Pavlos Aleiferis

Professor Pavlos Aleiferis holds the Chair in Thermofluids in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Imperial College London. He serves as Head of the Thermofluids Section and Member of the Departmental Management Committee. Previously, he was Professor of Thermofluids at University College London (2015-2016), Reader at UCL (2011-2015), and Lecturer at UCL (2003-2011). He earned his PhD from Imperial College (2000) after completing an MSc in Thermal Power and Fluids Engineering and a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Manchester.

Research focuses on fundamental fluid mechanics applied to sustainable energy and propulsion systems, employing laser diagnostics and numerical modeling. Key areas include:

• Turbulence and cyclic variations
• Hydrogen/ammonia engine flows
• Flash boiling and supercritical sprays
• Battery thermal management
• Underexpanded jets
• Lubrication film dynamics
• Sustainable fuel properties

Research is sponsored by EPSRC, Jaguar Land Rover (including Centre of Excellence in engine flows), Shell, MAHLE Powertrain, BP, Lotus, Ford, and Delphi.

Recent publications demonstrate strong focus on experimental and computational analysis of fuel sprays (ethanol, hydrogen), combustion phenomena, nozzle flow dynamics, and engine optimization. Trends include advanced optical diagnostics (PLIF, schlieren), multi-physics modeling (LES, VOF), and sustainable fuel applications across extreme thermodynamic conditions.

Awards include:

• Dugald Clerk Prize (Institution of Mechanical Engineers)
• Sugden Award (Combustion Institute)
• Prizes from Institute of Physics
• International Centre for Heat and Mass Transfer awards
• Society of Automotive Engineers honors

Teaching responsibilities include leadership of Computational Fluid Dynamics (MECH70015) and co-leadership of Environmental and Applied Fluid Dynamics (MECH70027). Editorial duties encompass boards of Fuel (Elsevier) and Fuels (MDPI).