Alasdair Cairns

Contact

• workRoom B04 Energy Technologies Building
  Jubilee Campus
  Wollaton Road
  Nottingham
  NG8 1BB
  UK
• work+44(0)115 74 84379
• Alasdair.Cairns1@nottingham.ac.uk

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

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