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
Observing simultaneous low temperature heat release and deflagration in a spark ignition engine using formaldehyde planar laser induced fluorescence
White SP, Willman C & Leach FCP (2025), Applications in Energy and Combustion Science, 21, 100321
BibTeX
@article{observingsimult-2025/1,
title={Observing simultaneous low temperature heat release and deflagration in a spark ignition engine using formaldehyde planar laser induced fluorescence},
author={White SP, Willman C & Leach FCP},
journal={Applications in Energy and Combustion Science},
volume={21},
number={100321},
pages={100321},
publisher={Elsevier},
year = "2025"
}
Simultaneous two-plane flame front detection using PIV based on defocusing
He Q, Willman C & Williams BOA (2024), Optics Letters, 49(3), 422-422
BibTeX
@article{simultaneoustwo-2024/1,
title={Simultaneous two-plane flame front detection using PIV based on defocusing},
author={He Q, Willman C & Williams BOA},
journal={Optics Letters},
volume={49},
pages={422-422},
publisher={Optica Publishing Group},
year = "2024"
}
Comparing real driving emissions from Euro 6d-TEMP vehicles running on E0 and E10 gasoline blends
Shankar V, Usan I, Willman C & Leach F (2023)
BibTeX
@inproceedings{comparingrealdr-2023/10,
title={Comparing real driving emissions from Euro 6d-TEMP vehicles running on E0 and E10 gasoline blends},
author={Shankar V, Usan I, Willman C & Leach F},
booktitle={SAE Energy & Propulsion Conference 2023},
year = "2023"
}
Comparing Real Driving Emissions from Euro 6d-TEMP Vehicles running on E0 and E10 Gasoline Blends
Shankar V, Usen I, Molden N, Willman C & Leach F (2023)
BibTeX
@inproceedings{comparingrealdr-2023/10,
title={Comparing Real Driving Emissions from Euro 6d-TEMP Vehicles running on E0 and E10 Gasoline Blends},
author={Shankar V, Usen I, Molden N, Willman C & Leach F},
booktitle={SAE Energy & Propulsion Conference},
year = "2023"
}
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, 35(6)
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},
volume={35},
number={067122},
publisher={AIP Publishing},
year = "2023"
}
Dynamic mode decomposition for the comparison of engine in-cylinder flow fields from particle image velocimetry (PIV) and Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations
Baker S, Fang X, Shen L, Willman C, Fernandes J et al. (2023), Flow, Turbulence and Combustion, 111, 115-140
BibTeX
@article{dynamicmodedeco-2023/5,
title={Dynamic mode decomposition for the comparison of engine in-cylinder flow fields from particle image velocimetry (PIV) and Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations},
author={Baker S, Fang X, Shen L, Willman C, Fernandes J et al.},
journal={Flow, Turbulence and Combustion},
volume={111},
pages={115-140},
publisher={Springer},
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"
}
Inexpensive multi-plane particle image velocimetry based on defocusing: Proof of concept on two-component measurement
He Q, Willman C, Stone R & Williams BAO (2023), PHYSICS OF FLUIDS, 35(6)
BibTeX
@article{inexpensivemult-2023/,
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 BAO},
journal={PHYSICS OF FLUIDS},
volume={35},
number={ARTN 067122},
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 ICE Forward Conference (ICEF 2022)
BibTeX
@inproceedings{investigationof-2022/11,
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},
booktitle={ASME ICE Forward Conference (ICEF 2022)},
year = "2022"
}
