Research Student

Academic Division: Energy, Fluids and Turbomachinery

Research group: Energy

Email: zc282@cam.ac.uk

Research interests

Cambridge PhD in Engineering, experienced in engineering teaching and research. Knowledgable in thermodynamics and fluid dynamics, with research interests in lowering carbon emissions energy systems, reducing thermodynamic second law (exergy) losses, and applied computational fluid dynamics (CFD). MEng MA (Cantab.) in aero, thermal, energy, and mechanical engineering. Enthusiast in transport systems, typography and lettering.

Strategic themes

Energy, transport and urban infrastructure

• Utilising low-grade heat, reducing exergy losses
• Application of thermoacoustics
• Improving connection between railway industry and the university (via CURC)
• Data-driven infrastructure design (main work via Dr. Pan)

Manufacturing, design and materials

• Precision pressure control for developing battery packs (with CamVolt)
• Railway vehicle design and manufacture (for IMechE Railway Challenge via CULES)

Research projects

• PhD Numerical modelling of thermoacoustic engines and coolers (unofficial copy)
• and other stuff

Teaching activity

• Part IA Machine Tool Lab (2020-present)
• Part IB Heat Pump Lab (2021-present)
• 3A6 Heat and Mass Transfer supervision and experiment (2024-present)
• 3GA1 Heat Pump project (2025-present)
• Supervisor on 2P4 and 3A6

Research opportunities

I am not directly involved with publishing research opportunities.

Other positions

• Vice President at Cambridge University Railway Club
• Advisor to Cambridge University Locomotive Engineers' Society
• Design Engineer at CamVolt ltd.

Department role and responsibilities

Unestablished Teaching position (ad initia)