Aerodynamics, Propulsion & Electrification

Shaping the future of flight: Explore sustainable aviation and future propulsion technologies

The Aerodynamics, Propulsion and Electrification (APE) Group conducts cutting-edge research across the fields of high- and low-speed aerodynamics, propulsion, and sustainable aviation technologies.

Our work spans both experimental and computational approaches, supported by advanced facilities in the UK and access to the EPSRC Tier-2 National High Performance Computing (HPC) resources.

We focus on the development of next-generation propulsion systems and powertrains for electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft, including research into superconducting materials and disruptive technologies such as cryo-electrification for application in the transport sector. Our experimental capabilities include hosting the ESA-ESTEC Plume Regolith facility, the AWE Shock Tube, and a range of high-speed wind tunnels, which enable us to explore complex fluid dynamics and aerothermal interactions.

The APE Group contributes actively to shaping national and international research agendas, working closely with:

  • European platforms such as ACARE, EASN, and CAJU
  • UK-based initiatives including ADS (Aerospace, Defence, Security)
  • International collaborations via AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics)

Research division

  • Autonomous Systems and Connectivity

PhD opportunities

Find out more about PhD opportunities with APE:

  • PhD opportunities

Facilities

ESA Plume-Regolith Interaction Facility

We host the European Space Agency's plume-regolith interaction facility, designed to study crater formation from jet impingement. With a 70 m³ volume and a vacuum capability of 0.8 Pa, it features high-speed shadow and schlieren photography, pressure measurements, PSP, PIV, and data acquisition systems.

Download the ESA Plume-Regolith Interaction Facility Brochure (PDF)

High-Speed Fluid Dynamic Testing Facilities

Our cutting-edge facilities are dedicated to understanding compressible high-speed flows and their interactions. We actively contribute to their design and operation. Key facilities include:

  • Indraft Trisonic Tunnel
    Test section: 10 x 5 x 60 cm
    Mach number: M = 0.8 to 2.5
    Run time: 20 seconds
    Equipped with high-speed shadow and schlieren photography, pressure measurements, PSP, and PIV.
  • Shock Tube
    Test section: 10 x 10 x 40 cm
    Mach number: M = 1.3 to 2.0
    Gas options: Air, He, CO2
    Run time: 5 ms
    Equipped with high-speed shadow and schlieren photography, pressure measurements, PSP, and PIV.
  • Shock Tunnel
    Test section: 60 x 60 x 100 cm
    Mach number: M = 5 to 7
    Nozzle diameter: 15 cm
    Gas options: Air, He, CO2
    Run time: 10 ms
    Equipped with high-speed shadow and schlieren photography, pressure measurements, PSP, and PIV.
  • Trisonic Tunnel
    Test section: 15 x 21 x 48 cm
    Mach number: M = 0.8 to 3
    Equipped with high-speed shadow and schlieren photography, pressure measurements, PSP, and PIV.

We also design and develop flow control devices such as synthetic jets, dielectric barrier discharge actuators, oscillating surfaces, and vortex generators.

High Reynolds number flows for Aerospace and Automotive applications

We pioneer the investigation of novel and challenging high Reynolds flows for aerospace and automotive applications.

Electrification and cryo-electrification of powertrain and drivetrain components

We focus on electrification and cryo-electrification of powertrain components of future transportation applications, including aircraft. These powertrain components include but are not limited to fault current limiters, bus bars, cables, machines, motors and generators, and transformers.

Engineering in Extreme Environments

We focus on gas dynamics in extreme environments, typically where the Navier-Stokes-Fourier equations break down and recourse must be made to the Boltzmann equation to capture the physics of the gas flows accurately.

Design and optimisation of next-generation electric and cryo-electric aircraft

Our research objective is to integrate disruptive technologies in electrification and cryo-electrification with next-generation fuel-efficient aircraft configurations to design and optimise aircraft configurations that can meet the UK's jet zero strategy.

Lunar and Martian Futures

We aim to bring the community together in readiness for forthcoming funding opportunities, identify synergies and establish the necessary critical mass that could contribute to the vision of building a Moon-based economy in the first instance that can serve as a test bed for Mars.

Shock-Physics, Compressible Flows and Directed Energy Systems

We aim to create integrated process understanding by conducting numerical and experimental studies looking at shock-physics and compressible phenomena associated with interactions of platform technologies, spanning air and space, through challenging environments.

Industrial aerodynamics and wind engineering

Our research involves industrial aerodynamics analysis of large-scale structures and large-Reynolds number flow. We investigate flow and complex fluid-structure interactions over urban environments, offshore and onshore wind turbines, and long-span bridge structures.

Renewable energy system design and applications

We investigate various wind-powered and solar-powered systems with a focus on aerodynamics, structural design and renewable power generation.

Computational aero-hydro acoustics research

We investigate acoustic propagation in fluids — a complex wave propagation phenomenon, which informs us about far-field noise generated by various human activities.

Reliability-Centered Industrial Recommender System for Aircraft Fleet Fast Response Capabilities

We develop cutting-edge digital tools to enhance human-machine interaction in industry, using advanced algorithms and data models to optimise decisions and automate recommendations.