What we do

The University of 麻豆果冻传媒's Advanced Engineering Centre fosters a vibrant research environment where researchers from both experimental and modelling disciplines work side by side to deliver world class research.

We have international recognition: we host the Advanced Propulsion Centre Spoke for Thermal Propulsion Systems, Thermal Efficiency, read our AEC and APC page; we are the only UK member of Engine Combustion Network; and we have staff involved in international committees, such as the International Heat Pipe Conference Committee.

Our researchers are based in the Advanced Engineering Building, which houses world class, cutting-edge facilities needed to tackle the most pressing engineering challenges including spray visualisation labs, engine test cells for a range of fuels (methane, ammonia, biodiesel),  the TITANZ large single cylinder engine test facility, an Environmental Chamber and vibration test labs.

Find out how to join us for consultancy, collaboration and membership 

Our advanced engineering research areas

Research is conducted within five primary areas: 

Clean mobility research

Advancing the next generation of low-carbon transport through research into sustainable maritime transport, hydrogen and ammonia propulsion, fuel spray characterisation, electric vehicles, and integrated thermal management.

Working with major external partners, we deliver world-class experimental and modelling research to accelerate the transition to zero-emission mobility.

Research theme led by

Close up of cogs on large engine. Courtesy Adobe.

Future energy research

Developing innovative solutions for energy generation, conversion, and storage to support the global Net Zero transition.

Research spans renewable energy, energy storage, waste heat recovery, organic Rankine cycles, heat pipes, biomethane supply chains, and green hydrogen systems, with strong links to industry and government policy.

Research theme led by 

Ocean going cargo ship heading for horizon. Courtesy Adobe. 

 

 

Circular manufacturing and materials research

Pioneering research in remanufacturing, sustainable production, and intelligent manufacturing systems.

Our work covers intelligent repair, process planning, digital supply chains, tooling optimisation, and robotics-enabled circular manufacturing - advising governments including BEIS, Innovate UK, G7, and international partners to advance resource efficiency and manufacturing sustainability.

Research theme led by

 Illustration of industrial area connected with digital nodes and lines.

Intelligent engineering, robotics and industry research

Intelligent Engineering, Robotics and Industry 5.0 advances the convergence of artificial intelligence, robotics, intelligent sensing, and connected technologies to reimagine how engineering challenges are addressed.

Our research develops autonomous and adaptive systems that combine machine intelligence with human expertise to enable safer, smarter, and more sustainable solutions.

Through 5G-enabled Agri-Tech, we explore connected farming, precision agriculture, real-time monitoring, and intelligent automation to transform food production and resource management.

We pioneer AI-driven predictive maintenance, fault detection, and decision-support systems that enhance industrial resilience, efficiency, and productivity. Embracing the principles of Industry 5.0, we place human-centric innovation, sustainability, and resilience at the heart of next-generation technology. By bridging advanced research with real-world applications, we foster interdisciplinary collaboration and technology transfer across agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, and public services.

Our ambition is to shape an intelligent, connected, and sustainable future where engineering innovation delivers meaningful societal and industrial impact.

Research theme led by

Robotic arm in precision engineering works

Resilient infrastructure and built environment

Building the engineering foundations for a climate-resilient society through research in structural integrity, wind turbine durability, seismic engineering, sustainable buildings, and infrastructure asset management.

We develop innovative design solutions and computational tools to ensure infrastructure withstands the increasing demands of climate change and urbanisation.

Research theme led by 

Windmill close up at sea windfarm. Research by University of 麻豆果冻传媒.

Research impact from the Advanced Engineering Centre

Research from the Advanced Engineering Centre is shared with our industry partners and disseminated through conferences, academic journals, publications and the national press. In addition, our work with governments gives us the opportunity to influence national and international practice, standards and future strategic direction. 

Reduction of heavy-duty diesel engine emissions

Our automotive research has led to the reduction of heavy-duty diesel engine emissions and, consequently, their negative impact on human health and the environment. Particulate matter (PM) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) have been reduced from EuroV levels by 66 per cent and 77 per cent, respectively, and are now in line with EuroVI legislation.

Advanced spray-guided direct injection engine

AEC researchers have helped to develop an advanced spray-guided direct injection engine, which delivers significantly increased fuel efficiency while minimising emissions. Researchers from the Centre of Automotive Engineering collaborated successfully with Ricardo UK and PETRONAS, the Malaysian technology and energy company.

New understanding of fuel sprays

Advanced Engineering Centre researchers have teamed up with industry and academics in Russia, Italy and France in a £1.3 million project to develop new understanding of fuel sprays. The research will focus on microscopic fuel droplets as they reach the combustion chamber. Current thinking is based on the premise that droplets are spherical but the new research shows that there are different shapes and it is believed that improving understanding about the processes involved will lead towards cleaner and more efficient fuels and combustion.

New hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular dynamics

We are developing a new hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular dynamics (QM/MD) model for the simulation of complex hydrocarbon molecules and the application of this model to the simulation of n-dodecane and a mixture of n-dodecane and dipropylbenzene molecules in diesel engine conditions. The solution of the time independent Schrodinger equation allows us to obtain the equilibrium geometry of a molecule or an ensemble of molecules, and to calculate the potential energy for any position of atoms and electrons in the system.  

 

Who we work with: Our recent collaborators

Academic collaboration with the Advanced Engineering Centre

University of Technology Petronas, Malaysia; Coventry University, UK; Imperial College London, UK; University College London, UK; University of Oxford, UK; Brunel University, UK; Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium; Université Paula Sabatier, France; Laboratoire de Transfert de Chaleur et de Masse Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne , Switzerland; Institude of Thermo Physics, Russia; University of Pisa, Italy; University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany; Stuttgart University, Germany; University of Sheffield, UK; British Council HE Partnership Team, China; University of Liverpool, UK; Université de Poitiers - ISAE-ENSMA (FR), France; SAE-ENSMA, France; University of Parma, Italy; Polytechnic of Milan, Italy; University of Naples, Italy; University of Padova, Italy; University of Mons, Laboratoire de Physique des Surfaces et des Interfaces, Belgium; York University Canada; University of Toronto, Canada; Aix-Marseille Université, Laboratoire IUSTI, France; Professor Thodoris D. Karapantsios, Greece; Dr Andrea Cioncolini, UK.

Industrial and business collaboration with the Advanced Engineering Centre

Sustainable Engine Systems Ltd , UK; Libertine FPE Ltd, UK; Kayser Space Ltd, UK; Ricardo, UK; Highview, UK; Lowcarbon Co. Ltd, Korea; Zotefoam , UK; BP, UK; Delphi Diesel Systems, UK; Jaguar Land Rover Limited, UK; Kalimex, UK; Lambda-X SA, Belgium; Euro Heat Pipes, Belgium; MCT Group Ltd, UK; Daimler AG, Germany; Robert Bosch GmbH, Germany; FEV GmbH, Germany; Johnson Matthey plc, UK; Honeywell, UK; Joint Research Centre, Italy; Uniresearch BV, Netherlands; IDIADA Automotive Technology SA, Spain; Siemens Industry Software SAS, France; Lund Combustion Engineering, Sweden; Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zuerich - ETH Zurich, Switzerland; Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule RWTH-Aachen, Germany; UFI Filters, Italy; Dolphon N2, UK; HiFlux Ltd, UK; Cadent, UK; CEA, France; Zircotec, UK; GA Drilling Ltd, UK; MTECH-UK Associates Ltd., UK; Advanced Analysis Limited, UK; Eurapo S.r.l., Nicola Pradella, Italy; EPSILON, Nicolas Dolin, France; Optec S.A., Yves Canivez, Belgium; Hexxcell Ltd., Dr. Francesco Coletti; Solar Tomorrow Inc., John Swift, Canada; Hephaestus Boiler Makers and Engineering, Nikolaos Lestos, Greece; Airbus Defence Space SAS, Dr. Laura Fourgeaud, France; Innovation Action Limited, UK; Circulor Ltd, UK; Oset Bikes, USA; Atc Ltd, UK.

Research outputs and projects from the Advanced Engineering Centre

Details of research publications and other outputs fostered by the centre and achieved by its members, along with funded projects delivered by the centre, can be accessed on the Advanced Engineering Centre's database of research.

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Our recently established, funded projects