Research labs

To work with the Energy and Storage Research Lab contact m.r.herfatmanesh@herts.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 1707 283185.

The research lab conducts research in energy efficient piezoelectric energy harvesting systems and develops functional polymers.

Bespoke laboratory equipment

• Torrey Pines EchoTherm stir hotplate to prepare mixtures at specific mixing speeds and pre-programmed temperature profiles
• ElCOMETER automatic film to create polymer films with specific thickness
• ARCTIC refrigerated circulating to quench the samples
• poling station equipped with a Spellman high voltage power supply
• Sinocera D33 test meter and a KEYSIGHT network analyser to measure the D33 constant and the impedance respectively
• bespoke 3-omega thermal conductivity measurement test rig to measure the thermal conductivity of functional materials
• 3D printer to manufacture rapid prototypes utilising bi-stable PZT piezoelectric elements
• two 24-core computing facility to perform advanced numerical simulation on energy harvesting and energy storage systems using COMSOL and ANSYS.

To work with us in the Metrology Research Lab​ contact y.k.chen@herts.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 1707 284280​

Bespoke laboratory equipment

• Smart S​cope ZIP 450 for video and multi-sensor measurement
• Faro Arm which enables highly-precise and reliable 3D measurements of both large and small parts during production and quality assurance processes
• a high performance hot disc thermal analyser and nano tester.

New laboratory investment includes testing facilities for urban wind turbines and a FTIR Analyser to enable the Energy Harvesting and Storage and Metrology research laboratories to:

• develop and characterise advance functional polymers
• develop smart functional materials for sensing applications
• develop self-powered sensors;
• development of sensors for strain field measurement and crack detection
• key pressure transduces and facilities to test urban wind energy devices.

To work with the Advanced Powertrain Research Lab contact m.r.herfatmanesh@herts.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 1707 283185.

The Advanced Powertrain Laboratory activities are supported by a specialised facility in Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH). Current research projects of approximately £500k are currently funded mainly by APC/ IUK with strong financial support from industrial partners, including two fully funded PhDs.

Engine cells

The Advanced Powertrain Laboratory has 4 engine cells, a Multi-cylinder diesel, a single cylinder diesel, a multi-cylinder petrol and an optical single cylinder petrol.

Equipment and High Performance Computing

• Testo 350 emission analyser and an AVL smoke meter for emission testing
• PHOTRON SA3 high speed camera for high speed imaging  bespoke fuel injection equipment characterisation test rig to measure fuel injection rate and quantity
• rolling road testing facility to perform engine mapping and drive-cycle emission testing
• high performance computing for numerical simulation of advanced IC engines using GT-POWER, ANSYS, CONVERGE SCIENCE and AVL FIRE.

Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) laboratory facility

• 4-post-test rig for automotive suspension testing
• PULSE Material Testing system with full set of triaxle accelerometers and 1/2" Free-field Microphone to perform modal analysis as well as acoustic emission and vibration based condition monitoring of rotating machinery and IC engine
• Transmission Loss Tube Kit (50 Hz - 6.4 kHz) to perform acoustic characterization of insulating materials for automotive applications
• Anechoic Chamber (2.5mx2.5mx3m) complemented by a comprehensive suite measurement and analysis equipment to perform Sound Power Determination
• Condition Monitoring equipped with a range of electrodynamic shakers, a SKF bearing test equipment and a bespoke gearbox condition monitoring system for the development of acoustic and vibration based condition monitoring techniques.

New laboratory investment includes a Flywheel testing facility, PLIF measurement system, PIV measurement system, PDA measurement system, single cylinder diesel engine conversion to optical to increase the labs' capabilities in

• developing advanced flywheel testing facilities for energy storage applications in the automotive and off-highway sectors
• developing low carbon energy efficient powertrain
• offering complete optical diagnostic measurement for combustion analysis
• developing dual-combustion systems
• validating numerical simulation based on optical diagnostic measurement data
• implementing new methodology to perform robust and reliable condition monitoring
• identifying fault indicators for the acoustic condition monitoring of rotating machinery
• structural analysis and mechanical testing of flywheel for energy storage.