Derek Low

Centre for Doctoral Training Doctoral Researcher

Address

Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering
Loughborough University
Leicestershire
LE11 3TU
United Kingdom

Email

d.low-14@student.lboro.ac.uk

Lead Supervisor

Dr Sarah Dunnett 

Research Summary

Derek joined the Centre for Doctoral Training in Fuel cells and their fuels in October 2015 and is currently studying within the Reliability Research Group of the Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering Department at Loughborough University.The aim of his current research is to investigate the impacts of environmental effects on Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells.

Qualifications

MSc Renewable Energy Systems Technology - Loughborough University (2015)

BEng Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies – Glyndwr University (2014)

 

Biography

Derek studied Renewable energy and sustainable technologies at Glyndwr University for his BEng and graduated in 2014. For his final year project, Derek’s research was a Numerical investigation on aerodynamics of a Wells turbine.

Derek then went on to study the Renewable energy systems technology MSc at Loughborough University, graduating in 2015. His Masters project was a study of turbulence intensity in a large onshore windfarm.

Research

The research is based on improving understanding of relationships between operating and environmental conditions to improve the reliability of PEMFC's, therefore enabling more informed decisions for their applications. PEMFC failure models will be developed which account for environmental conditions. Probabilistic models governing component degradation and failure aim to be developed, thus achieving more accurate lifetime predictions. Further work includes the extension and adaptation of PEMFC models to consider stack performance.

Main research areas of interest include reliability analysis, diagnostics and prognostics

Other activities

Derek is a sports enthusiast, who enjoys playing a range of sports including badminton, basketball, swimming and skiing.

Publications