Fields of Research (FoR)

• Energy Generation, Conversion and Storage Engineering ( 091305 )
  
• Automotive Combustion and Fuel Engineering (incl. Alternative/Renewable Fuels) ( 090201 )
  
• Computational Fluid Dynamics ( 091501 )
  
• Science, Technology and Engineering Curriculum and Pedagogy ( 130212 )
  
• Educational Technology and Computing ( 130306 )
  
• Numerical and Computational Mathematics not elsewhere classified ( 010399 )
  
• Mathematics and Numeracy Curriculum and Pedagogy ( 130208 )
  
• Computational Methods In Fluid Flow ( 401204 )
  
• Automotive Combustion And Fuel Engineering ( 400201 )
  
• Energy Generation ( 401703 )
  
• Numerical And Computational Mathematics not elsewhere classified ( 490399 )
  
• Mathematics And Numeracy Curriculum And Pedagogy ( 390109 )
  
• Science ( 390113 )
  
• Educational Technology And Computing ( 390405 )
  
• Mechanical Engineering ( 401700 )
  
• Numerical And Computational Mathematics ( 490300 )
  
• Fluid Mechanics And Thermal Engineering ( 401200 )
  
• Automotive Engineering ( 400200 )
  
• Specialist Studies In Education ( 390400 )
  
• Curriculum And Pedagogy ( 390100 )
  

Research interests

Turbulent Combustion Modelling.

Most of my research has been in developing implementation methodologies for the Conditional Moment Closure (CMC) model and the more general Multiple Mapping Conditioning (MMC) model. These models can be used in the prediction of the mixing process of fuel and oxidiser in a non-premixed or partially-premixed configuration (the majority of mixing occurs inside the combustion chamber in conjunction with the combustion process). During my Ph.D. at The University of Queensland (UQ), I was involved in the early development of implementation methods for MMC. This was further developed during my time at Imperial College London by combining MMC with the binomial Langevin model to create a hybrid model. I have continued to develop these models during my time at USQ.

For my research at Cambridge University, I performed a Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) study of the evaporation and combustion of fuel droplets using spark ignition. The major findings have been the categorisation of the three modes of success/failure. Research is ongoing regarding the fundamental causes of these phenomena.


Engineering Education.

Since joining USQ, I have conducted research into Engineering Education, principally into influencing the student experience in team-based courses and mathematics.

Professional memberships

Chartered Practising Engineer (CPEng)
Member, Engineers Australia (MIEAust)
Registered Practising Engineer Queensland (RPEQ)

Industry affiliations

Combustion Institute, Australia and New Zealand Section
Australasian Association of Engineering Education

USQ Research affiliations

• Institute for Advanced Engineering and Space Sciences (IAESS)
  

Currently teaching courses/programs

MEC5100 Computational Fluid Dynamics examiner
MEC5105 Combustion examiner
MEC4104 Energy Technology examiner (previous)
ENG3104 Engineering Simulations and Computations examiner (previous)

Teaching experience(Tertiary)

20 Years

Administrative responsibilities

School Coordinator (Academic), Mechanical and Electrical Engineering

Research supervisor in the area of:

• Energy Generation, Conversion and Storage Engineering ( 091305 )
  
• Automotive Combustion and Fuel Engineering (incl. Alternative/Renewable Fuels) ( 090201 )
  
• Computational Fluid Dynamics ( 091501 )
  
• Science, Technology and Engineering Curriculum and Pedagogy ( 130212 )
  
• Educational Technology and Computing ( 130306 )
  
• Numerical and Computational Mathematics not elsewhere classified ( 010399 )
  
• Mathematics and Numeracy Curriculum and Pedagogy ( 130208 )
  
• Computational Methods In Fluid Flow ( 401204 )
  
• Automotive Combustion And Fuel Engineering ( 400201 )
  
• Energy Generation ( 401703 )
  
• Numerical And Computational Mathematics not elsewhere classified ( 490399 )
  
• Mathematics And Numeracy Curriculum And Pedagogy ( 390109 )
  
• Science ( 390113 )
  
• Educational Technology And Computing ( 390405 )
  
• Mechanical Engineering ( 401700 )
  
• Numerical And Computational Mathematics ( 490300 )
  
• Fluid Mechanics And Thermal Engineering ( 401200 )
  
• Automotive Engineering ( 400200 )
  
• Specialist Studies In Education ( 390400 )
  
• Curriculum And Pedagogy ( 390100 )
  

Research topics

• Computational and Experimental Study of Flow Separation on 3D Model of Wind Turbine Blades
  
• Advanced Turbulent Combustion Modelling
  
• Investigation into Alternative Fuels
  
• Modelling of Wind-Generated Waves
  
• Development of Novel Combustors
  
• Numerical Investigation of Spray Phenomena
  
• Solar Desalination System
  
• Use of Porous Material To Contain Combustions
  
• Industrial Application of Naturally Induced Swirling Flows