Profile

Dr Richard Burke is Professor of Sustainable Automotive Propulsion. He was appointed Prize Fellow in Automotive Powertrain Systems in 2012 and is focused on the characterisation of these systems under dynamic operating conditions.

He has strong links with industrial and academic organisations throughout Europe and is a track chair of the ASME Internal Combustion Division for Powertrain Testing and Control.

Richard was appointed Knowledge Transfer Fellow - Developing Robust Methods for Turbocharger/Engine Matching and Design, in 2011/12.

Between 2008 and 2011, Richard developed his PhD thesisInvestigating Interactions between Engine Thermal, Lubrication and Control Systems during Engine Warm-Up.

Research

Richard's research is focussed on the characterisation of powertrain systems under dynamic conditions which are a closer representation of real world usage. His research spans mechanical and electrical components that form the basis of future powertrains as well as the human interactions with the system.

 The main aims are the optimisation of efficiency and performance through the physical understanding of a wide range of components and the interactions that occur when coupled together as system.

 His research interests include the use of fundamental heat transfer, fluid dynamics, combustion and control combined with advanced data analysis techniques.

Richard oversees experimental research projects on a range of powertrain testing facilities (engine and e-machine dynamometers, vehicle dynamometers, hot flow gas stands, Hardware in the Loop facilities and on-road evaluation. He develops new techniques to transient experimentation and measurement on these facilities to promote realism and accuracy. The work is supported by simulation research, primerily in 1D modelling environments.

PhD supervision

Interested in supervising students studying:

• Powertrain design and control optimisation
• Thermal evaluation and modelling of powertrain components
• Evaluation of powertrain behaviour in stochastic operating conditions
• Dynamic characterisation and experimental techniques

Students wishing to undertake a PhD in Automotive Propulsions Systems with strong trans-disciplinary collaboration or wishing to engage with international academicor industrial parthers through their studies are encouraged to get in touch.