Background:
Ashley was awarded her MEng in Aeronautical Engineering from Loughborough University in 2020. Following this, she joined the EPSRC CDT in Future Propulsion and Power, a collaboration between the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and Loughborough University, and was awarded her MRes from the University of Cambridge in 2021. She then returned to Loughborough and completed her PhD in 2025, titled 'An Assessment of Flamelet Generated Manifold Methods for Practical Predictions of Hydrogen Combustion'. She is a member of the National Centre for Combustion and Aerothermal Technology and Rolls-Royce UTC in Combustion System Aerothermal Processes. Ashley is now working as a Research Associate within NCCAT, attached to the EPSRC Programme Grant, Making Hydrogen Work in Zero Carbon Jet Engines.
Qualifications:
- Doctor of Philosophy in Aeronautical Engineering, Loughborough University - 2025
- Master of Research in Future Propulsion and Power, University of Cambridge - 2021
- Master of Engineering in Aeronautical Engineering, Loughborough University - 2020
Research interests:
- Clean propulsion technologies
- Sustainable aviation
- Hydrogen combustion
- Computational fluid dynamics
- Experimental methods
- Combustion dynamics
Research programme:
EPSRC Programme Grant, Making Hydrogen Work in Zero Carbon Jet Engines
- Project funded (£9.2 million) by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) with partner universities University of Oxford (Pl), Imperial College London, King's College London.
- This project aims to deliver fundamental research that is required to make hydrogen-powered flight a commercial reality. Within this project, NCCAT is directly key in establishing low-emission hydrogen combustion whilst preserving essential engine operability and dynamic flame responses underflow and thermal transients. This will be achieved through numerical and experimental testing on hydrogen injectors at NCCAT. These tests will investigate the dynamic combustor behaviour by controlling fuel temperature and flow rates under realistic transient conditions.
Grants and contracts:
- 2025-2029 EPSRC Programme Grant, Making Hydrogen Work in Zero Carbon Jet Engines
Current teaching responsibilities:
- TTC050 and TTC011 Gas Turbine Design
- TTD105 Propulsion Design for the Environment
- TTD004 Part D Individual Projects
Current administrative responsibilities:
- Member of Loughborough University Research Staff Association (LURSA) Committee
- Member of Research and Innovation Committee
- Member of Research and Innovation Culture Working Group
Selected publications:
- van Bruygom, A, Garmory, A, & Walker, AD. "Simulations of a Swirl Stabilised Non-Premixed Hydrogen Flame With a Flamelet Generated Manifold Approach." Proceedings of the ASME Turbo Expo 2025: Turbomachinery Technical Conference and Exposition. Memphis, Tennessee, USA. June 16-20, 2025. V03AT04A024. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/GT2025-152389
- van Bruygom, A, Garmory, A, & Walker, AD. "Towards Best Practice for Predicting a Lifted Hydrogen Diffusion Flame Using a Flamelet Generated Manifold Approach." Proceedings of the ASME Turbo Expo 2023: Turbomachinery Technical Conference and Exposition. Volume 3A: Combustion, Fuels, and Emissions. Boston, Massachusetts, USA. June 26-30, 2023. V03AT04A055. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/GT2023-102250
- van Bruygom, Ashley (2025). An assessment of flamelet generated manifold methods for practical predictions of hydrogen combustion. Loughborough University. Thesis. https://doi.org/10.26174/thesis.lboro.29281550.v1
External collaborators:
- Rolls-Royce, Derby
- University of Oxford
- Imperial College London
- King's College London
- Health and Safety Executive
- University of Cambridge
External roles and appointments:
- Member of the Loughborough Branch Committee for the Royal Aeronautical Society