Publications

The main output of Alex's internship with the Institute for Mathematical Innovation was the publication of a research paper titled "An analytical model for wrinkle-free forming of composite laminates". In the article a novel model is developed and validated to rapidly predict the occurrence of wrinkling in the formation of composite laminate materials. Such materials find particular use in aerospace applications, and the novel model aims to act as an initial design tool to help save time and financial costs during the design stage of the manufacturing process.

In response to current environmental, social and accessibility challenges in the mobility sector, this research focuses on promoting the development of integrated sustainable regional transport policies, supported by a thorough analysis of their distributed economic impacts. This is fulfilled with the development of a new GIS-supported extension of a comprehensive methodology that is currently used for appraising local transport interventions. To illustrate the inputs and outputs of the expanded approach, a regional case study was simulated, highlighting the potential for this methodology to assist in (1) optimising the financial balance between electrification and modal-shift strategies, (2) anticipating and analysing the multiple economic impacts of multimodal transport services (e.g., Mobility as a Service) and (3) understanding how equal the benefits of these policies are across the region. This research will provide novel contributions to the field of transport research and policy development by introducing a comprehensive methodology that quantifies and maps the distributed economic impacts of regional transport policies. This will, consequently, enable the economic outputs of these policies to be easily visualised, analysed and shared with mobility stakeholders, fostering a better understanding of their urban–rural distribution, and promoting the strategic development of sustainable and equitable regional transport systems.

This paper provides a detailed overview of the current snapshot of available open data for modelling the impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) on the UK distribution network, highlighting opportunities for a digital spine. We are the first to review open data available for UK distribution networks, focusing on spatial data. We also explore data for census small geographies, vehicle ownership, EV charger locations and data on their usage. Several issues are identified, including inconsistencies in dataset availability, file naming conventions, feature definitions and geographic discrepancies. We specifically analyse EV charger connection data for secondary distribution substations from two UK Distribution Network Operators (DNOs). The validity of the data is assessed by comparing it to known public charger locations from OpenChargeMap. While one DNO provides data coverage for >95% of its substations, it is valid for only 24.1% of substations with at least one public charger. Conversely, the other DNO provides data coverage for 1% of its substations due to privacy-related obfuscation, with data valid for 98.3% of substations with at least one public charger. Addressing these challenges through standardised data-sharing practices and implementing a digital spine could enhance the accuracy and reliability of EV-grid integration models. These improvements are essential for facilitating the seamless integration of EVs into the grid and supporting the transition to a sustainable energy system.