently re-shaped the content and delivery of our taught programmes. I approach teaching from an experiential perspective in the first year, building competence, independence and subject expertise (mid-degree) and finally consulting skills, at the last stage. A key part is providing the motivation and support to help develop practical skills. Relevent examples and laboratories are used to bridge the link between the theoretical foundations and applied aspects of the discipline (Ingenium, Ingeniare). I use a series of multi-disciplinary, smaller, exploratory tasks to achieve a bigger aim. This develops team work in a way that better reflects the Engineering workplace. At project level, I encourage students to investigate an applied research problem together in the laboratory, in order to show them what they can achieve.         

My academic career has developed over a period of 24 years at the University of Brighton where I started as a Research Assistant in 1995. My PhD, in conjunction with Ricardo UK Ltd, was entitled In-cylinder airflow and fuel spray characteristics for a top-entry, direct injection, gasoline engine. As a post-doc, I progressed to Principal Research Fellow before appointment to a lecturing post in 2010 within the School of Engineering. I became a Principal Lecturer, Fellow of the HEA and the Course Leader in 2011. I was appointed Reader in 2013 with nominations from Loughborough, Cardiff and Manchester Universities. I work in the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, where my time is split principally between teaching, course leadership and research. I am currently the Course Leader for the Automotive Engineering pathways. I am responsible for Professional Body accreditation, course development and management and academic environment and practice. In 2016, I was appointed Deputy Director of Postgraduate Research Studies for the College of Life, Health and Physical Sciences. I have supervised 5 successful Phd and 1 MPhil completions and I am currently supervising 2 PhD students. I am a grant peer reviewer for the EPSRC and the British Council and have reviewed Journal articles in publications such as 'Fuel', "Journal of Automobile Engineering", "Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science" and "SAE Intl. Journal of Engines". I have acted as both external/internal PhD examiner and PhD Chair. I have been involved in over 15 significant consultancy contracts and acted as a member of expert industrial advisory panels, scientific and organising conference committees, the Universities Internal Combustion Engine Group and the IMechE Combustion Engines and Fuels Group.

I am interested in supervising postgraduate research students in experimental thermofluids, including automotive engineering, heat transfer, sprays, two-phase flows and laser and optical measurement techniques.

Current:

Mr Andrew Harvey - Low-Speed Pre-Ignition in Turbo-Charged, Direct Injection, Gasoline Engines.

Mr Zuhaib Nissar - Sprays: Liquid Break-up and Droplet Distribution.