Application of risk and reliability methods in engineering domains has been in existence as a research area for over 40 years.  Our research focusses on advances in assessment methods to tackle the complexities of modern-day systems – multi-functionality, dynamic operating environments, and increasing levels of dependencies and uncertainties.   These issues are exacerbated by systems now being systems-of-systems, with requirements to be highly integrated across different platforms, have seamless interoperability, where maximising performance is now a complex multi-criteria decision-making process.   

With a clear focus on aviation and automotive transportation, this research supports the transition to a net zero carbon future.  Priorities include enabling safety in autonomous vehicles and the connected infrastructure and maximising hybrid & electrified powertrain performance through degradation analysis and health monitoring.

The research at component level, in better understanding degradation mechanisms in new emerging technologies like batteries and fuel cells, is supported by experimental lab facilities including an environmental chamber facilitating high and low temperature operating conditions.

At system level, research in novel health monitoring methods leading to increased levels of accuracy for diagnostics and improved prognostics i.e. remaining life prediction enables improved maintenance strategies and ultimate improved system performance.

Activities we address include but are not limited to:

• Component failure analysis
• Battery & fuel cell degradation
• Powertrain health monitoring
• Enhanced Model- and data-based diagnostics
• Model-, data-, expert knowledge-based system prognostic methods
• Advanced reliability model generation
• I-O-T enabled Predictive maintenance
• Optimised fleet maintenance strategies
• Risk evaluation in autonomous domains
• System performance under uncertainty
• Quantified models for transportation resilience

Industry sectors covered:

The group works with partners covering a wide variety of industries:

• Transport – aeronautical and automotive
• Energy – low carbon technologies
• Manufacturing – end of life processes
• Public Sector – emergency services