Research profiles

ERASMO CHIAPPETTA

This programme of research titled “Investigation into novel designs for mechanical gearing” is an industrial research project. The aim of this PhD, funded by “Norbar Torque Tools Ltd.”, is to develop, evaluate and optimise a new design of gears to satisfy the particular requirements of high output epicyclic torque multipliers, suitable for use in large scale mechanical applications. Epicyclic transmission systems, in recent years, have been the focus of much interest mostly because they represent a viable solution for many of the applications in which High Power Density (HPD) is required. Their physical disposition, with concentric axes, allows weight reduction and compactness, characteristics that are highly desirable for the market. The proposed research is to develop a new gear design approach specifically for epicyclic gear trains that work in low-speed high-torque conditions. To this end a procedure based on Finite Element Method analysis has been developed. This is capable of modelling gear pairs and gear systems with the possibility of modifying the design parameters through an optimisation routine.

MIGUEL FERNANDES FERREIRA

The typical automotive suspension system is composed of a spring and damper installed at each wheel of the vehicle. The characteristics of the spring/damper pair are carefully selected in order to confer the desired behaviour to the vehicle. Generically, automotive suspension should promote traction and stability during dynamic manoeuvres while providing comfort to passengers. The challenge in automotive suspension design arises from the conflicting nature of the parameters needed to achieve a balanced behaviour. Current passive systems employ dampers with nonlinear characteristics that provide different levels of force depending on the velocity, and sometimes position, of the damper. The correct choice of nonlinear characteristics can achieve a compromise that confers the intended characteristics. Achieving the optimal setup is a complex task that typically relies on iterative methods that require a large amount of time and resources as well as testing grounds or specialised equipment. Virtual simulation has become an important tool for optimisation however, due to the complex nature of the problem being addressed this method tends to require a large amount of computational resources. The development of a set of parametric equations capable of determining the optimal damper functions for a wide range of vehicles and applications would address the current issues related to optimising a passive system without the excessive cost and complexity of implementing an active system.

MOLLY FITCHES

The glucose regulatory system is responsible for ensuring sufficient energy levels and is tightly regulated through a network of hormones and signalling pathways. The aim of this project is to use ordinary differential equations to model the interactions and relationships between the key components in the glucose regulatory system during exercise. A particular focus is given to glucagon, the primary counter-regulatory hormone for blood glucose.

CHRIS HOLMES

Investigating techniques on data capture to allow monitoring of driver/vehicle performance and behaviour giving clear direction for design/system development. My general interests are mainly orientated around solving real time simulations that can be used for analysis or control purposes. I enjoy designing and developing accurate cost effective solutions that can help predict and explain real world behaviour through empirical techniques.

JOAO LARANJEIRA

The efficient use of light-weight and high performance materials in engineering components manufacture is a global tendency to reduce structural weight, materials use and manufacturing costs, in order to overcome limited resources availability and environmental drawbacks. The optimisation of complex engineering solutions that meet performance and sustainability requirements from strategic industries results from designing multi material joints that exhibit a suitable combination of material properties for a given end use application. Although diverse analytical and numerical design software does exist on the market to optimise joint design, this evaluation requires full understanding of the various joining methods, as well as the physical, chemical and mechanical material properties involved in the joint, under service conditions. For material combinations with significant different chemical properties (e.g. light weight metals and polymers) and/or physical properties (e.g. coefficient of thermal expansion), adhesive bonding is generally accepted as being the preferred joining method, as long as the adhesive is compatible with each one of joined materials and it keeps the incompatible materials from intimate contact with one another. However, the characterisation of bonded joints behaviour under service conditions in terms of performance may be a complex task as a great variety of parameters needs to be assessed. In this project, a performance based methodology for simplification of the selection process of adhesives joining multi-materials is proposed to be developed and experimentally validated.

GIUSEPPE NASELLI

I graduated in 2008 with a MPhys in Physics and Microelectronics at the University of Catania, Italy. In 2013 I obtained a Honour degree (BEng) in Motorsport Engineering receiving the “Daniel Addyman Award for Outstanding Performance in Formula Student Design” at Oxford Brookes University.Being a student at Oxford Brookes University gave me the opportunity to be part of one of the most winning UK Formula Student teams. After the first 2 years as team member of the team (2010-2011), I did my placement year as Oxford Brookes Racing Team Leader (2012). That year the team was the best UK team in the Formula Student competition and my knowledge and experience as engineer and as manager increased exponentially. The year after (2013), I was part of the team again and this time as Suspension Group leader with specific duties as Vehicle Dynamicist and Performance Engineer I am carrying out my research in collaboration with Gould Engineering. I wish to thanks them immensely for giving me the opportunity to work on such a performing car as the GR59. Research scope: vehicle dynamics, optimization, 4-post rig, modelling, dampers, tires modelling,optimization with genetic algorithm and multi-start techniques.

DAVID ONSTENK

The principal aim of the PhD programme is to perform high-accuracy real-gas exergy analyses to understand the frontier carbon saving potential of novel extreme-pressure supercompound engines. The research is estimated to be a leading contribution to innovation in the field of ultra-clean, low-carbon engines.

CHUKWUDI OKEKE

Development of a robust failure prediction model for thermoplastic assembly in the automotive lamps subjected to vibration loading. Chukwudi graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 2010 with a BEng (Hons) in Automotive Engineering. After graduation, Chukwudi joined Federal Mogul Corporation in their technical centre based in Chapel-en-le-Frith where he worked in the area of Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH) of Automotive and Railway brakes development. In 2012 Chukwudi joined the Design & Development team at Wipac Ltd. His work in the development of high technology Automotive LED lighting for premium vehicles covers simulation, modelling, testing in climatic, vibration and classical shock.

DAVIDE SCIORTINO

The main aim of my research project is to find relevant connections between engine-out particle emissions, combustion characteristics and air – fuel mixture preparation. The research will be carried out with a modern Gasoline Turbocharge Direct Injection (GTDI) engine equipped with the wall-guided direct injection technology. These features have shown issues on Particulate Matter (PM) emissions due to fuel impingement on solid surfaces. Investigating new ways of deploying existing technology to minimise particles emissions is today very much essential. Correlations between PM emissions and combustion characteristics have been proved but further investigation is necessary as often the results about soot emissions are unpredictable. Mixture preparation equation will be obtained using both experimental data and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling techniques. The equation will help to identify the optimal mixture preparation for minimizing PM emissions. PM measurements will be taken across a range of part-load, steady-state, fully-warm engine operating conditions, selected to reflect real inner-city and cruising driving conditions. Particle number density, mass concentration and geometrical diameter at various engine running conditions will be measured using a Differential Mobility Spectrometer (DMS). A reference fuel of known composition will be used for the investigation to avoid pump fuel variation and ensure repeatability.  

ADAM STEVENS

Formula Student is an exclusive competition to universities and colleges from around the world, to design and build a single seat race car to push the technical and practical ability of the students involved. Started in 2006, the V-Twin project aims to create the first student designed and built powertrain systems bespoke for the series, building on the success and heritage of the university’s team. The purpose of my research project is to complete the decade-long development of the engine and its advanced control systems: creating real data from which these systems can be iteratively adjusted through experimentation, this will improve the system’s performance and drivability for future vehicle installations. The broad range of research conducted, including control system design and calibration, extends published work and theories in the application of the V-Twin engine with additional resource constraints and complexities. The project helps to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and practical testing, giving a wide range of opportunities and challenges to those involved. The formula student team has great links with industry and academia, providing a rare opportunity to make an impact on a project of such magnitude.

YANLI QI

This work originated due to diabetes now reaching epic proportions in the Western World (Shaw et al., 2010). Diabetes is the body’s inability to control blood glucose levels (Alberti and Zimmet, 1998). Self-monitoring of glucose is an effective way to avoid complications of diabetes (Vashist, 2013). For this reason, it is very important to have devices that can accurately measure these levels. Currently, it is possible to do this, but most of the devices are invasive, that is, they require a blood sample to be taken (Malik, et al., 2015). This can be extremely difficult, painful, and does not allow continuous monitoring. For this reason, this is a proof-of-concept MSc research project, which focuses on a technology that will allow for the development of non-invasive blood glucose measurement devices. The predominant bias will be towards proving that the signal strength in a resonant microwave cavity is affected by the levels of glucose within a solution (Elkady et al., 2013), – hence setting the way forward for future testing on blood samples. The source and receiver of the microwave signal will be 2.4GHz licence-free Wi-Fi transceivers. The received signal will be digitised for processing by a microprocessor based system – which is currently planned to be an Arduino open-source system.  

SADDAM ZOUROB

The overall aim of the project is to develop a method of removing artefacts from biomedical signals that in the future could be used in bio-monitors, such as ECG machines, to aid interpretation and diagnosis by physicians. The project includes an investigation and analysis of the cause of artefacts (unwanted signals) and assess the current approaches in minimizing these artefacts. In addition, I will be designing active electrodes to maximize the signal to noise ratio of ECG signals. The proposed active electrodes will also be equipped with special electric circuits to capture body/electrode relative movement which is a major cause of artefacts. Moreover, I will simulate the design using software techniques and then, refine, build and test a working prototype of the electrodes. When the hardware is working and the signal to noise ratio is maximized, I will develop signal processing techniques to minimize artefacts. Finally, following artefact reduction, I will be presenting the data in a format (computer application) suitable for later display and diagnosis. I am well motivated by my supervisors and their continuous support and help. The research environment provided by the faculty is very helpful and besides that, the ability to access other libraries’ resources makes the research process smoother.