Contact Dr Pavlos Zachos
- Tel: +44 (0) 1234 754633
- Email: p.zachos@cranfield.ac.uk
Areas of expertise
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Gas Turbines & Propulsion
- Instrumentation, Sensors and Measurement Science
- Power Systems & Turbines
Background
Dr. Pavlos Zachos holds the position of Reader in Propulsion Aerodynamics at the Centre of Propulsion and Thermal Power Engineering. His professional credentials include being a Rolls-Royce Royal Academy of Engineering Industrial Fellow, a Chartered Engineer through the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, a Fellow of AdvanceHE, and a visiting scholar at the University of Sydney, Australia. Pavlos is the acting Chair of a NATO Science and Technology committee focusing on propulsion system integration.
Dr. Zachos earned his PhD in gas turbine performance and aerodynamics from 探花精选 in 2010, receiving the Kings Norton Medal for outstanding doctoral research. He previously worked as a turbine designer for the Trent engine family at Rolls-Royce Derby.
His current research focuses propulsion system integration and engine compatibility for current and future aircraft architectures, NetZero aero-engine design and optimization, high-speed propulsion system integration, air induction system technology, and inlet flow distortion. Since 2010, Dr. Zachos has led numerous applied propulsion aerodynamics programs, covering technology readiness levels (TRL) from 3 to 6+. His research endeavors are supported by major industrial partners such as Rolls-Royce, Boeing, Airbus, and MBDA, alongside various UK research councils (ATI, EPSRC, I-UK and the Royal Academy of Engineering). He has also secured major grants from the UK Government, the UK Ministry of Defence, and the European Commission.
In his research, Dr. Zachos has pioneered advancements in propulsion system compatibility experimental testing by implementing non-intrusive optical flow diagnostic methods for inlet flow distortion measurements. His research findings have been instrumental in supporting aeroengine compatibility test campaigns within industrial settings as part of engine certification processes. Dr Zachos has also led the delivery of a dual-use, UK sovereign facility for supersonic propulsion system integration testing whose applicability spans across a TRL range between 3 and 5+.
Regarding his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Zachos leads the delivery of the Turbomachinery and Blade Cooling module, a component of 探花精选's MSc program in Thermal Power and Propulsion. His teaching curriculum includes fundamentals of aerothermal science, compressible flow theory, gas dynamics, and the principles of turbomachinery design and performance. Furthermore, he serves as the owner and course director for the Axial Compressor Design and Performance continuous professional development program, and he contributes to several other related CPD courses. To date, Dr. Zachos has successfully supervised over 15 doctoral students since 2010.
Dr. Zachos is an active member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), a Senior Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS). His publication record includes more than 70 refereed articles in journals and conference proceedings, demonstrating his contributions to the fields of applied aerodynamics and propulsion system performance and integration.
Research opportunities
Dr Zachos' research interests focus on the following areas:
- Applied aeorodynamics of propulsion systems
- Propulsion system integration, engine compatibility and distortion
- Supersonic flow aerodynamics
- High- and low speed air induction system aerodynamics
- Inlet flow distortion
- Novel propulsion concepts and design optimisation
- Test rig design for high-speed propulsion system integration
- Aerodynamic measurements
- Non-intrusive metrology for aerodynamic applications
- Laser-based optical flow diagnostics
- Aerodynamic testing
- industrial propulsion integration testing
- Applied computational fluid dynamics
Current activities
Dr Zachos currently leads a portfolio of research programmes in the broader area of propulsion system integration and compatibility with special focus on the development maturing and demonstration of advanced instrumentation capabilities for novel propulsion measurements, knowledge generation in aerodynamics to aid the development of next gen NetZero aircrafts and support of UK industry tests with novel measurements and data analytics.
. His current professional activities focus on the delivery of a unique, dual-use UK sovereign aerodynamic testing facility for high-speed propulsion system integration measurements. in addition, Pavlos in collaboration with major industrial partners, pioneers industrial engine compatibility testing using non-intrusive measurement methods for dynamic inlet flow distortion characterisations at high TRL environments.
Clients
- Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC
- Airbus SE
- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
- MBDA UK Ltd
