Skip to main content
Menu
Dr Chris Willman

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.

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

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 View PDF
@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"
}

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 View PDF
@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 View PDF
@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 View PDF
@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 View PDF
@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 2022 ICE Forward Conference, ICEF 2022

BibTeX View PDF
@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 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"
}
View all

DPhil Opportunities