Athanasios Tsolakis

Professor Athanasios (Thanos) Tsolakis holds the Chair in Thermodynamics and James Watt Research Chair at the University of Birmingham's School of Engineering. As School Director of Research and head of the Clean Energy Engineering Research Group, he leads research in fuels, combustion, and emissions control. His work bridges fundamental science and industrial applications, addressing low-carbon and carbon-free energy carriers.

Education: BEng in Manufacturing Engineering (TEI of Piraeus, 1999), BEng in Mechanical Engineering (University of Birmingham, 2001), PhD in Mechanical Engineering (University of Birmingham, 2004).

Research Interests
His research focuses on combustion technologies, environmental catalysis, fuel reforming, and alternative fuels. Key areas include clean energy systems, particulate matter reduction, and synergies between propulsion and after-treatment technologies. He has pioneered studies on exhaust gas fuel reforming and catalytic systems for emission control.

Publications & Projects
Tsolakis has authored over 150 papers, with recent work on hydrogen production, ammonia combustion, and biofuel integration. Notable projects include Horizon2020’s PARTIAL-PGM and EPSRC grants on novel aftertreatment systems. His research often involves industry collaborations (e.g., Johnson Matthey, Jaguar Land Rover).

Awards & Recognition

• Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• Award of Excellence in PG Certificate in Learning & Teaching (2010)

Advising & Labs
He supervises ~6 final-year projects annually and has mentored over 25 doctoral researchers. His team operates advanced labs for fuel analysis, catalytic testing, and emissions characterization. Current projects explore ammonia-fueled engines and zero-emission propulsion systems.