Dr Daniel Butcher

Background

Dan received his MEng degree in Automotive Engineering from AAE, Loughborough University in 2012, followed by a PhD in 2016. Following his PhD, Dan was appointed as a Research Assistant and then Associate in the Department, contributing to a number of research contracts including those funded by ATI, Innovate UK, Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), Caterpillar, and Rolls-Royce. In 2020, he was appointed as Lecturer in Applied Fluid Mechanics and later (2024) as Senior Lecturer. His major research interests include experimental, optical based measurements for fluid mechanics and the techniques of analysis of large datasets including Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) approaches.

Dan has an interest in applications across the department, particularly in vehicle aerodynamics and sport. He is a member of the Caterpillar Innovation and Research Centre. Within the department, he is a member of the Vehicle Aerodynamics Research Group, and is the responsible academic for the Wind Tunnel Facilities.

Qualifications

• 2024 PGCert Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
• 2019 ILM Level 2 Award in Leadership and Team Skills
• 2016 PhD ‘Influence of Asymmetric valve timing on the in-cylinder flow of the internal combustion engine’. Loughborough University
• 2012 MEng(hons). 1^st Class in Automotive Engineering. Loughborough University

Outline of current main research interests

Experimental optical measurement of fluids ranging from internal flows, including those of internal combustion engines and gas turbines to vehicle aerodynamics. Key interests include optical diagnostic techniques for the measurements of fluid flows and their application in complex configurations, as well as the development of statistical and processing techniques for experimental data.

Dan’s current research focuses on applied Vehicle and Sports Aerodynamics.

Current teaching responsibilities

• TTB039 Ground Vehicle Aerodynamics (Module lead)
• TTD014 Experimental Fluid Mechanics (Module lead)
• TTP452 Vehicle Aerodynamics (Module lead)
• Part C, D and MSc individual Project Supervision (in the field of Aerodynamics)

• Responsible Academic for AACME Wind Tunnel Facilities

Recent publications

Please see here for a full list of publications 

External collaborators

• Imperial College London
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)
• The University of Manchester
• University of Southampton
• JLR (Jaguar Landrover)
• RGK Wheelchairs
• Tudor Pro Cycling
• Caterpillar & Perkins Engines

External roles and appointments

• Referee for International Journals

• PhD examiner