Research themes within the Engineering Modelling and Simulation Group (EMSG)
Key themes
Within the EMSG, we focus on three separate but inter-connected research themes.
Aerodynamics and flight science
Theme Co-Leads: Dr Abdessalem Bouferrouk; Dr Davood Asadi
The Aerodynamics and Flight Science research theme brings together advanced expertise in computational modelling, simulation, and experimental methods (including wind tunnel testing) to address challenges across the full spectrum of aerospace engineering. Our research spans fundamental investigations to industry-driven, on-demand solutions, supporting innovation in both conventional and next-generation aerial and space systems. The group has a strong track record of delivering high-quality research projects, industrial collaborations, and consultancy across multiple domains, including aircraft design, propulsion, aerodynamics, flight dynamics, and space technologies.
Research topics:
- Aerodynamics and acoustics
- Aero-elasticity and flutter
- Autonomous flight and UAV systems engineering
- Flight mechanics, dynamics and intelligent control systems
- Space technology
Sustainable energy technology
Theme Co-Leaders: Dr Shine Win Naung; Dr Mehdi Rakhtalarostami
The Sustainable Energy research theme advances next‑generation clean‑energy technologies through high‑fidelity numerical simulation, multi‑physics modelling, and targeted experimental studies. Research under this theme covers a broad range of energy‑harvesting and conversion systems, including wind energy, solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy, hydropower, marine and tidal energy, and fuel‑cell technologies. The work aims to improve the performance, reliability, and efficiency of these systems by developing accurate predictive models and validating them through controlled experiments.
Research topics:
- Aero-mechanical of blades
- Fuel cell
- Hybrid and electric vehicles
- Vibration and control
- Wind turbines
- Hydrogen powered aircraft
Multi-physics technology
Theme Co-Leaders: Dr Budi Chandra; Dr Jun Yao
The Multi-physics Technology research theme explores complex physical problems that are closely related to real world industry applications, ranging from multi-phase flow and mass momentum transfer, thermofluids and combustion, flow structure interactions, conjugate heat transfer. The aim is to enhance the understanding of system performance and develop innovative approaches to improve systems' reliability, efficiency, and sustainability in the context of the existing and new emerging challenges, using advanced multi-physics, multi-disciplinary, multi-scale computations.
Research topics:
- Combustion and propulsion
- Digital twins
- Flow and structure interactions
- Structure integrity and optimisation
- Aero-acoustics
- Thermal management
- Multiphase and interfacial flows
- AI-assisted multi-physics simulations