Dr Zainab Saleh

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About
Teaching and learning
Research

About

I am a senior lecturer in Aerospace Engineering, department of Aerospace and Aircraft Engineering where I have also taken on additional roles as an Extra-curricular Activities Tutor within the same department and as a Bidding Champion in the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Environment (ECE). I was awarded a PhD in aerospace engineering from Queen Mary University of London where I conducted an extensive research project on the leakage flows over the high-pressure turbine blade tip in gas turbine engines. This investigation involved a combination of experimental and computational approaches. I successfully secured funding from EPSRC and Rolls-Royce to support this project.

Through my different roles at Kingston University, I have collaborated with various faculties within Kingston University and other universities in the UK, leading interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary projects and research groups. I maintain high quality research and teaching profile. I have contributed to national projects and been actively engaged in cutting-edge research including:

  • Transonic and Subsonic experimental flow control and testing.
  • Internal flow aerodynamics within the turbomachines of aircraft engines.
  • Design and testing engine – fuselage architecture with the aim of reducing fuel burn for the future aircraft applying boundary layer ingestion principle.
  • Anti-icing technology for the aircraft wings.
  • Design and testing Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) devices used in the cardiovascular system of patients with heart diseases

In my role as a Bidding Champion, I work closely with the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, the Head of Research Systems at Kingston University, and the Directors of Research in the ECE faculty. Together, we aim to facilitate the university's research strategy as part of the Town House strategy, with the goals of enhancing research excellence and increasing research impact. One of the key strategies I am involved in is the promotion of multidisciplinary research to attract higher funding income.

Academic responsibilities

Senior Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering, Faculty Bidding Champion

Qualifications

  • PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Queen Mary University of London
  • MEng in Aerospace Engineering, Queen Mary University of London
  • PGCert in Academic Practice, Queen Mary University of London
  • Fellow Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Teaching and learning

Qualifications and expertise

  • Fellow Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
  • Aerospace Propulsion
  • High speed Aerodynamics and Flow control
  • Fluid dynamics
  • Thermodynamics
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Undergraduate courses taught

Postgraduate courses taught

Research

Propulsion, particularly turbo-machinery in gas turbine engines, is one of my primary research areas. It is of significant interest to the aerospace industry. Over the years, I have received several prestigious grants and PhD studentships, including funding from EPSRC, Rolls-Royce, and Kingston University. These grants have allowed me to build a strong research group and recruit researchers and PhD students to further expand my expertise in this field.

I am particularly passionate about developing innovative ideas. One novel research area I have recently focused on is the application of Boundary Layer Ingestion (BLI) to enhance aircraft propulsion and reduce fuel consumption in future aircraft. This research has garnered attention from various institutions and companies. I have initiated this research with funding from EPSRC as part of a large project under the ATI theme, collaborating with different universities.

In addition to my work in engineering, I am also deeply interested in applying my knowledge to the medical field. Consequently, I have recently started expanding my understanding of Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) devices used in the cardiovascular system to assist patients with various heart conditions. I have secured funding to establish an experimental setup and commence practical research in this field. Additionally, I am a staunch advocate for the value of multidisciplinary research, recognizing its capacity to leverage diverse perspectives and address complex challenges with ground breaking solutions. Currently I co-lead an exciting multidisciplinary project  focused on supporting SMEs in achieving net-zero emissions.

Key publications include:

Tang, X., Xiaodong, L., AVITAL, E. J., MOTALLEBI, F., Li, X., SALEH, Z. J. (2023) Investigation of the formation and evolution of over-tip shock waves in the pressure-driven tip leakage flow by time-resolved schlieren visualization. journal of Physics of Fluids. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0147216

SALEH, Z. J., AVITAL, E. J., and KORAKIANITIS, T. (2021) Effect of in-service burnout on the transonic tip leakage over cavity tip model. Proceeding of IMechE Part A: J Power and Energy, https://doi.org/10.1177/09576509211012113

SALEH, Z., AVITAL, E. J., and KORAKIANITIS, T. (2020) Effect of in-service burnout on the transonic tip leakage over flat tip model. Proceeding of IMechE Part A: J Power and Energy, 234 (5), pp.655-699.. https://doi.org/10.1177/0957650919877057

SALEH, Z. , Avital E. J., Korakianitis T. (2017). The In-service Burnout Effect on the Transonic Leakage Flows over High Pressure Turbine Blade Tip. International Society for Air Breathing Engines. Manchester, UK.

WHEELER, A. P. S and SALEH, Z. (2013). Effect of cooling injection on transonic tip flows. Journal of Propulsion and power, 29(6), pp. 1374- 1381

SALEH, Z., AVITAL, E. J., and KORAKIANITIS, T. (2013). An investigation into turbine blade tip leakage flows at high speeds. International journal of chemical, Nuclear, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, 7(1), pp. 1- 5.

Qualifications and expertise

  • PhD in Aerospace Engineering

Areas of specialism

  • Experimental Aerodynamics: Flows with sonic and transonic Mach number
  • Internal flow aerodynamics within the turbomachines of aircraft engines.
  • Application of Boundary Layer Ingestion principle to Design and testing engine – fuselage architecture with the aim of reducing fuel burn for the future aircraft
  • Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) devices used in the cardiovascular system of patients with heart diseases
  • Anti-icing technology for the aircraft wings.

Research student supervision