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Scholarly biography
Cyril Crua is Visiting Professor of Thermofluids at the Advanced Engineering Centre, and Professor of Engineering at the University of Sussex.
His research focuses on fluids, heat and mass transfer processes in the energy, biomedical and manufacturing sectors. He has more than 25 years' experience on the development and application of optical measurement techniques to investigate the microscale physics of complex multiphase flows, such as fuel sprays, industrial process fluids (lubricants, coolants, carbon capture solvents), and biomedical fluid dynamics. His research has received continuous EPSRC funding since 2013 (until 2028), as well as support by industry, Innovate UK, INTERREG, and UKRI.
Research interests
My research focuses on experimental fluid dynamics, and particularly on the development of optical diagnostic techniques to investigate the physics of complex flows and atomisation. My current research interests include:
- Fundamental spray/aerosol formation, and transcritical mixing
- Carbon capture using multiphase flows
- Optical diagnostic techniques for sprays, flows, combustion
- Experimental fluid dynamics
Selected publications
Supercritical / transcritical mixing of fuels
Crua C, Manin J and Pickett LM (2017) On the transcritical mixing of fuels at diesel engine conditions Fuel 208. https://doi.org/b9s9
Primary breakup of fuels in engine
Crua C, Heikal MR, Gold MR (2015) Microscopic imaging of the initial stage of diesel spray formation. Fuel 157. https://doi.org/4F3
Measurement of droplet temperature and evaporation rate
Wu Y, Li H, Wu X, Gréhan G, Mädler L, Crua C (2019) Change of evaporation rate of single monocomponent droplet with temperature using time-resolved phase rainbow refractometry. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute 37(3). https://doi.org/czgp
Fuel emulsions
Ismael M, Heikal M, Aziz ARA, Syah F, Zainal E, Crua C (2018) The effect of fuel injection equipment on the dispersed phase of water-in-diesel emulsions. Applied Energy 222. https://doi.org/gdtdk3
Measurement of gas temperature in engines
Förster F, Crua C, Davy M and Ewart P (2019) Temperature measurements under diesel engine conditions using laser induced grating spectroscopy. Combustion and Flame 199. https://doi.org/cwsn
Supervisory Interests
I supervise research students in experimental thermofluids, including the development of optical measurement techniques for droplets, sprays and other complex flows. These subjects are often linked to applications in energy (fuel efficiency, energy recovery, carbon capture), manufacturing (Minimum Quantity Lubrication) and medical devices (bioartificial organs, optical implants).
I have supervised 15 PhDs to completion and examined 21 PhDs in the UK, France, Denmark, Malaysia, and Australia. I currently supervise 4 PhDs researching spray systems and complex fluids (Alex Gander, Louis Dacanay, Sean Kennedy, Sertan Kiziloz).
Education/Academic qualification
PhD, Combustion processes in a diesel engine, University of Brighton
1 Oct 1999 → 30 Sept 2002
Bachelor, BEng Hons (Systems Simulation and Control), University of Brighton
1 Sept 1997 → 1 Jul 1999
External positions
Professor of Engineering, University of Sussex
1 Nov 2023 → …
Interdisciplinary Assessment College (IAC) member, UKRI
2023 → 2025
New Horizons Panel member, EPSRC
1 Jun 2022 → …
Talent Peer Review College member, UKRI
2021 → …
Peer Review College member, EPSRC
2016 → …
Visiting Professor, Universiti Teknologi Petronas
2015 → …
Visiting Professor, Sandia National Laboratories, USA
2014 → …
Keywords
- TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
- Spray
- Aerosol
- Droplets
- Optical diagnostics
- Thermofluid
- Thermal propulsion system
- Fluid dynamics
- Fluid mechanics
- Heat and mass transfer
- Carbon capture
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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A biomimetic macromolecular platform for tissue healing and diagnostics at medical device interfaces: a personalised wound dressing model
Santin, M., Georgoulas, A., Harris, P., Crua, C., Sarker, D., Elsom, J., Sandeman, S., Forss, R., Redhead, L., Terrazzini, N., Saberianpour, S., Melotto, G., Hesketh, A. & Sinha, A.
1/06/22 → 31/03/28
Project: Research Councils / Government Depts.
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Heating and evaporation of droplets with nano-particles: experimental studies and modelling
Sazhin, S., Rybdylova, O. & Crua, C.
2/12/19 → 4/09/24
Project: Charities
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Plasma drilling technology for geothermal energy utilisation supporting decarbonisation of UK energy sector
Vogiatzaki, K. & Crua, C.
1/10/20 → 30/06/21
Project: Research Councils / Government Depts.
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PhD studentships on non-spherical droplets in high-pressure fuel sprays
6/10/13 → 31/10/17
Project: Industry
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Investigation of non-spherical droplets in high-pressure fuel sprays
Crua, C., Gavaises, M., Sazhin, S., Heikal, M., Cossali, G. E., Sechenyh, V., Stetsyuk, S., Duret, B. & Turner, J.
1/09/13 → 31/08/16
Project: Research Councils / Government Depts.
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On the transcritical mixing of fuels at diesel engine conditions
Crua, C., Manin, J. L. & Pickett, L. M., 21 Jul 2017, In: Fuel. 208, p. 535-548 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Microscopic imaging of the initial stage of diesel spray formation
Crua, C., Heikal, M. & Gold, M., 7 May 2015, In: Fuel. 157, p. 140-150 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Simultaneous measurement of monocomponent droplet temperature/refractive index, size and evaporation rate with phase rainbow refractometry
Wu, Y., Crua, C., Li, H., Saengkaew, S., Mädler, L., Wu, X. & Gréhan, G., 1 May 2018, In: Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer. 214, p. 146-157 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Temperature measurements under diesel engine conditions using laser induced grating spectroscopy
Förster, F., Crua, C., Davy, M. & Ewart, P., 1 Nov 2018, In: Combustion and Flame. 199, p. 249-257Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Development of theranostic wound dressings: harnessing the knowledge of biospecific interactions at the biomaterial interface to promote healing and identify biomarkers
Melotto, G., Forss, R., Redhead, L., Elsom, J., Terrazzini, N., Sandeman, S., Sarker, D., Bucca, G., Hesketh, A., Crua, C. & Santin, M., 23 Feb 2023, In: Expert Review of Medical Devices. 20, 3, p. 163-165 3 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review
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15th Triennial International Conference on Liquid Atomization and Spray Systems
Cyril Crua (Chair)
14 Jun 2017 → 3 Sept 2021Activity: Events › Conference
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Universiti Teknologi Petronas
Cyril Crua (Visiting professor)
Oct 2015 → …Activity: Visiting position › Visiting an external academic institution
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Sandia National Laboratories CA
Cyril Crua (Visiting professor)
30 Jun 2014 → …Activity: Visiting position › Visiting an external academic institution