Professor Iakovos Tzanakis
Professor in Engineering Materials
School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics
Role
Iakovos Tzanakis is a Professor in Engineering Materials in the School of Engineering,
Computing and Mathematics (ECM) at Oxford Brookes University. He leads the Sustainable
and Resilient Futures (SRF) Network, the Materials Processing and Modelling (MPM)
research group, and is the lab lead for the Ultrasonics Cavitation Processing (CAV-iT) Lab.
Iakovos joined Oxford Brookes University as a Lecturer in 2016 gaining promotions to
Senior Lecturer (2017), Reader (2018) and Professor in 2019.
Prior to joining Oxford Brookes, Iakovos was a Research Fellow at BCAST, Brunel
University London (2013–2016), where he pioneered advanced characterisation of ultrasonic
cavitation in liquid aluminium as part of the EPSRC-funded UltraMelt project.
From 2010 to 2012, he worked as a Research Fellow at Bournemouth University, focusing on
tribology and cavitation erosion of scroll expanders in collaboration with Energetix Group
(UK).
He holds a PhD in Tribology and Design from Bournemouth University (2010), an MSc in
Energy Systems and the Environment from the University of Strathclyde (2007), and a BEng
in Mechanical Engineering from Greece (2005).
Teaching and supervision
Courses
Modules taught
Iakovos is a module leader for the Engineering Materials module for Year 1 Engineering students (a cohort of more than 150 students). His teaching focuses on applying ‘real-world’ engineering design and operations and includes the latest information relating to his research.
Supervision
Iakovos is currently supervising 2 Research Fellows, 3 PhD students and a number of MSc students.
Research Students
| Name | Thesis title | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Antim Gupta | Optimisation strategy of VAWT farms based on advanced numerical modelling | Active |
| Justin Morton | On the fundamental mechanisms of ultrasonic assisted liquid phase exfoliation of two-dimensional nanomaterials | 2022 |
| Abhinav Priyardashi | Influence of ultrasonic melt treatment on the fragmentation of primary intermetallics in Al based alloys | 2022 |
Research
Iakovos main field of research is on the fundamentals and applications of cavitation
processing and bubble dynamics, spanning both acoustic and hydrodynamic cavitation with
major contributions to modern views in areas such as ultrasonic cavitation melt processing,
degradation of PFAS chemicals and ultrasonic atomization for Additive Manufacturing.
He has established and leads a multi-disciplinary ultrasonic processing research facility
within ECM with core activities ranging from structural materials (aluminum) and functional
2D nanomaterials (graphene) to composite systems (thermoplastic, metal-matrix),
engineering emulsions (oil/water systems, self-lubricating monotectic alloys) and cavitation
resistance materials (steels, thermal coatings) including application of hydrodynamic
cavitation for production of 2Ds and water purification at a scale.
The focus of his work is primarily experimental, using advanced in-situ diagnostics:
- a Photron SAZ-2100K high-speed camera capable of 2.1 million frames per seconds,
- Particle Image Velocimetry (TSI),
- and synchrotron X-ray radiography
He also uses acoustic characterization tools, such as NPL-calibrated (in the range of 8
kHz–30 MHz) hydrophones and high-temperature cavitometers (up to 800 °C) with sensor
probe size ranging from 10 μm to 4 mm. This advanced experimental configuration enables
real-time monitoring of bubble activity and acoustic flows, resolving cavitation and shock
wave spectra in various low and high temperature liquids for applications in materials
processing, biomedical (e.g. cancer therapies) and energy (e.g. hydrogen and fuel cells).
Parallel activities include wind energy, tribological studies of biomimetic surfaces, and
nanomaterial toxicity for drug delivery
Iakovos is currently a Principal Investigator and Project Lead on several EPSRC, Royal
Society, British Council and EU-funded projects. He has authored more than 100 publications (Scopus,
H-index 30) with over 3000 citations.
Recent major projects:
- UltraMelt2 (EPSRC) – Scaling up eco-friendly cavitation melt treatment.
- EcoUltra2D (EPSRC) – Developing sustainable, scalable ultrasonic exfoliation of 2D materials.
Groups
Projects as Principal Investigator, or Lead Academic if project is led by another Institution
- Large Scale Exfoliation of 2D nanomaterials using an Environmentaly Friendly Hybrid Cavitation Reactor (01/03/2023 - 28/02/2026), funded by: Royal Society, funding amount received by Brookes: £133,121
- Seatwirl Co-Funded Studentship (01/01/2023 - 30/06/2026), funded by: SeaTwirl AB, funding amount received by Brookes: £46,294
- Performance-driven design of Aluminium alloys for Additive Manufacturing (PAAM) (01/08/2022 - 31/07/2025), funded by: Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), funding amount received by Brookes: £358,184
Publications
Further details
- Listed in Stanford University’s top 2% of the world's scientists (2022-to date)
- Guest Editor: (2021–present) for Ultrasonics Sonochemistry (IF: 8.7) and (2020-21) for Materials (IF: 3.7)
- Reviewer for a number of funding bodies (EU, EPSRC, DFG etc.)
- Consultant for ERC starting grant applications
- External evaluator for promotions in Chinese Universities
- Symposium co-organiser at the TMS Annual Meeting and Exhibition
- Book chapters: Solidification Processing of Metallic Alloys Under External Fields (Springer, 2018) and Power Ultrasonics: A Handbook of Applications of High Power (Woodhead, 2021)
Media
Iakovos research has demonstrated far-reaching potential, receiving significant global
attention and media visibility. His pioneering work on vertical-axis wind turbines has been
featured in high-profile international outlets such as Forbes, The Independent, The New
Yorker, and the Oxford Mail, reaching a diverse global audience. The coverage extended to
podcasts and radio interviews on major stations such as MarketScale in the USA and Proto
Thema Radio in Greece (segment in Greek, starts at 37 minutes onwards). In parallel, his
groundbreaking research on sustainable wastewater treatment, particularly in tackling PFAS
“forever chemicals,” has also drawn significant attention. It has been covered by BBC Radio,
ITV and BBC News, and featured on the BBC Click technology show (watch from 9:45).
This high-impact visibility highlights the interdisciplinary reach and societal relevance of
Iakovos work across the energy and environmental sectors.