Dr Chris Willman studied Physics at the University of Oxford, graduating with an MPhys in 2012 and completing a DPhil on “Laser diagnostics for spatially resolved thermometry in combustion and flows” in 2016. He then joined the Department of Engineering Science as a Post-Doctoral Research Assistant in the Thermal Propulsion Systems research group. Chris has been a lecturer at St Hugh’s College since 2019, following a year as Director of Studies for Engineering at Harris Manchester College.
Research Interests
Chris’ research involves the design and application of optical diagnostic techniques for flow measurements. Fluid flows are critical to a wide variety of fields, from thermal propulsion systems in the transport sector to inhaler sprays for respiratory drug delivery. The remote nature of optical techniques enables non-invasive measurements of flow properties in locations or at timescales which are inaccessible to physical probes.
Chris has a particular interest in developing novel measurement capabilities, such as real-time remote measurement of local gas pressure and temperature using Laser-Induced Grating Scattering (LIGS). He is also investigating mixing processes and flame propagation inside ultra-lean internal combustion engines using Particle-Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF), contributing to the design of higher efficiency and reduced emissions hybrid powertrains by validating Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations.
Research Groups
Current Projects
Optical Diagnostics for Hybrid Thermal Propulsion Systems
Optical measurement of flow and ultra-lean combustion properties to support the development of a hybrid thermal propulsion system with an equivalent or lower environmental cost than charging a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) from the EU-averaged grid.
Recent Publications
Inexpensive multi-plane particle image velocimetry based on defocusing: proof of concept on two-component measurement
He Q, Willman C, Stone CR & Williams B (2023), Physics of Fluids
BibTeX
@article{inexpensivemult-2023/6,
title={Inexpensive multi-plane particle image velocimetry based on defocusing: proof of concept on two-component measurement},
author={He Q, Willman C, Stone CR & Williams B},
journal={Physics of Fluids},
publisher={AIP Publishing},
year = "2023"
}
Multi-plane PIV using depth of field for in-cylinder flow measurements
Willman C, He Q, Williams BAO, Stone R & McAllister M (2023), SAE Technical Paper Series
BibTeX
@inproceedings{multiplanepivus-2023/4,
title={Multi-plane PIV using depth of field for in-cylinder flow measurements},
author={Willman C, He Q, Williams BAO, Stone R & McAllister M},
booktitle={WCX SAE World Congress Experience 2023 },
year = "2023"
}
Inexpensive multi-plane particle image velocimetry based on defocusing: proof of concept on two-component measurement
He Q, Willman C, Stone R & Williams B (2023)
BibTeX
@misc{inexpensivemult-2023/1,
title={Inexpensive multi-plane particle image velocimetry based on defocusing: proof of concept on two-component measurement},
author={He Q, Willman C, Stone R & Williams B},
year = "2023"
}
INVESTIGATION OF FLOW AND FLAME PROPAGATION IN A SPARK IGNITION DIRECT INJECTION ENGINE USING PARTICLE IMAGE VELOCIMETRY
Shen L, Willman C & Stone R (2022), Proceedings of ASME 2022 ICE Forward Conference, ICEF 2022
BibTeX
@inproceedings{investigationof-2022/1,
title={INVESTIGATION OF FLOW AND FLAME PROPAGATION IN A SPARK IGNITION DIRECT INJECTION ENGINE USING PARTICLE IMAGE VELOCIMETRY},
author={Shen L, Willman C & Stone R},
year = "2022"
}
On the use of particle image velocimetry (PIV) data for the validation of Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations during the intake process of a spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engine
Shen L, Willman C & Stone C (2021), International Journal of Engine Research
BibTeX
@article{ontheuseofparti-2021/9,
title={On the use of particle image velocimetry (PIV) data for the validation of Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations during the intake process of a spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engine},
author={Shen L, Willman C & Stone C},
journal={International Journal of Engine Research},
publisher={SAGE Publications},
year = "2021"
}
Pressure measurement in gas flows using laser-induced grating lifetime
Willman C, Le Page L, Ewart P & Williams B (2021), Applied Optics, 60(15), C131-C141
BibTeX
@article{pressuremeasure-2021/5,
title={Pressure measurement in gas flows using laser-induced grating lifetime},
author={Willman C, Le Page L, Ewart P & Williams B},
journal={Applied Optics},
volume={60},
pages={C131-C141},
publisher={Optical Society of America},
year = "2021"
}
Manifold reduction techniques for the comparison of crank angle-resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) data and Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations in a Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI) engine
Fang X, Shen L, Willman C, Magnanon R, Virelli G et al. (2021), International Journal of Engine Research
BibTeX
@article{manifoldreducti-2021/4,
title={Manifold reduction techniques for the comparison of crank angle-resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) data and Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations in a Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI) engine},
author={Fang X, Shen L, Willman C, Magnanon R, Virelli G et al.},
journal={International Journal of Engine Research},
publisher={SAGE Publications},
year = "2021"
}
Quantitative metrics for comparison of in-cylinder velocity fields using particle image velocimetry
Willman C, Scott B, Stone R & Richardson D (2020), EXPERIMENTS IN FLUIDS, 61(2)
BibTeX
@article{quantitativemet-2020/2,
title={Quantitative metrics for comparison of in-cylinder velocity fields using particle image velocimetry},
author={Willman C, Scott B, Stone R & Richardson D},
journal={EXPERIMENTS IN FLUIDS},
volume={61},
year = "2020"
}
Multi-Plane PIV Measurements in a Gasoline Direct Injection Engine
Shen L, Willman C, Stone R, Lockyer T, Magnanon R et al. (2020), SAE Technical Papers(2020)
BibTeX
@inproceedings{multiplanepivme-2020/1,
title={Multi-Plane PIV Measurements in a Gasoline Direct Injection Engine},
author={Shen L, Willman C, Stone R, Lockyer T, Magnanon R et al.},
year = "2020"
}
Cycle-to-cycle variation analysis of two-colour PLIF temperature measurements calibrated with laser induced grating spectroscopy in a firing GDI engine
Willman C, Stone R, Davy M, Williams B, Ewart P et al. (2019), SAE International Journal of Advances and Current Practices in Mobility, 1(4), 1404-1419
BibTeX
@article{cycletocyclevar-2019/4,
title={Cycle-to-cycle variation analysis of two-colour PLIF temperature measurements calibrated with laser induced grating spectroscopy in a firing GDI engine},
author={Willman C, Stone R, Davy M, Williams B, Ewart P et al.},
journal={SAE International Journal of Advances and Current Practices in Mobility},
volume={1},
pages={1404-1419},
publisher={SAE International},
year = "2019"
}
