Dr Nazir has expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Lithium Cells/Modules/Batteries, Embedded Control Systems, Battery Management Systems (BMS) and Thermal Management Systems (TMS) for future EVs and Smart storage grid applications; Computational and numerical modelling; Thin films; Nanomaterials; Corrosion; Tribology; Smart Sensors; Research Excellence Framework (REF). 

Accepting PhD Students 

I am teaching/taught following courses.

1. Control System Design (BEng, Yr 3)
2. Electrical Principles and Analytical Methods (BEng Yr 2).
3. Hybrid / Electric Vehicles (BEng, Yr 3)
4. Control And Instrumentation (HNC/HND)
5. Electrical Principles (BEng, Yr 1)
6. Electronic Systems Engineering (BEng, Yr 3)
7. Product Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MEng)
8. Modern Power Electronics (MEng)

I am also the module leader for 2 x group project-based modules.

11/2018 – 10/2021

Research Fellow, University of South Wales

Research Experience:

I worked on:

• Development and testing of Lithium ion batteries at our Centre (Centre of Automotive and Power System Engineering, CAPSE). I am working on £3.5 million EU funded (ERDF) project (SESS) under the umbrella of CAPSE on future smart energy storage solutions.
• Stationary applications, which include AC power for renewables and / or grid stabilisation.
• Testing of lithium-ion cells to pre-determined electrical test procedures.
• Testing of lithium-ion cells to other non-electrical testing procedures.
• Writing of electrical test procedures in Bitrode software VisualCN.
• Writing of health and safety documentation for testing Interpretation of data.
• CAN Vector communication using CANape, CANoe/ CANalyzer.
• High- voltage electrical systems and their construction into battery packs.
• Software control of battery packs, safety systems and their state of charge and health monitoring.
• The construction of battery packs and their thermal management and interfaces.
• Testing cell chemistries for EVs including NISSAN, HONDA, VOLVO, RICARDO, FORD, MCLAREN.
• Worked on electrification projects with BAE systems, GOS tools, Riversimple.
• Testing cell chemistries (LiT, LiS, Li-ion, NiMnCoAlO, Li polymer) battery manufacturers including YUASA, McLaren, JSR micro, FORD.
• Working to develop the repurposing procedure of 2nd life batteries for FORDs specifically for model batteries of C-max, S-max and Mondeo cars.
• Working with various industrial partners for electrification of their applications including WELSH WATER, Bridgend County Borough Council, global Transition Network, Transition Bro Gwaun (TBG), Goodwick, GOS ltd.

01/2016 – 08/2018   

Post Doc (Nanomaterials, Nano-Sensors, Embedded Control)

Bournemouth University, UK

Research experience:

My main task was the development of Data-Driven & Goal-Driven Condition-Based Predictive Maintenance for Aviation Support Equipment (SE) to guarantee the durability of coatings. I developed a platform for maintenance schedules, which is a key focus area of any program. A method to develop corrosion data and model corrosion degradation was developed which has great promise for application to Aviation applications

Teaching experience:

During my Post-Doc, I have taught the following four courses at BU

BEng Flexible Learning – H; Unit: BEng Projects (40 credit)

Design Engineering Level – H; Unit: Advanced Technology & Innovation (40 credit)

BEng/MEng Level – I; Unit: Thermo-fluids & Heat Transfer (20 credit)

Design Engineering Level – C; Unit: Design Methods & Projects (40 credit)

Grants/ bids Experience:

During my Post-Doc, I assisted in developing some of the research proposals. The experience helped me understanding the ways of writing successful grant applications. After writing few research proposals, I find myself confident at writing quality research proposals. Some proposals which I co-worked with Prof Zulfiqar are:

Proposals Helped Developed:

1. “Data Driven and Goal Driven Condition Based Predictive Maintenance” and “Develop condition monitoring techniques and mathematical modelling for inhibitor loss in coating-substrate system for aerospace applications” The proposal was submitted on April 2016.
2. “Experimental investigations and mathematical modelling of remaining life assessment”. The proposal was submitted on July 2016.
3. “Experimental investigations and numerical modelling of remaining life assessment techniques applied to polymer accelerated ageing“. The proposal was submitted to DSTL UK-France joint research bid on July 2017.
4. BU-Fusion HEIF funding for project “Creating a Knowledge Exchange Platform with Multi-national Industrial Partners” applied on June 2017
5. BU-Fusion HEIF funding project “Combatting & Controlling Corrosion (3C) to Aid Advanced Manufacturing for Enhanced Reliability“ applied on May 2018

Professional Practice:

Experience of REF 2021 Impact Champion for UoA 12 case studies: I started working as the new Impact Champion for the UoA 12 since April 2017. When I began my research journey several years ago I knew I wanted my research to make a difference. It is this on-going desire to make a difference which led me to pursue this role of Impact Champion. Part of my role is to take the lead in supporting academics to develop, maintain and ensure that research impact aligns with our core principle of ‘helping to make people’s lives better’. I am also be involved in developing impact case studies, and proactively accelerating impact in relation to REF.

Experience as Faculty Research Staff Representative for Faculty of Science and Technology – BU Research Staff Association: I was appointed as Faculty Research Staff Representative for Faculty of Science and Technology in September 2017. My role is to facilitate the BU RSA (Research Staff Association) coffee mornings and attend the BU Research Concordat Steering Group and the University Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee to provide an update on the BU RSA and raise any feedback or concerns. This ensures that feedback and concerns raised by research staff are fed into the BU Research Concordat Action Plan, so that they are addressed going forwards.

Experience in Developing Learning Techniques for Students Engaged in Cross Disciplinary Education Environment (The Tank Museum project): During my PhD and now Post Doc, I assisted to facilitate enhanced learning experience while working within a cross disciplinary area. Design Engineering BU students are able to work on projects at the Tank Museum to understand corrosion problems in large vehicles which have significant historic value and cultural biography. Design Engineering undergraduate students have published journal and reputable conference papers as co-creation co-production activity. Design methods and projects, design engineering level 4 unit (40 credits) includes relevant theory and a final live project (50 % of the course work) with the Tank Museum.

Experience in Engagement with industry at Bournemouth University: As a Post doc, I have participated with Prof Zulfiqar Khan (BU) in developing strong international collaborations that have led to joint journal & conference publications, joint proposals and bidding. I participated in the development of two invited proposals. I have worked in strengthening BU and stakeholders partnerships. During my PhD and the current post Doc I had the opportunity to work in close collaboration with our external stakeholders that include important industries and community groups. I have also learnt the mechanisms both BU and external for bidding process, I have worked closely with Prof Zulfiqar Khan to understand the significance of applied research, within the context of BU and REF. I have also reasonable experience of working on impact case studies and fully understand the importance of evidence based impact tracking. 

Experience in Innovative Teaching: I became a part of BU academic circle in Jan 2013 where apart from my PhD and Post-Doc research, I was able to assist in teaching and sometimes did full time teaching. Teaching at BU gave me the experience of conducting research informed teaching. This involved conducting field trips to study various design elements or developing laboratory skills in measuring levels of structural strength, for example. I also worked with the undergraduate students in writing research papers, some of which also got published in reputable journals.

PhD student/ Demonstrator (Structural Health Monitoring)

12/2012- 01/2016

Bournemouth University funded by Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL)

Research experience as PhD student:

I have worked with organic, inorganic, thin films, Powder electrodeposited, diamond like coatings (DLC) and magnetron sputtered coatings, in both experimental and modelling techniques. I worked at DSTL-MoD on research project of designing Structural Health Monitoring System for continuous corrosion monitoring using Wired and Wireless techniques. I developed novel software for coating failure analysis, prediction and prognostics for various modes of coating failures i.e. delamination, blistering and micro-cracking. I developed software for corrosion failure analysis, prediction and optimization. Also I developed Corrosion Sensors (micro linear polarization resistances) and Coating health monitoring sensors (MEMS based) for continuous monitoring of corrosion rate and coatings failure rates respectively. Moreover, by integration of these sensors with wireless networks using wireless sensors has developed a Structural Health Monitoring system. Furthermore, using sensor techniques with my developed software has provided with an excellent method to accurately and precisely calculate with the Remaining Useful Life of a failing component or subsystem. 

 Teaching experience as PhD student:

During my PhD, I have taught the following two modulus at BU.

ENGN5015, MEng Level – 4-- Unit: Thermofluids & Heat Transfer (20 credit), 100% course work.

 DSGN4007, DE, Design Engineering Level – C  -- Unit: Design Methods & Projects (40 credit) [led by ZK].

06/2011-12/2012

Lecturer (FT) in Design and Engineering,

COMSATS University (CU), Pakistan

Teaching experience as Lecturer:

I worked as Lecturer in Department of Design and Engineering, COMSATS University (CU). Supervised and lectured to the undergraduate students. Acted as coordinator for final year practical industry training, final year student projects and external moderator for Prime College franchised with CU. I was also involved in Laboratory establishments for electronics engineering department and physics department. I have developed course structure of BS (Engineering Physics) and BE (Electronics Engineering) in the light of Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan directives and PEC (Pakistan Engineering Council) requirements for accreditation of engineering degree program.

I supervised 10 UG final year projects. 4 of them were under my direct supervision (DS) while 6 were co-supervised (CS) by me. These projects are:

• Electronic Voting System [DS]
• DSP Board Implementation of DMT for DSL with Various Loading Algorithms [DS]
• DSP Board implementation of OFDM Transceiver for Wireless Telemetry System [DS]
• Performance Comparison of Various digital Modulation Techniques for an In-Home Power-line Communication Transceiver [DS]
• DSP Board Implementation of DMT for DSL with Margin Adaptive Bit Loading Algorithm [CS]
• Discrete Wavelet Transform Based OFDM Tranciever [CS]
• A Wavelet Packet Transform-Based Approach for Interference Suppression in Spread Spectrum WIRELESS Communication Systems [CS]

Professional Practice as Lecturer:          

Administrative Experience:

• Course leader of Design & Engineering, Comsats University, Sept. 2011- Aug. 2012. Primary responsibilities were: providing visionary leadership; advancing professional development of faculty, staff and students; encouraging excellence and innovation in research, teaching, and service; chairing the curriculum development committee, participating in various planning and social committees, and fostering productive interdisciplinary relationships with a variety of entities across the university community.
• Laboratory administrator of Energy Research and Development Center, Comsats University, Oct. 2011 – Dec. 2012. Duties included: managing the daily activities of the Lab, developing the strategic plan and budget, fostering the development of research initiatives and projects.

 Experience in Fusion and Values: During my stay in Comsats, I made key contributions towards Vision 2020 of Comsats university. I contributed in developing specific goals and objectives outlined for the next 15 years, including major areas of academic growth, expansion and specialization, faculty/staff development and industrial & international linkages. Therefore I believe that the combination had put me in the right position to make significant, tangible, novel and impact bearing contributions to FUSION (education + research + professional practice) 

Experience in Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP): I organised external lectures for designl engineering students for Annual Year 2011-2012 and in the past, these were free of cost delivered by IBM Pakistan. The integration of commercialization issues are an important aspect, therefore, I organised an external lecture in commercialization within the context of embedded design engineering. There is also growing need for the understanding of the importance of enterprise activity and various modes through which students could be engaged. Therefore, I also organised a lecture based on the topic "Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and it mechanisms". Students had very positive feedback about external lectures and wished that these should continue.

10/2009 – 06/2011

Design and Development Engineer – Automotive Engine Coatings

ABB Sweden

My involvement was in a research project which was carried out in collaboration with industrial partners: Shell and SAAB Automobile. The advances were targeted at improvements in gasoline and diesel combustion systems at the pre-prototype phase of engine development.  My research combined experimental methods with analytical and numerical modelling approaches. 

03/2008 – 08/2009

Assistant Manager - Design and Development

Govt of Pakistan

This was my first job after my Bachelor’s degree. I was recruited as "Assistant Manager Electronics" in Design and Development. Initially I was involved in the development of smart electrical meters (SMTs) in collaboration with Pakistan Telephone Cooperation Limited (PTCL) and Siemens.

In this job I gained experience in following areas:

• Electronic Circuit Design • Embedded Sensors Design • Microcontrollers Programming • Soldering and fabricate the electronic component • Materials selection, thin films formation and annealing • Thin film sensor technologies: strain gauges and thermo-couples • PLC programming for large scale machines (CNCs)

02/2007 – 03/2008

Trainee Engineer – UG Placement

KSOFT Pakistan

PhD supervisor and examiner in various subject areas, spanning from Electronics to Computing for 15 years