Projects per year
Personal profile
Research interests
Sam Akehurst is Professor of Advanced Powertrain Systems and Research Director of IAAPS www.iaaps.co.uk. He has more than 25 years propulsion systems research experience. His research focuses on the performance of future powertrain system with respect to CO2 reduction. His current research portfolio includes a range of industrial collaborative projects in advanced Hydrogen, Methanol and gasoline engines and hybrid vehicle technology.
Prof. Akehurst leads a number of Automotive, Marine and Aerospace propulsion system projects with major OEMs.
Research interests
Future Internal Combustion Engine technology
Advanced Transmission Systems
Turbocharging and boosting systems
Thermal management of Powertrain systems
Powertrain Modelling Techniques
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 14 Life Below Water
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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ECLIPSE - Electrified Chargine & Liquid-cooling Provision for Support of E-flights
Akehurst, S. (PI), Pountney, O. (CoI), Zeng, V. (CoI), Di Blasio, D. (Researcher) & Chappell, E. (Researcher CoI)
1/08/26 → 31/07/28
Project: Central government, health and local authorities
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Advanced Research in Control of Hydrogen-Electric Engines
Fletcher, T. (PI), Akehurst, S. (CoI), Sangan, C. (CoI) & Di Blasio, D. (Researcher)
Innovate UK, Innovate UK Business Connect
1/11/25 → 30/04/27
Project: Central government, health and local authorities
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HyFIVE - Hydrogen Storage, Conveyance, Fuelling, Indication and Venting
Sangan, C. (PI), Akehurst, S. (CoI), Bowen, C. (CoI), Butler, R. (CoI), Johnston, N. (CoI), Plummer, A. (CoI), Pountney, O. (CoI), Rhead, A. (CoI), Sell, N. (CoI) & Chen, Y. (Researcher)
Innovate UK, Innovate UK Business Connect
1/01/24 → 31/12/26
Project: Central government, health and local authorities
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ATI - Hydrogen Control Valve Development (FETCH)
Plummer, A. (PI), Akehurst, S. (CoI) & Sell, N. (CoI)
Innovate UK, Innovate UK Business Connect
1/09/23 → 31/10/26
Project: Central government, health and local authorities
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UK-HyRES: EPSRC Hub for Research Challenges in Hydrogen and Alternative Liquid Fuels
Brace, C. (PI), Mays, T. (PI), Akehurst, S. (CoI), Bowen, C. (CoI), McManus, M. (CoI), Tian, M. (CoI), Jagpal, R. (Researcher) & Martino, E. (Researcher)
1/06/23 → 31/05/28
Project: Research council
Research output
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Multi-Objective Optimisation of a Hydrogen Combustion Mechanism with Direct Kinetic Modelling: Application to Combustion Engines
Ribnishki, A., Esposito, S., Akehurst, S. & Yuan, H., 1 Feb 2026, In: Fuel. 406, Part B, 136965.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Link opens in a new tab Citations (SciVal)106 Downloads (Pure) -
A Novel Deterministic Chemical Kinetic Mechanism Optimisation Technique: A Case Study
Ribnishki, A., Esposito, S., Akehurst, S. & Yuan, H., 7 Apr 2025, (Unpublished).Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster
File36 Downloads (Pure) -
A Novel Deterministic Chemical Kinetic Mechanism Optimisation Technique: A Case Study
Ribnishki, A., Esposito, S., Akehurst, S. & Yuan, H., 10 Apr 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper
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Improving the predictive capability of empirical heat transfer correlations for hydrogen internal combustion engines
Parsons, D., Yuan, H., Akehurst, S. & Esposito, S., 31 Oct 2025, In: Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power: Transactions of the ASME. 147, 10, 101004.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile7 Link opens in a new tab Citations (SciVal)251 Downloads (Pure) -
Comparison of the Predictive Capabilities of Chemical Kinetic Models for Hydrogen Combustion Applications
Ribnishki, A., Esposito, S., Akehurst, S. & Yuan, H., 15 Apr 2024.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
Open AccessFile5 Link opens in a new tab Citations (SciVal)61 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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Harry L. Horning Memorial Award
Akehurst, S. (Recipient), 2014
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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2014 ARCH T. COLWELL MERIT AWARD
Akehurst, S. (Recipient), 5 Apr 2016
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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ASME ICE Forward Best Paper Award 2025
Parsons, D. (Recipient), Yuan, H. (Recipient), Akehurst, S. (Recipient) & Esposito, S. (Recipient), 19 Oct 2025
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Best Paper ASME Internal Combustion Division 2016
Burke, R. (Recipient), Akehurst, S. (Recipient) & Dowell, P. (Recipient), Oct 2017
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Activities
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Hydrogen Capabilities Network (HCN) Cryogenic Hydrogen Workshop
Akehurst, S. (Contributor)
10 Mar 2025Activity: Knowledge Exchange (Industry, Government, NGOs) › Network
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HII thought leadership white paper
Akehurst, S. (Contributor) & Brace, C. (Contributor)
1 Jan 2026 → 30 Mar 2026Activity: Knowledge Exchange (Industry, Government, NGOs) › Consultancy
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External examiner- MSc by Research, Cranfield University Shrivenham Campus, Modelling of Tracked Vehicle fuel consumption over simulated terrain types.
Akehurst, S. (Examiner)
4 Jun 2011Activity: External examination and supervision › External examination
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ICE 2025 -17th International Conference on Engines & Vehicles for Sustainable Transport
Akehurst, S. (Chair)
15 Sept 2025 → 17 Sept 2025Activity: Academic conferences and events (excluding conference publications) › Conference or panel chair
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IAAPS (Organisational unit)
Akehurst, S. (Host)
17 Dec 2024Activity: Other contribution to the discipline › Network