Rasool Erfani

Dr Rasool Erfani CEng, FHEA, MIMechE

Senior Lecturer

My profile

Biography

Dr. Rasool Erfani is a Senior Lecturer within the Division of Mechanical Engineering, leading the Modelling and Digital Twin theme of the Smart Infrastructure & Industry Research (SIIR) Group. His group conducts leading-edge research in plasma engineering, computational fluid dynamics, and experimental fluid dynamics. With expertise in these areas, Dr. Erfani applies his knowledge to environmental science, technological development for resource management, and healthcare. Collaborating closely with UK and international universities as well as various industries, his work has far-reaching implications.

Notably, Dr. Erfani’s collaboration with the NHS led to securing a prestigious £600k NIHR-i4i grant (NIHR200023). This grant aims to design and develop an innovative device for Vocalisation in Tracheostomised Patients, significantly enhancing their quality of life.

Leading three Innovate UK-KTP grants, totaling £550k, Dr. Erfani’s remarkable projects include UK-KTP1024934 with Motherwell Tank, expanding the applications of flame arresters to the pharmaceutical and sewage treatment sectors. This project promises improved safety measures and operational efficiencies in these industries.

In collaboration with Severn Trent Water company, Dr. Erfani obtained the Innovate UK-KTP1025332 grant, which focuses on developing a novel leak-seeking technique that avoids the need for excavation or pipe replacement. This groundbreaking approach has the potential to revolutionize water management systems, reducing costs and minimizing disruptions.

Furthermore, the Innovate UK-KTP1026924 grant, in partnership with Clean Air, addresses a critical environmental challenge by developing a digital twin methodology using computational fluid dynamics. This methodology offers a reliable alternative for assessing air quality without the need for testing using SF6, a potent greenhouse gas.

Dr. Erfani’s collaboration with Manchester University, funded by Lb Orthopaedics Manchester Ltd, resulted in the design and construction of a device that manipulates circadian rhythm by temperature to enhance healing time for injuries. This research holds great promise for advancing medical treatments.

Acknowledging his remarkable contributions, they received the “National Innovation Award” from the Institute of Water, recognising the significant impact of his research group’s work on innovation in the water industry. Additionally, he was honored with the IMechE’s Andrew Medd Award, earning the title of “Young Mechanical Engineer of the Year”.

Furthermore, Dr. Erfani has been appointed as an honorary Associate Professor at University College London (UCL) and is supervising a PhD project on technology development for water and wastewater treatment. They have also secured a PhD studentship funded by Medical Science University, SA, and won a highly competitive studentship from a Nigerian Oil Company in collaboration with Salford University, further illustrating their international recognition and influence.

Academic and professional qualifications

  • CEng, Chartered Engineer 
  • FHEA, Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy  
  • PGCert, Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, Manchester Met. University
  • PhD, Mechanical Engineering, School of Mechanical Aerospace & Civil Engineering (MACE), University of Manchester
  • MSc, Applied Fluid Dynamics, School of Mathematic, University of Manchester

Expert reviewer

  • EPSRC,
  • Elsevier ScienceDirect: Redox biology,
  • Elsevier Sci. &Tech. Books,
  • Elsevier ScienceDirect: Journal of Heat & Mass Transfer,
  • Elsevier ScienceDirect: Aerospace Science and Technology,
  • IOP, Institute of Physics: Journal of Applied Physics D,
  • AIAA, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
  • ASME, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
  • IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science.

Prizes and awards

  • Winner of the Young Mechanical Engineer of the Year - IMechE’s Andrew Medd Award, 2020
  • Winner of Institute of Water Innovation Award for our KTP Seek-a-Leak project, 2020
  • IMechE Best BEng Eng. Project Award, 2019, 2022
  • Dopper Changemaker Challenge, Semifinalist for BEng Eng. Project, 2019
  • 1st Prize of the MACE Image Competition research conference, BP in collaboration with The University of Manchester, 2009
  • Travel fund and maintenance support awarded by the University of Manchester, 2009
  • Full PhD Scholarship awarded by the University of Manchester, School of MACE September, 2008 

Visiting and honorary positions

  • Honorary Associate Professor | Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering | University College London, 2020 - Now 
  • Visiting Academic | The University of Manchester 2012-2015

Membership of professional associations

  • Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

Get in touch

0161 247 6219
E340 John Dalton Building

Teaching

Why study…

As part of fluid mechanic course students will:

  • Develop understanding of fundamental and applicable equations of heat transfer and fluid mechanics.
  • Develop Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling techniques. 
  • Develop statistical analysis of research data.

Through:

  • Critically analyse the real world situations
  • Find, evaluate, synthesise and use information 
  • Use systems and scenario thinking

These will strengthen your:

  • Analytical thinking; Critical evaluation; Attention to details; Problem solving; Computer aided engineering; Technical communication …

All of these are what industry wants and they can help students towards developing their employability skills.

Supervision

Research outputs

Technology development for Air/Water treatment, Plasma Sciences and its Healthcare & Environmental applications,

Resource security, Technology development for renewable energy, Flight and Flow Control, Advanced Flow Diagnostics and Wind Tunnel Testing, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Modelling & Optimisation, System Dynamic.