Department of
Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering
 

Image of Alasdair Cairns

Alasdair Cairns

Chair in Propulsion Systems, Faculty of Engineering

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Biography

Professor of Mechanical Engineering with a background in low carbon propulsion systems within both academia and industry.

  • 2016 - Professor & Director of Powertrain Research Centre, University of Nottingham
  • 2016 - 2016 Deputy Head of Mechanical Engineering Department, Brunel
  • 2014 - 2016 Director of Teaching and Learning, Brunel University London
  • 2013 - 2016 Professor of Automotive Engineering, Brunel University London
  • 2010 - 2013 Senior Lecturer, Brunel University London
  • 2006 - 2009 Principal Research & Development Engineer, MAHLE Powertrain Ltd.
  • 2003 - 2006 Senior Research & Development Engineer, Cosworth Technology Ltd.
  • 2000 - 2002 Development Engineer, Cosworth Technology Ltd.

Expertise Summary

  • Hybrid propulsion systems integration
  • Low carbon engines and fuels (heavy duty and light duty, hydrogen, ammonia, bio and synthetic fuels)
  • Powertrain thermal management (e-machine, batteries, IC engines)
  • Advanced combustion systems (HCCI/CAI, turbulent jet ignition, dual fuel)
  • Sustainable electrical machines and drives (design, operation, manufacture)

Teaching Summary

My teaching covers Level 3 Automotive Technology, Level 4 IC Engines and Major Individual Projects.

Research Summary

My interests generally cover sustainable propulsion, with active research in the following areas:

  • Fuels for sustainable heavy duty IC engines (ammonia, hydrogen, bio/synthetic)
  • Advanced powertrain thermal management (batteries, electric machines, fuel cells and IC engines)
  • Life cycle analysis of propulsion (thermal and electrified solutions)
  • Automotive energy recovery systems (thermal and kinetic)
  • Powertrain lightweighting

Recent Publications

Future Research

We are a large and active group with broad interests across sustainable propulsion. I welcome enquiries from potential PhD candidates from Home, EU and international countries who are interested in the following research areas:

  • Fuels for sustainable heavy duty IC engines (ammonia, hydrogen, bio/synthetic)
  • Advanced powertrain thermal management (batteries, electric machines, fuel cells and IC engines)
  • Life cycle analysis of propulsion (thermal and electrified solutions)
  • Automotive energy recovery systems (thermal and kinetic)
  • Powertrain lightweighting

Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Materials Engineering

The University of Nottingham
University Park
Nottingham, NG7 2RD


telephone: +44 (0) 115 95 14081