Dr Usman Ali

Dr. Usman Ali serves as a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bolton, where his responsibilities include teaching, module development, and research. Currently, he teaches Thermofluids and Computational Modelling and Simulation, covering a wide range of postgraduate and undergraduate levels. As the module leader for Thermofluids in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the academic curriculum.

With a diverse professional background, he previously served as a Visiting Research Associate at the University of Salford and worked as a Design and Simulation Engineer at Unilever R&D. During his tenure as a Visiting Research Associate at the University of Salford, his research focused on flow visualisations, shape optimisation, and the stability and control of UCAV flying wings with high sweep angles. In his role at Unilever, he supported packaging teams in interpreting and making decisions based on the outcomes of FEA simulations and predictive analyses, which were integral to the packaging design strategy.
He holds a PhD in Aeronautical Engineering and a BEng (Hons) in Aerospace Engineering.

Research Interests and Research Subject Specialisms:
His field of expertise is in Computational Modelling and Simulation, with 10 years of experience in the development and application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to practical engineering problems. His main research interests include inviscid and viscous CFD, encompassing LES methods, numerical optimisation, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), active and passive flow control techniques, fluid-structure interaction, high-lift devices, and experimental aerodynamics.

Teaching specialisms:
Computational Modelling and Simulation and Thermofluids

Publications and Research:
Conference Presentations
Ali, U. (2015). High-Lift Performance and Flow Control for Flying-Wing Unmanned Air Vehicle Configurations Using Leading Edge and Cross-Flow Slots. The International Society of Multiphysics. London: Paper Presented at Multiphysics Conference

Publications
Ali, U., & Chadwick, E. (2016). Flow Control and High-Lift Performance for Flying-Wing Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle Configurations by Inserting Slots. International Journal of Multiphysics, 10(2). doi:10.21152/1750-9548.10.2.117

Ali, U., Chadwick, E., & Sugar-Gabor, O. (2022). An Optimisation of a Chordwise Slot to Enhance Lateral Flow Control on a UCAV. INCAS Bulletin - National Institute for Aerospace Research, Volume 14, Issue 4/ 2022, pp. 3 – 17. doi: 10.13111/2066-8201.2022.14.4.1

Professional Online Profile Links:
Dr. Usman Ali | LinkedIn