Hywel Thomas

Professor Hywel Thomas is a Distinguished Research Professor in the School of Engineering at Swansea University, specializing in Geo-Energy and Geo-environmental Engineering. His research focuses on coupled processes such as Thermo/Hydraulic/Chemical behavior, with applications in waste disposal, ground contamination cleanup, geothermal energy, and carbon storage. He holds prestigious fellowships from the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering, and serves as President of the Learned Society of Wales.

Education & Affiliations:

• Swansea University, School of Engineering (current position)

Research Interests:

His work addresses critical challenges in subsurface engineering, including radioactive waste management, geoenergy systems, and environmental remediation. Key areas include:

• Thermo-hydraulic-chemical-mechanical-biological (THMCB) coupled processes
• Numerical modeling of porous media behavior
• Subsurface microbial processes and reactive transport

Recent Research Trends:

Publications span advanced modeling techniques (e.g., machine learning for heat transfer) and practical applications like mine water utilization for district heating. His work bridges computational methods with real-world environmental and energy challenges.

Awards & Recognition:

• Fellow of the Royal Society
• Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering
• Member of Academia Europaea
• President of the Learned Society of Wales

Grants & Supervision:

Supervised multiple PhD students on topics like deep foundation construction simulation and porous media deformation. Active in collaborative projects involving reservoir simulation integration and stress-sensitive permeability studies.

Labs & Teams:

Leads interdisciplinary teams within Swansea University, focusing on geotechnical and environmental engineering challenges. Collaborates with institutions on projects involving computational modeling and subsurface energy systems.