The Computational Engineering and Design (CED) Group specialises in developing advanced computational methods to solve complex engineering challenges. Our expertise spans in‑house Design Search and Optimisation (DSO), high‑fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Digital Twins and Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Multiphysics Simulation techniques. Our research is defined by the integration of these cutting-edge capabilities to solve high-stakes, real-world engineering challenges in aerospace and related sectors.
High-level areas of focus
- Aerospace systems, UAVs and autonomous control: Aircraft and UAV design, autonomous vehicle dynamics, flight control, and distributed sensing.
- Computational design modelling, machine learning and optimisation: Design search and optimisation, computational modelling, data driven (AI/ML) computing, digital twins, high-performance computing, internet of things, surrogate modelling, and uncertainty quantification.
- Materials, structures and solid mechanics: Smart materials and structures, composites, mechanical metamaterials, structural mechanics, fracture and fatigue modelling.
- Robotics, dynamics and functional systems: Nonlinear dynamics, stochastic systems, nanorobotics, and control using novel functional materials.
- Sensing, nondestructive testing and structural health monitoring: Advanced sensing technologies, nondestructive testing (NDT), and structural health monitoring (SHM) methods for aerospace systems.
Industrial impact
Our global impact is underscored by long-standing collaborations with industry leaders. We host the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) for Computational Engineering and the Airbus Noise Technology Centre, while maintaining strategic partnerships with Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing, Leonardo, and Lloyd’s Register.