Alex Askounis

Dr. Alex Askounis is a Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wolverhampton's Faculty of Science and Engineering. He previously served as a Lecturer (2018–2023) and established a lab at the University of East Anglia focused on bio-inspired engineering and multiscale energy transport. His academic journey began with a BSc in Materials Science from the University of Crete, followed by an MSc and PhD in Engineering from the University of Edinburgh (2014).

• BSc: University of Crete, Greece (2009)
• MSc: University of Edinburgh, UK (2010–2011)
• PhD: University of Edinburgh, UK (2011–2014)
• Postdoctoral: Kyushu University, Japan (2014–2018)

His research bridges mechanical engineering, materials science, and thermofluids, emphasizing bio-inspired solutions for heat transfer and fluid dynamics. Key themes include suppressing the coffee-ring effect, nanoscale wetting physics, and additive manufacturing of heat exchangers. His work has explored droplet evaporation, Marangoni flow manipulation, and thermal conductivity optimization in nanocomposites. Recent projects focus on topology-optimized heat exchangers for microelectronics and electric vehicles.

The 15 most recent publications highlight trends in droplet evaporation, phase-change heat transfer, and bio-inspired surface engineering. Topics span from thermocapillary convection in water drops to industrial suppression of nanoparticle deposition patterns. His studies often integrate multiscale thermofluids and wettability contrasts, with applications in cooling systems and pharmaceutical processes.

Dr. Askounis actively mentors students and collaborates with industries in power electronics, telecoms, and electric powertrain manufacturing. He serves on the editorial board of the Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part N. His teaching emphasizes hands-on laboratory work, covering mechanical principles, thermodynamics, and applied stress analysis.