Professor Mahroo Eftekhari

I have a long-term interest in developing control systems, fuzzy logic, Model Predictive Controller MPC, developing software for airport and strategies for buildings in order to reduce energy consumption while providing thermal comfort and improving occupant’s well-being. In a project we developed control strategies to control ventilation, lighting and environmental conditions according to the flight schedules. An interface was developed for controlling airport landing/take off to reduce CO2 emissions from airport terminals. In another project MPC was used to forecast the next day demand for maximising the use of renewables in buildings. Using machine learning we developed software for a thermal managing camera so that Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) can detect occupant’s comfort and automatically reduce ventilation. I have a sustained record of application for research funding from a wide range of funding bodies and industrial partners, mainly Tata Steel, Vexo and Mitsubishi R&D. The EPG and direct funding from Tata Steel have resulted in setting up Building & Industrial services Pipework Academy (BISPA www.bispa.org ). This is a unique national centre of excellence for delivering CPD courses in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and pipework systems. Interactive rigs have been designed and built in the Civil laboratories and were launched by 含羞草视频’s Vice Chancellor and the CIBSE president in July 2016.

Summary of expertise 

Indoor air quality and thermal comfort, HVAC and pipe network performance,  control systems and strategies for zero energy buildings, Digital twin.

Current research activity

• Improving the Energy Performance of Closed-loop Heating and Cooling Systems
• Improving Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) in the Built Environment by Leveraging Advanced IEQ Monitoring Systems, Simulation and Integrated Controls

Recently completed research projects

• Developing Adaptive thermal comfort for Europe
• Developing Interactive tools for Energy management of Heat pump in European houses

Durrani, F, Wesley, R, Srikandarajah, V, Eftekhari, M, Munn, S (2019) Predicting corrosion rate in chilled HVAC pipe network: Coupon vs linear polarisation resistance method, Engineering Failure Analysis, 104261, ISSN: 1350-6307. DOI: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2019.104261.

Samsuddin, S, Durrani, F, Eftekhari, M (2019) Adaptive comfort model incorporating temperature gradient for a UK residential building, Journal of Architecture Engineering Technology, 8(1), ISSN: 2168-9717. DOI: 10.4172/2168-9717.1000227.

Manaf, IA, Durrani, F, Eftekhari, M (2018) A review of desiccant evaporative cooling systems in hot and humid climates, Advances in Building Energy Research, pp.1-42, ISSN: 1751-2549. DOI: 10.1080/17512549.2018.1508364.

Maxwell, P, Durrani, F, Eftekhari, M (2016) Investigating heat loss through vestibule doors for a non-residential building, Sustainability in Environment, 1(1), pp.25-39, ISSN: 2470-637X.

Mambo, AD, Eftekhari, M, Steffen, T (2015) Evaluation of indoor environment system performance for airport buildings, International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy, 4(3), pp.73-12, DOI: 10.11648/j.ijrse.20150403.12. 

Steffen, T, Mambo, A, Eftekhari, M (2014) DESIGNING AN OCCUPANCY FLOW-BASED CONTROLLER FOR AIRPORT TERMINALS, Building Services Engineering Research and Technology, 36(1), pp.51-66, ISSN: 0143-6244. DOI: 10.1177/0143624414540292.

I contribute to learning and teaching activities across the Schools programmes including: 

Undergraduate

• Module leader Building services Technology
• Professional Skills module
• Diploma of Industrial Studies visits
• Supervision of dissertations on topics aligned to my research interests
• Undergraduate personal tutor

Postgraduate

• MSc Low Energy Building Services Engineering Programme Director
• Research Dissertation module leader
• Control and Commissioning for Low Energy Buildings module leader 
• Building Energy Supply Systems and District Energy Networks Module leader
• Contribute to Digital Buildings in a Global Design Context module
• Contribution to Building Thermal loads and systems
• Supervision of dissertations on topics aligned to my research interests
• Postgraduate personal tutor

Recently completed projects

• BISPA see www.bispa.org
• CPD courses in BIM and HVAC pipe networks
• Vexo International HVAC experimental rig
• EPG funding setting up BISPA

Career 

I have developed a supervisory control for HVAC operation during my PhD study at Oxford University. I joined Reading university as a lecturer then started teaching at 含羞草视频 university. In 2015 I was promoted to Reader in Building Services Engineering. Since 2005 I have been the course director for MSc in Low energy Building Services Engineering. The MSc is accredited by CIBSE and EI and has a strong link with industry. They provide placement, prizes and job opportunities for our graduates. I have Mentored and was MSc dissertation supervisor for 3 students winning international ASHRAE Integrated Sustainable Building Design (ISBD) competition, August 2019 ($2000.0 prize and travel expenses for one student to attend ASHRAE conference 2020 in Orlando). I was the dissertation supervisor of Ralph Amajuoyi, Winner of the CIBSE ASHRAE graduate of the year 2017 award, and also supervised Emilia Targonska, Winner of the CIBSE ASHRAE graduate of the year 2014 Award. 

Professional Affiliations

• President: UK ASHRAE Midlands Chapter
• Fellow of Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers CIBSE
• Member of American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning ASHRAE
• Member of InstR
• CIBSE accreditation panel member
• Member of East Midlands CIBSE committee board
• Chair of ASHRAE Chapters Regional Conference CRC held at 含羞草视频 university September 2018
• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy SFHEA