Engineering Analysis Simulation and Tribology Research Group (EAST)
We embrace the core disciplines of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer.
Our research sits within the School of Engineering & the Built Environment and is focused on the modelling of energy supply and demand and associated environmental pollution, tribological life cycle (wear and scuffing) analysis, 'clean technology' aspects of internal combustion (IC) engines, and advanced vehicle energy studies (key concern of the Foresight Exercise, the Research Councils and European Union programmes).
We also conduct fluid flow and convective heat transfer research focusing on the theory of convection in tube bundle cross flow optimisation and jet-flows. IC engine research concentrating on CFD and finite element (FE) studies, of induction system models and predictive simulation tools, and performance enhancement of turbocharger compressors and combustion.
Our group also carries out research in three-phase slurry flow optimisation.
Our current projects include:
- design, development of air atomizer to administer Airborne 10 into the atmosphere
- design development and patenting of renewable energy extraction from the ocean
- development of the world's first known theoretical tribology simulation package based on numerical and genetic algorithms
- development of carbon footprint assessment and calculations based on principles of simultaneous engineering
- development of the world's most secure card less transaction system based on genetic algorithms
- manufacturing process heat recovery and water recycling system design
- development of the new techniques for experimental probabilistic design method.
We also carry out research into structures, focusing on the study of nonlinear problems as applied to mechanical energy absorbers, from localised shell and panel buckling to simplified models with modified material cards that converge to an accurate solution in fraction of the time compared to regular nonlinear FE codes. We’ve made significant advances using HYPERWORKS, LS-DYNA 3D, ANSYS and PAMCRASH have been made in modelling the folding of vehicle structure and impact barriers during crash tests. Our research into design and testing of passive and active energy absorbers for earthquake damping and roadside pedestrian protection systems are core activities of this sub-area. Our group has hosted engineers from Over Arup and Ford Premier groups.
We offer our Engineering & the Built Environment PhD and have also identified a range of innovative research project opportunities for postgraduate researchers.
Our vision
Our vision is to become a nationally and internationally known for design and simulation and recognised for our outstanding education, research and outreach programmes, and innovative solutions in learning and teaching.
Our research produces significant revenue and profit and generates innovative commercial ideas. We offer valuable assistance to other parts of our Faculty and University.
Studies and analysis provision
We provide comprehensive support for rigorous quantitative or qualitative studies and analyses. We have expertise in design, real time tribology, stress/dynamic stress, thermal/thermal stress, fluid/conjugate flow, manufacturing/process simulation, to provide formal and informal studies, from study planning, to data collection, to model selection or development, to experimental design, to experiment execution, to results interpretation, to conclusions and recommendations, to writing and briefing a final report. We can perform some or all of these activities with very experienced and qualified staff.
Modelling and simulation
We can offer comprehensive support for clients who need design, development and/or evaluation of computer-based models and simulations.
We can design models and pass the design to a client-designated development team, or we can carry the design through development and test and evaluation ourselves. We also offer test and evaluation services to clients who wish to have independent verification and validation conducted on existing models or models being considered for adoption.
Engineering solution
We design, develop and implement turn-key engineering solutions to our clients most challenging problems. Most of our solutions are automated and implemented in software, but if a hardware component is also required, we partner with the appropriate hardware vendor to provide an integrated solution. We prefer to tackle engineering problems that others have tried and failed to solve or elected not to tackle because they are considered 'intractable'.
Examples of areas where we've designed, developed and implemented engineering solutions include: simulation of electrochemical machining processes (dynamic changing boundary FE analysis), real-time engine liner ring tribological assessment/simulation, dynamic mass measurement to 99% accuracy, patented compact heat exchanger, FE analysis of impact barrier patented 3D continuous barrier system, active earthquake absorber system, mechanical energy absorber system, flood barrier system solution, thermobiometrics systems, process optimization systems. We've developed chip embedded thermal measurement systems and have experience with both military and commercial/industrial systems.