Dr Pavlos Zachos

Areas of expertise

• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Gas Turbines & Propulsion
• Instrumentation, Sensors and Measurement Science
• Power Systems & Turbines

Background

Dr Pavlos Zachos is a Reader in Propulsion Aerodynamics within the Centre of Propulsion and Thermal Power Engineering. Dr Zachos holds a diploma in Mechanical Engineering from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. Before joining Cranfield, he worked within the Aerothermal Methods group at Rolls-Royce plc in Derby as a designer of turbine internal cooling passages and heat transfer optimisation for the Trent engine family.

In 2007, he returned to academia to complete his PhD research at Cranfield University. He was awarded a doctorate in Gas Turbine Sub-idle Performance, Altitude Relight and Windmilling in 2010. Among many other prizes, he was awarded the Cranfield Kings Norton Medal for the university's outstanding doctoral research in 2010.

Since 2010 Dr Zachos has led a number of research programmes in the areas of applied propulsion aerodynamics. His research interests cover a range of areas aeorodynamics of propulsion systems, high-speed flow aerodynamics, air induction systems, propulsion system aerodynamic integration, optical flow diagnostics and aerodynamic covering a range of technology readiness levels from 3 (proof of concept) to 6+ (industrial demonstrations).

As part of his teaching activities, Dr Zachos is leading the Turbomachinery and Blade Cooling module which is part of the Thermal Power MSc programme delivered through the Centre for Propulsion Propulsion and Thermal Power Engineering. He is also the course director of the Axial Compressor Design and Performance continuous professional development programme.

Dr Zachos is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), a Senior Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Chartered Mechanical Engineer (CEng) and member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

Research opportunities

Aeorodynamics of propulsion systems, high-speed flow aerodynamics, air induction systems, propulsion system aerodynamic integration, optical flow diagnostics, aerodynamic testing.

Current activities

Experimental aerodynamics

Measurement science and instrumentation

Propulsion system integration

Computational fluid dynamics

Gas turbine aerothermal performance

Novel propulsion concepts and design optimisation

Thermal Power MSc - Turbomachinery and Blade Cooling (Module leader)

Clients

• Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC
• Airbus SE
• Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
• Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

Publications

• Articles in journals
• Conference papers