Dr Muhammad Usman Bhutta

Dr Muhammad Usman Bhutta is a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical and Mechatronics Engineering at Anglia Ruskin University with extensive international experience in tribology, surface engineering, and engine valve-train systems. His research focuses on friction, wear, lubrication, and advanced surface coatings, with a sustained record of high-quality journal publications and international conference contributions.

Email: [email protected]

Background

Dr Bhutta joined Anglia Ruskin University in 2025 as a Senior Lecturer in Biomedical and Mechatronics Engineering. Prior to this, he served as Assistant Professor/Senior Lecturer at the National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST), Pakistan, and held research positions at Bournemouth University, UK. He obtained his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Bournemouth University, with earlier degrees from TU Dortmund, Germany, and Air University, Pakistan.

His academic career spans the UK, Germany, Pakistan, and Japan, with a strong focus on tribology, engine systems, and surface engineering. He has worked closely with international research groups and industry partners on experimental, computational, and applied research projects, contributing to funded research, consultancy, and knowledge exchange activities.

Spoken Languages

• English (fluent)
• German (intermediate)
• Urdu (fluent)
• Hindi (basic)

Research interests

• Tribology, Friction and Wear Mechanisms
• Advanced Surface and Nanocomposite Coatings
• Sustainable and Bio-based Lubricants
• Experimental Techniques in Biomedical, Mechanical and Automotive engineering

Areas of expertise

• Engineering Tribology
• Mechatronics, Instrumentation & Automation
• Engine Valve-Train Systems
• Surface Engineering and Nanocomposite Coatings
• Friction and Sustainable Lubricants
• Experimental Mechanical Testing

Areas of research supervision

• Tribology and Lubrication
• Experimental Methods and Instrumentation
• Surface Engineering and Coatings
• Internal Combustion Engine Systems
• Mechanical, Biomedical and Mechatronic System Design

Teaching

• Data Acquisition Systems
• Introduction to Biology and Biomedical Engineering
• Microcontroller Systems Design Project
• Robotics and Machine Intelligence
• Introduction to Microprocessors
• Introduction to PIC Processors

Qualifications

• PhD: Development of Nanocomposite Coatings for Enhanced Performance in Non-Conventional Lubricants under Sliding Contact, Bournemouth University, UK
• MSc: Automation and Robotics, Technical University Dortmund, Germany
• BE: Mechatronics Engineering, Air University, Pakistan

Memberships, editorial boards

Reviewer for leading journals including Tribology International.

Research grants, consultancy, knowledge exchange

• Project PI: Design, Development, and Implementation of a Data Acquisition System for Measuring the Performance Parameters of an Internal Combustion Engine. (Status: Completed)
• Project PI: Baja SAE (Design and build small off-road cars). (Status: Completed)
• Project PI: Design & Development of a Smart Ball Based Disaster Relief Surveillance Device using AI. (Status: Completed)
• Project PI: Computational Acoustic Analysis of Sound Source on Building and Human-Interaction Study. (Status: Completed)

Selected recent publications

• Bhutta, M.U. et al. (2025) ‘A novel approach to measure rotational dynamics of valvetrain components using miniature GMR chip’, Measurement, Vol 256, Part D.
• Bhutta, M.U. et al. (2024) ‘A Pareto-optimality based black widow spider algorithm for energy efficient flexible job shop scheduling problem considering new job insertion’, Applied Soft Computing, Vol. 164.
• Bhutta, M.U. et al. (2020) ‘Wear and friction performance evaluation of nickel-based nanocomposite coatings under refrigerant lubrication’, Tribology International, Vol. 148.

Recent presentations and conferences

• Influence of Hard Surface Coatings on Tappet Rotation of Direct-Acting Engine Valve Train. At: The 50th Leeds- Lyon Symposium on Tribology, 02-04 September 2025, Leeds, UK.
• Effect of Surface Treatment and Lubricant Additives on Valve Train Performance. At: The 50th Leeds- Lyon Symposium on Tribology, 02-04 September 2025, Leeds, UK.
• Recent Trends & the Progressive Developments in the Field of Tribology with Focus on IC Engines, Invited Guest Speaker at: The International Conference on Green Maritime Technology & Education 2023 (ICGMTE2023), China.