Research Groups
Imperial recognises that innovation in the use of energy within the built environment and within transport systems is needed to make deep reductions in carbon emissions.
The College’s expertise includes electric and hybrid vehicles, transport use modelling and low-carbon heat. The following research groups are doing work on how we can build a sustainable urban environment and transport systems.
Energy Futures Lab works with a wide range of research groups at the College who are working on numerous projects in the area.
The institute's work is supported by our Low Carbon Cities and Transport Research Theme Lead and Champions.
These are a selection of the groups working under the Sustainable Power theme at the College.
Centre for Transport studies
Led by Professor Washington Yotto Ochieng, the Centre for Transport Engineering and Modelling is based within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
The team carries out teaching and research in a broad range of aspects of transport studies including transport engineering, planning, operations and management as well as geomatic engineering and surveying. They also run an intercollegiate MSc Course in Transport with University College London.
Transport & Environment Laboratory
Led by Dr Marc Stettler, the Transport and Environment Laboratory is based within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
The group’s work aims to advance our understanding and mitigate the effects of transport on the environment. Their research spans across different transport modes, uses a range of environmental monitoring and modelling approaches, and is in collaboration with a number of industry and academic partners.
Electrochemical Science and Engineering Group
Led by Dr Greg Offer, the Electrochemical Science and Engineering Group is a cross-departmental group with researchers from the departments of Mechanical Engineering, Earth Science and Engineering and Design Engineering.
The team have a wide range of areas of expertise including batteries, fuel cells supercapacitors, 3D tomography and imaging, techno-economics and additive manufacturing with a particular interest in their application in electric vehicles.
Urban Systems Lab
Led by Professor John Polak, the Urban Systems Lab is based in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
The lab exists to undertake the highest quality research in the fields of urban and cities research, in order to inform policy and the understanding of key issues affecting society. It aims to facilitate collaboration and cross-disciplinary working, provide training and thought leadership and to enhance the application and practical impact of Imperial’s research.
Turbocharger testing and research
Led by Professor Ricardo Martinez-Botas, the Turbocharger Testing and Research Group is based in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
The team has world class expertise in turbocharging and exhaust gas energy recovery. Alongside turbochargers their research interests include turbogenerators and electrical superchargers, airflow and heat transfer in electrical machines and modelling of hybrid and electric vehicles.
Payne Research Group
Led by Dr David Payne, the Payne Research Group is based in the Department of Materials.
The group’s work focuses on understanding the surface chemistry and bulk electronic structure of a wide range of materials, from oxides to metals, nanomaterials to biomaterials. One of their key project’s is RELAB, through which they are developing a novel, low temperature, lower energy recycling process for lead acid batteries.
The Composites Centre
Led by Professor Emile Greenhalgh, the Composites Centre is a multi-departmental group featuring researchers from the departments of Aeronautics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Their diverse research portfolio ranges from fundamental, exploratory research to very-focused research targeted at the immediate needs of industry. In the energy sector they are working with car manufacturers on use of new materials and creating multifunctional composites that store electrical energy.