Postgraduate ProsPectus - Aston University

School of Engineering & Applied Science
Adaptive Communications Networks Research Group
School of Engineering & Applied Science
Bioenergy Research Group
Group overview
We focus on a range of networking architectures
from wireless LANs to mobile cellular systems to
adhoc wireless sensor networks. The research
includes investigations of novel network architectures
and protocols/algorithms for improving network
performance, quality assessment of video streaming
and applications of wireless networks (e.g. for
e-health, ITS and smart grid).
Research interests
We would be interested in supervising projects in the
areas of mobile cellular networks, video transmission,
ad-hoc sensor networks, traffic analysis and parallel
computing.
Current projects
Architectures and resource optimisation
LTE resource management
Smart grid
Vehicle networks
Wireless video streaming
Internet traffic statistics and models
Parallel computation.
Specialist equipment
We have access to extensive simulation facilities
and specially designed software for modeling and
analysing the behaviour of networks and concurrent
systems. Prototype designs can be developed using
modern digital electronics CAD facilities. Designs can
be synthesised and implemented using state-of-theart
FPGA’s including SoC (System on Chip) devices,
miniature wireless sensor nodes, DSP devices,
microprocessors and microcontrollers. We also have
state-of-the-art graphics processing boards used for
parallel computation.
Funding sources
The group has industrial support from Xyratex and
RIM. We have also received funding from EPSRC
and the TSB.
Collaboration
The group collaborates with the Centre for Scientific
Computing at Warwick University, Toshiba Research
Laboratory and Bristol University.
Application and contact
Research Group Convenor
Professor Keith Blow
E: k.j.blow@aston.ac.uk
W: www.aston.ac.uk/eas/research/groups/acnrg
Group overview
The aim of the Bioenergy Research Group is to
apply chemical engineering science and technology
to the development of advanced processes for the
production of liquid and gaseous fuels, chemicals,
heat and electricity from biomass and wastes.
The Bioenergy Research Group is a founding member
of EBRI (page 97) where all its facilities and activities
are based.
Research interests
The current activities of the group focus on
fast pyrolysis and gasification of biomass with
complementary work on system design and technical,
economic and commercial evaluation. These include
biomass preparation, fast pyrolysis for bio-oil,
design, modelling, catalytic pyrolysis, optimisation,
characterisation, upgrading of bio-oil, biorefineries.
Current projects
Member of the EPSRC sponsored SUPERGEN
Bioenergy Consortium
EC sponsored DibaNet working with Latin America
EC sponsored BRISK infrastructure project
Norwegian Research Council on fast pyrolysis for
biorefineries
European EERA Bioenergy consortium
IEA Bioenergy Pyrolysis Task UK member.
Specialist equipment
The Research Group has four continuous fluid bed fast
pyrolysis reaction systems for production of bio-oil with
extensive supporting analytical and characterisation
facilities, including micro-reactor pyrolysis with close
coupled GCMS- FID and continuous micro-reactor
processing systems for upgrading.
Funding sources
Funding comes mostly from the European Commission
and other national funding agencies in Europe and also
the EPSRC and DECC.
Collaboration
There is extensive formal and informal collaboration
in 44 countries around the world through international
collaborative projects and international agreements as
well as informal arrangements.
Application and contact
Research Group Convenor
Professor Tony Bridgwater
T: +44 (0)121 204 3381
E: a.v.bridgwater@aston.ac.uk
W: www.aston.ac.uk/eas/research/groups/berg
52 To find out more: Telephone: +44 (0)121 204 3400 | Email: engineering@aston.ac.uk | www.aston.ac.uk/eas
www.aston.ac.uk
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