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Christopher Willman Square

Dr

Chris Willman DPhil MPhys

Post-Doctoral Research Assistant

TEL: 01865 283 093
COLLEGE: St Hugh's College

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.

ORCID

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

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 View PDF
@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 View PDF
@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 View PDF
@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 View PDF
@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 View PDF
@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 View PDF
@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"
}

Novel metrics for validation of PIV and CFD in IC engines

Scott M, Willman C, Stone R, Virelli G, Magnanon R et al. (2019), WCX SAE World Congress Experience 2019, 0716

BibTeX View PDF
@inproceedings{novelmetricsfor-2019/4,
  title={Novel metrics for validation of PIV and CFD in IC engines},
  author={Scott M, Willman C, Stone R, Virelli G, Magnanon R et al.},
  pages={0716},
  year = "2019"
}

Pressure measurement in combusting and non-combusting gases using laser-induced grating spectroscopy

Sahlberg A-L, Luers A, Willman C, Williams B & Ewart P (2019), Applied Physics B: Lasers and Optics, 125(46)

BibTeX View PDF
@article{pressuremeasure-2019/2,
  title={Pressure measurement in combusting and non-combusting gases using laser-induced grating spectroscopy},
  author={Sahlberg A-L, Luers A, Willman C, Williams B & Ewart P},
  journal={Applied Physics B: Lasers and Optics},
  volume={125},
  publisher={Springer Nature},
  year = "2019"
}

Measurement of the flows induced by fuel injection in a GDI engine

Scott B, Willman C, Stone R & Richardson D (2019), Institution of Mechanical Engineers - Fuel Systems Engines Conference 2018, 89-104

BibTeX
@inproceedings{measurementofth-2019/1,
  title={Measurement of the flows induced by fuel injection in a GDI engine},
  author={Scott B, Willman C, Stone R & Richardson D},
  pages={89-104},
  year = "2019"
}

In-cylinder temperature measurements using laser induced grating spectroscopy and two-colour PLIF

Scott MB, Willman C, Williams B, Ewart P, Stone CR et al. (2017), SAE International Journal of Engines, 10(4)

BibTeX View PDF
@article{incylindertempe-2017/9,
  title={In-cylinder temperature measurements using laser induced grating spectroscopy and two-colour PLIF},
  author={Scott MB, Willman C, Williams B, Ewart P, Stone CR et al.},
  journal={SAE International Journal of Engines},
  volume={10},
  publisher={SAE International},
  year = "2017"
}
View all

DPhil Opportunities