Engineering & Mathematics
Overview
The Engineering and Mathematics subject group has a strong research expertise in energy, materials & manufacturing, mechanical & design, mathematics & modelling, automation & robotics, and operations & production management. Our students focus on engineering practices, computing skills and principles of design relating to a wide range of mechanical and energy systems. They learn to integrate their knowledge of mathematics, science, information technology, design and management and apply it to solve complex engineering problems. Our Energy and Environmental Engineering programme also helps students to gain an understanding of the operation and specification of renewable energy systems and consider the use and impact of appropriate materials and methods of manufacture and covers building services design for zero emissions. These programmes will also help the students to develop their skills in innovative thinking.
The subject group also has strong industry links to ensure our programmes are highly relevant and up to date, providing professional insight and crucial knowledge for success. Our specialist labs include robotics and automated manufacturing which contains systems such as flexible manufacturing systems and autonomous robotics, advanced materials lab that contains solution blow spinning facility, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, mechanical testing facilities, a manufacturing lab that has a wide range of conventional machine tools as well as CNC machining centres equipped with Kistler cutting force dynamometer setup.
Research Themes
Mechanical & Design
Our research focuses on product development cycle, such as predictive engineering design modelling, multi-physics problems in solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, fluid-structure interaction and electro-magneto-mechanics, structural optimisation, technology-driven design development for renewable energy storage, aerodynamics studies, analysis of engineering design informatics, designing integrated product-service systems, modelling and management of engineering design, crowdsourcing design and manufacturing processes, and material selection. We are equipped with state-of-the-art CAD modelling and analysis software (Solidworks, ANSYS etc.), strain measurement systems, prototyping facilities with a suite of 3D printers, and 3D scanners. The group actively supports industries to develop and test novel products.
Materials & Manufacturing Engineering
Our research focuses on the development, characterisation, and processing of a wide range of materials from metals and composites. We study the relationship between the microstructure and properties of materials, and how to manipulate these properties to improve their performance for specific applications. Our research interests include advanced machining processes, ceramic synthesis, physical metallurgy, sustainable materials processing, polymer/plastic processing & characterisation and polymeric nanofibers for energy harvesting applications.
Automation & Robotics
Our research focuses on the Industry 4.0 aspects such as power optimisation, path planning optimisation, data analytic techniques for fault diagnostic, predictive maintenance and control system applications. Our state of art Festo Flexible Manufacturing System, SCARA and Industrial robots, Siemens PLC system, Festo Robotino, National Instrument MyRio and Festo Process Control rigs provide hands on experience to both teaching and research.
Digital Manufacturing & Management
Our research focuses on the development of methodologies and software tools for systems and assembly line simulations in virtual environments, Human-Robot Interaction, physical and cognitive ergonomics and quality systems management. Practices and theory related to management of production systems, including IT in production management, enterprise resource planning, supply chain management, energy and resource management are also areas of interests.
Mathematics & Modelling
Our multidisciplinary mathematics research spans a range of different areas of pure and applied mathematics with a particular focus on solid mechanics; computational fluid dynamics of reacting and non-reacting flows; renewable energy (solar, wave); mathematical control theory; Harmonic analysis and analytic number theory.
Energy
Our energy research focuses on renewable energy technologies including solar photovoltaic systems, new materials for building-integrated solar collectors, design, and optimisation of renewable energy systems for off-grid and water desalination applications. There is also focus on energy storage theme including storage of large-scale hydrogen storage, thermal energy storage and electric vehicles. We have state-of-the-art facilities, such as solar simulators, solar water heaters, thermal energy storage, air-conditioning, wind energy and hydro power units.
Our Research Projects
Find below some of our ongoing externally funded projects:
Energy & System Modelling
Automation & Robotics
Engineering Design & Simulation
Materials & Manufacturing
Mathematics
Our Courses
We provide expert teaching on a range of courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and supervise a number of doctoral researchers (PhD).
Undergraduate
Postgraduate
Facilities and resources
Our laboratories are equipped with industry-standard tools to support cutting-edge teaching and research. Students have access to advanced characterisation tools, including a Scanning Electron Microscope with EDS and EBSD for high-resolution analysis of materials down to the nanoscale, and an Alicona G4 Infinite Focus Microscope for creating precise 3D surface measurements. Materials performance can be tested under realistic conditions using a Cyclic Corrosion Test Cabinet that simulates harsh environments such as salt spray, humidity and temperature extremes. These analytical capabilities are complemented by high-end manufacturing equipment, including a Mazak CV5-500 5-Axis Machining Centre, enabling students to design and produce complex, high-precision components using professional CAD/CAM software. Together, these facilities provide an excellent environment for hands-on learning, innovation and applied engineering research.
Learn more about our Mechanical Engineering facilities