The Engineering Analysis, Simulation and Tribology (EAST) group embraces the core disciplines of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer.

Research on energy and the environment is focussed on: modelling of energy supply and demand and associated environmental pollution, tribological life-cycle (wear & scuffing) analysis, "clean technology" aspects of internal combustion (IC) engines, and advanced vehicle energy studies (key concern of the Foresight Exercise, the Research Councils and European Union programmes). Fluid flow and convective heat transfer research is being conducted on: theory of convection in tube bundle cross flow optimisation and jet-flows. IC engines research concentrates on CFD and finite element (FE) studies, of induction system models and predictive simulation tools; and performance enhancement of turbocharger compressors and combustion.

The group also carries out research in 3 phase slurry flow optimisation. International collaborative activities involve researchers in Urima University in Iran. The current projects include:
i) design, development of air atomizer to administer Airborne 10 into atmosphere,
ii) design development and patenting of renewable energy extraction from ocean,
iii) development of world's first known theoretical Tribology simulation package based on numerical and genetic algorithms,
iv) development of carbon footprint assessment and calculations based on principles of simultaneous engineering,
v) development of the world's most secure card-less transaction system based on genetic algorithms,
vi) manufacturing process heat recovery and water recycling system design,
vii) development of the new techniques for experimental probabilistic design method.

A sub-area within EAST takes up much of the research in structures focusing on the study of nonlinear problems as applied to mechanical energy absorbers, from localised shell and panel buckling to simplified models with modified material cards that converge to an accurate solution in fraction of the time compared to regular nonlinear FE codes. Significant advances using HYPERWORKS, LS-DYNA 3D, ANSYS and PAMCRASH have been made in modelling the folding of vehicle structure and impact barriers during crash tests. Research into design and testing of passive and active energy absorbers for earthquake damping and roadside pedestrian protection systems are the core activities of this sub-area. The team has hosted engineers from Over Arup and Ford Premier groups.

Director: Prof Hassan Shirvani (hassan.shirvani@anglia.ac.uk)

Vision

Our vision is to become a nationally & internationally known Group in Design & Simulation that is recognised for its outstanding education, research, and outreach programs, and is renowned for innovative solutions in learning and teaching.

We add value to Anglia Ruskin University by

• Producing significant revenue and profit
• Generating innovative commercial ideas
• Providing valuable assistance to other parts of the University
• Being professional: consistently objective
• Requiring little or no senior management attention/intervention except for top level "mission orders"

Studies and analysis provision

The ESA & Tribology Group provides comprehensive support for rigorous quantitative or qualitative studies and analyses. We have expertise in Design, real time Tribology, stress / dynamic stress, thermal / thermal stress, fluid / conjugate flow, manufacturing / process simulation, to provide formal and informal studies, from study planning, to data collection, to model selection or development, to experimental design, to experiment execution, to results interpretation, to conclusions and recommendations, to writing and briefing a final report. We can perform some or all of these activities with a very experienced and qualified staff.

Modelling and simulation

The ESA & Tribology Group provides comprehensive support for clients who need design, development and/or evaluation of computer-based models and simulations. We can design models and pass the design to a client-designated development team, or we can carry the design through development and test and evaluation ourselves. We also offer test and evaluation services to clients who wish to have independent verification and validation conducted on their existing models or models they are considering for adoption.

Engineering solution

The ESA & Tribology designs, develops and implements turn-key engineering solutions to our clients most challenging problems. Most of our solutions are automated and implemented in software, but if a hardware component is also required, we partner with the appropriate hardware vendor to provide an integrated solution. We prefer to tackle engineering problems that others have tried and failed to solve or elected not to tackle because they are considered "intractable". Example areas where we have designed, developed and implemented engineering solutions include: Simulation of Electrochemical machining process (dynamic changing boundary FE analysis), real-time engine liner ring tribological assessment/simulation, dynamic mass measurement to 99% accuracy, patented compact heat exchanger, FE analysis of impact barrier patented 3D continuous barrier system, active earthquake absorber system, mechanical energy absorber system, flood barrier system solution, thermobiometrics systems, process optimization systems. We have developed chip embedded thermal measurement systems. We have experience with both military and commercial/industrial systems.

Members of Engineering Simulation Analysis & Tribology Group

Head: Professor Hassan Shirvani

Staff members:

• Professor Ebrahim Sanaei (DIST)
• Professor Arthur Humphries (Marconi Visiting Professor)
• Professor David Adams (Ford Visiting Professor)
• Professor Derek Sheldon (Emeritus Anglia Ruskin)
• Professor Anthony Mileham (University of Bath)
• Dr Ayoub Shirvani
• Dr Baback Yazdani (Ford)
• Dr Iraj Mirzaee (Urimia University)
• Dr Mike Ashmead (Cellbond Composite Ltd)
• Dr Sunday Nwaubani
• Mr Norman White (Anotronic)
• Mr Habtom Mebrahtu
• Mr Ahad Ramezanpour

Research students:

• Mr Mehrdad Asadi (Cellbond Ltd)
• Mr Ahad Ramezanpour
• Mr Ramin Rahmani
• Mr Paul Taberham (Ford)
• Mr Giancarlo Minardi
• Mr Reyhan Naeem
• Mr Fawad Haq

Contact details

Professor Hassan Shirvani
Address: Head of Engineering Simulation analysis & Tribology Group
Department of Design & Technology
Faculty of Science & Technology,
Anglia Ruskin University,
Bishop Hall Lane CM1 1SQ, UK.
Tel: 0845-1963375
Email: h.shirvani@anglia.ac.uk

Industrial Collaborative research projects

The following are current list of research projects

• Development of a tornado flow with heat transfer in the induction system of an internal combustion engine. Ford Motor Company. Design subject to patent
• Buckling failure simulation of mechanical energy absorbers for automotive safety applications using non linear Finite Element Methods. (Cellbond composites)
• Product Re-engineering & design through simulation (Ford Motor Company)
• Powertrain system optimization through engineering simulation and analysis. (Ford Motor Company)
• Simulation of manufacturing processes, including the Electrochemical Machining Process using finite element method (moving boundary FE techniques). (Rolls Royce Plc)
• Conservation of energy heat recovery systems using compact heat exchangers. (Visteon Ltd Patent assessment)
• Development of a high swirl induction system (subject of next patent) (Ford Motor Company, Anotronic Ltd and Shakespeare's Ltd) discussions have also taken place with Ford premier automotive group and IMI vision.
• Tribology research, development of scuffing techniques using HFR rig. (Ford Motor Company)
• Investigation into low pressure shot blasting system using 3 phase (solid, liquid, and gas) fluid flow. (Farrow systems)
• Design development and manufacture of composite thermal conductivity test rig for composite material (Salex Ltd).
• Development of hydrocarbon (PM10) trap oil centrifuge system. (Ford Motor Company)
• Development of laser cleaning techniques; CI process Ltd.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

• 2001 to 2003 Cellbond Composites Ltd "Development of numerical tools for mechanical energy absorbers" (automotive safety).
• 2001 to 2003 Anotronics Ltd Development of metallurgically bonded Honeycomb structures
• 2002 to 2004 Glazing Vision Ltd "Vision development of concealed mechanical roof opener mechanism".
• 2004 to 2006 Finden Mill Ltd "Design & Development of dynamic grain mass measurement for the milling industry"

EPSRC

EPSRC Research Grant: three Years EPSRC/Rolls Royce Plc1996/DIPG, GR/K30513, Modelling of the Electrochemical Machining Process.

Invitations to address Seminars/conferences

2005 - Seminar, Dynamic stress analysis techniques; a tool for an effective simulation; Cellbond composites Cambridge UK.

2004 - Seminar, Future of simulation in engineering, University of Science & Technology Iran

2003 - Presenter of awards at congregation ceremony Doneshsar (Private University Iran). Addressed the audience on higher education system in the UK.

2003 - Seminar, using numerical methods as a tool and not just as processor software , Urimia University (Iran)

2002 - Invited by the Business link East to Hanover (Germany) to exhibit and address a seminar over three days on "vehicle impact safety barriers"

2002 - Invited as an exhibitor to the British Invention show and delivered a three day seminar on "product design & development management". We were awarded the inventor of the year award (industrial category) and a commendation certificate for compact heat exchanger design

2002 - Invited to a special reception on technology transfer, as part of the London String of Pearls Golden Jubilee Festival Programme. Present at this reception was the right honourable Lord Sainsbury of Turville, Minister for Science and Innovation, under minister of defence and other notable figures from the world of science and engineering.

2001 - Invited as an exhibitor to "Invent" a BBC tomorrows World exhibition and addressed awards ceremony on invention and innovation. I was awarded the lone inventor of the year award and a prize of £1600.

1999 - Invited as an exhibitor to BBC Tomorrows World inventors exhibition and addressed awards ceremony on invention and innovation. I was awarded commendation certificate for the invention.

1998 - Shirvani, H, Lecture on "Effective cooling of electronic systems" IEE gathering, venue at Marconi Research Centre 4 March 1998

1997 - Shirvani, H, A Speaker at NAFEMS (Finite Element Methods & Standards) Management Awareness Seminar, Lecture "Using the Optimisation & Adaptively In FE To Simulate ECM Process" September 1997 UK.

1996 - Shirvani, H., Lecture on "Computer Simulation of the Electrochemical Machining Process based on continuous Finite Element Method", UMIST, January 1996.

Anglia Ruskin Business fellowship; Development of Business Interactive Support Environment (BISE)

The scheme developed in 2002 as part of AHERO funding to promote me as Anglia Ruskin Business fellowship. BISE offers business via Internet and traditional methods a one-hour free of charge consultancy or a direction for obtaining the correct expertise for a particular industrial client with a problem. To date the scheme has been exploited by many SME's and big companies in the region including Ford Motor Company. A client base is now established.

The Business/University Collaboration award (2005)

During May 2005 one of my projects was warded the Business/University Collaboration award (under the most entrepreneurial project category) organised and funded by the EEDA, Anglianwater, Association of the universities of East of England, Bic, and EPSRC. Applicants were from all over the East of England, collaborating with East of England businesses and the regions Universities. The regional Assessment panel had the task of short listing amongst all regional universities for two categories the most entrepreneurial and most Innovative project. My project at APU was awarded the special category award with £5000 cash prize.

Professional practice, including consultancy

Finden Mill, project advisor on the suitability of using electronic means for dynamic weight measurements of grain leaving a silo to a mill. (on going project potential).

Farrow System Ltd, Expert witness over a dispute between Ministry Of Defence (MOD) and Farrow system "validity of patent"

Ford Motor Company and TUPY, assessment of tribological wear and scuffing on 2003/2004 production engine for Jaguar, Mandeo, and Landrover, Peugeot.

Cellbond Composite Ltd, Design, Development and stress analysis including manufacturing supervision of a stainless steel acid etching basket for the production of acid etched honeycomb elements for impact barriers.

Rolls Royce Plc, validation of the process modelling with machined experimental parts.

Vand information system - Coventry, Development of Marketing and Product Strategy (competitive design management).

University of Science and Technology - Tehran Iran.
Major contribution to the development of Engineering curriculum at postgraduate level.
Promotion of Anglia Ruskin (University's) MPhil/PhD programs overseas.
Module content development on Competitive Design Management and management of technological innovation postgraduate level (Engineering).

Urmia University Uromia Iran.
Development of postgraduate research programmes and research collaboration in conservation of energy. Recruitment of postgraduate students to Bath University 10 students per annum.

2005 - Reviewer of Journals of Institute of Mechanical Engineering

2004 - Election to Anglia Ruskin University chairman of postgraduate external examiners Panel

2003 - Book review, from design to manufacture a critical analysis. McGraw-Hill

2000 - Interview at BBC Essex Radio (Anglia Ruskin research and IP achievements & technology transfer to enhance the region economy).

1999 - Date : Member of Engineering Advisory Board Urmia University & University of Science & Technology (Iran).

1997 - 1997 : Fellowship Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowship (Under Industrial Secondment scheme) Secondment to Rolls Royce Plc. (see below for details).

List of Publications

A full list of academic Journal and Conference articles are available on demand please contact the head of the group for details.

International Patents

International Patent Number GB2392720;. 5-10-2005 ( 2002 winner of the invention of the year award Industrial Bronze)

"A heat exchanger; compact design with implemented vortex generators and change of fluid momentum in a turbulent jet"

The design is one of modular system where the charged fluid (hot stream) can divide itself into a number of flow path where implanted vortex generators (pined flat plates) enhance the heat transfer to the cool stream.

The cold stream (water/air) uses the principle of change of fluid momentum in a turbulent jet. Alternatively, the modular system may have two different heated fluids with out mixing them together.

The combination of the two fluid dynamic principles result in offering efficient heat exchange but little pressure loss in the charged fluid (hot stream) side.

The design has been assessed by one of worldwide automotive manufacturer and bench marked by Visteon radiator plant to be used as a turbocharger cooler and heat recovery unit from exhaust gases. In our opinion the design will also be suitable for petrochemical industry. Furthermore, we have also carried out extensive CFD analysis at Anglia Ruskin.

The present invention is on offer to Visteon/Ford to replace the current inter-coolers, EGR coolers and to be used as auxiliary heating unit for heat recovery in cold climates and cold start up emission control.

International Patent Number US6562226 /EP1140409B1 (2003-05-13)

"Electrochemical Machining Method"

The invention relates to a method of electrochemically machining the walls of aluminium honeycomb panels that are used to form impact barriers (vehicle crash testing). This achieves differential etching of the honeycomb cells in 3D. When a vehicle is then impacts to such panel, controlled crumpling and deformation of honeycomb cell absorb the kinetic energy of the vehicle. The advantage of the present invention over conventional methods is forming of a continues impact barrier. (Further details may be obtain from the inventor, Dr. Hassan Shirvani)
The patent has already been licensed by a company based in Cambridge.

• Author and copyright holder of the "ECMSIM & ECMSIMNG" ("ANALYSIS IN MOTION" Moving changing Boundary Finite Element) package simulating the 360 degree Electrochemical Machining process (Package has been licensed to Rolls Royce Plc on exclusive bases)