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- Associate Professor in Engines
- Dept of Mechanical Engineering
- Faculty of Engineering Science
Dr Paul Hellier is an Associate Professor and an engineer of future fuels and sustainable energy concepts for internal combustion engines in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at University College London. He is currently holder of an EPSRC Research Fellowship entitled 'Design of advanced biofuels through optimisation of fuel molecular structure', which he was awarded following completion of his PhD thesis at UCL, a collaboration with BP Global Fuels. Having graduated from Cardiff University with a 1st class MEng in Environmental Engineering, Paul explores the potential for cleaner burning alternative fuels in the context of both fuel end use (combustion for the release of useful energy) and upstream production processes. His research interests include the engineering of liquid and gaseous fuels for reduced IC engine exhaust emissions of toxic pollutants (in collaboration with Public Health England), designer fuels from genetically modified micro-organisms (in close collaboration with UCL's Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology), novel IC engine combustion and exhaust after-treatment strategies, and the processing of renewable fuels from waste biomass.
His work includes collaborations with researchers from a range of disciplines and international institutions, and is supported by industry partners, UCL Grand Challenges and Public Engagement, the EPSRC and Innovate UK. He has published over 40 original research and invited review articles in leading fuels and combustion, and multidisciplinary, journals, and was awarded the 2015 Harold V Disney Prize for his paper on ‘The influence of biodiesel composition on compression ignition combustion and emissions' by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and “Outstanding Presentation Award for Young Researchers and Engineers" at the 2011 JSAE/SAE International Powertrains, Fuels & Lubricants Meeting, Kyoto, Japan. Paul is active in, and enjoys, engaging with a wide audience to communicate his research findings and has led schools outreach programmes, spoken at science festivals and invited lectures, and performed in immersive theatre and stand-up comedy.




Paul's research interests include a range of fundamental science and applied technologies in the utilisation of sustainable feedstocks for renewable energy and materials, mitigating harmful health and environmental impacts:
- Developing low and net zero carbon fuels for propulsion and energy systems through interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Fuel chemical and physical property effects on combustion phasing and emissions formation (NOx, PM, PN, CO, UHC) in diesel and spark ignition engines.
- Fuel and combustion impacts on air quality and public health.
Impacts of fuel molecular structure on low temperature reaction kinetics and ignition quality (ignition delay, knock resistance). - Sustainable production of advanced bio fuels from feedstocks including micro-algae, lignocellulosic biomass and food wastes.
- Influence of fuel composition on rates of pollutant formation and toxicity during oxidation and pyrolysis reactions.
- Particulate and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) formation.
- Co-combustion of liquid and gaseous fuels.
- Effects of synthetic fuel additives on engine performance and emissions.
- Novel combustion strategies for prototype fuels in internal combustion engines.
- Energy efficient recovery of fuels and chemical precursors from waste materials through solvent extraction and pyrolysis.
- Catalytic after-treatment devices for reduction of engine exhaust pollutant emission.
- Energy and transport policy.
- Solvent property and process effects on yield and composition during liquid-liquid extraction from solid materials.
Tomorrow's Technology
Episode 5 - Fuels
Algal Bio-fuels for Sustainable Transport - Institute of Sustainable Resources
MadeAtUCL Disruptive Discoveries: Repurposing
Paul teaches advanced and applied thermodynamics at undergraduate and postgraduate level. He developed and coordinates a 2nd year practical lab class investigating biofuels for propulsion, and is Deputy Director of the MSc Mechanical Engineering programme.