Biography
Thomas Owen is a researcher at the Oxford Thermofluids Institute (OTI) at the University of Oxford. He holds a Master of Engineering (MEng) from the University of Bristol, where his Master's project focused on the design and mechanics of an autonomous walking hexapod robot. Currently, Thomas's academic focus centres on advanced thermofluids and thermal management systems. His work at Oxford involves the design, development, and experimental testing of complex heat exchangers and manifolds, with a strong emphasis on micro-manufacturing techniques. By designing and building bespoke physical test rigs, Thomas aims to bridge the gap between theoretical thermofluid dynamics and practical, high-performance engineering applications.
Research Interests
Thomas’s research centres on advanced thermal management and thermofluid systems, with a strong practical focus on manufacturing and experimental validation. His specific research interests include:
- Heat Exchangers: Designing and optimising high-performance heat exchange systems for advanced engineering applications.
- Micro-manufacturing: Utilising specialised fabrication techniques to create intricate, highly efficient thermal components at the micro-scale.
- Manifold Design: Developing complex flow distribution manifolds to optimise fluid dynamics and thermal regulation.
- Physical Test Rigs: Designing, constructing, and operating bespoke experimental rigs to physically validate the performance of novel thermofluid components.
Current Research Projects
Micro-manufactured Heat Exchangers: Developing and testing highly efficient, micro-scale heat exchangers for advanced thermal management applications.
Experimental Thermofluid Rigs: Designing and constructing physical test rigs to accurately measure real-world fluid dynamics and heat transfer in novel components.
Advanced Manifold Optimisation: Investigating the use of new manufacturing techniques to produce complex manifolds that significantly improve flow distribution and system efficiency.
