![Rukshan Navaratne](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/7730?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Rukshan Navaratne
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Teams and roles for Rukshan Navaratne
Reader in Power & Propulsion
Overview
Rukshan obtained his PhD in Aerospace Engineering at Cranfield University and currently working as a Reader in Power & Propulsion, and Leading the Aerospace Propulsion Research at Cardiff University. Before joining academia, he has spent much of his career working as an Engineer, Project Manager and Senior Executive in aerospace industry. His current research focuses on the development of novel propulsion systems for transport applications. Rukshan use variety of numerical and experimental tools and techniques to develop propulsion technologies from initial conception through increasing levels of technology readiness with a constant view towards commercialization and real-world use. Also, he is a consultant to several local and international organisations. Rukshan is a Chartered Engineer and Member of IMechE (UK), ASME, and AIAA.
Publication
2025
- Seddiq, M., Alnajideen, M. and Navaratne, R. 2025. Thermal transient performance of PEM fuel cells in aerospace applications: a numerical study. Energy and Fuels 39(16), pp. 7876-7889. (10.1021/acs.energyfuels.4c04834)
- Al-Moftah, A. M. S. H. et al. 2025. Economic feasibility of using municipal solid waste and date palm waste for clean energy production in Qatar. Energies 18(4), article number: 988. (10.3390/en18040988)
2024
- Pugh, D. et al. 2024. Influence of variable swirl on emissions in a non-premixed fuel-flexible burner at elevated ambient conditions. Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power 146(6), article number: 61006. (10.1115/1.4063786)
- Chen, J., Wang, S., Liang, J., Navaratne, R. and Ming, W. 2024. Decentralized control for multi-terminal cascaded medium-voltage converters considering multiple crossovers. IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery 39(1), pp. 467-478. (10.1109/TPWRD.2023.3268829)
2023
- Alnaeli, M. et al. 2023. High-temperature materials for complex components in Ammonia/Hydrogen gas turbines: A critical review. Energies 16(19), article number: 6973. (10.3390/en16196973)
- Navaratne, R. and Laskaridis, P. 2023. Impact of engine degradation on contrail formation of long range aircraft trajectories. Presented at: ASME Turbo Expo 2023: Turbomachinery Technical Conference and Exposition, 26-30 June 2023Turbo Expo: Power for Land, Sea, and Air. ASME, (10.1115/GT2023-103644)
- Pugh, D. et al. 2023. Influence of variable swirl on emissions in a non-premixed fuel-flexible burner at elevated ambient conditions. Presented at: ASME Turbo Expo 2023: Turbomachinery Technical Conference and Exposition, 26-30 June 2023ASME Turbo Expo 2023: Turbomachinery Technical Conference and Exposition: Combustion, Fuels, and Emissions, Vol. 3A. ASME, (10.1115/GT2023-102457)
2022
- Musa, G., Igie, U., Di Lorenzo, G., Alrashed, M. and Navaratne, R. 2022. Gas turbine compressor washing economics and optimization using genetic algorithm. Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power 144(9), article number: 91012. (10.1115/1.4055187)
- Rajamony, R., Wang, S., Navaratne, R. and Ming, W. 2022. Multi-objective design of single-phase differential buck inverters with active power decoupling. IEEE Open Journal of Power Electronics 3, pp. 105-114. (10.1109/OJPEL.2022.3147769)
- Yang, P., Ming, W., Liang, J., Ugalde Loo, C. E., Navaratne, R., Ellabban, O. and Ludtke, I. 2022. SiC-based improved neutral legs with reduced capacitors for three-phase four-wire EV chargers. IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification 8(2), pp. 2565-2582. (10.1109/TTE.2021.3138333)
- Mashruk, S., Alnasif, A., Navaratne, R., Guiberti, T. and Valera-Medina, A. 2022. Effects of stratified H2 injection in premixed ammonia/hydrogen/air swirling flames. Presented at: 1st Symposium on Ammonia Energy, 1 - 2 September 2022.
Articles
- Seddiq, M., Alnajideen, M. and Navaratne, R. 2025. Thermal transient performance of PEM fuel cells in aerospace applications: a numerical study. Energy and Fuels 39(16), pp. 7876-7889. (10.1021/acs.energyfuels.4c04834)
- Al-Moftah, A. M. S. H. et al. 2025. Economic feasibility of using municipal solid waste and date palm waste for clean energy production in Qatar. Energies 18(4), article number: 988. (10.3390/en18040988)
- Pugh, D. et al. 2024. Influence of variable swirl on emissions in a non-premixed fuel-flexible burner at elevated ambient conditions. Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power 146(6), article number: 61006. (10.1115/1.4063786)
- Chen, J., Wang, S., Liang, J., Navaratne, R. and Ming, W. 2024. Decentralized control for multi-terminal cascaded medium-voltage converters considering multiple crossovers. IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery 39(1), pp. 467-478. (10.1109/TPWRD.2023.3268829)
- Alnaeli, M. et al. 2023. High-temperature materials for complex components in Ammonia/Hydrogen gas turbines: A critical review. Energies 16(19), article number: 6973. (10.3390/en16196973)
- Musa, G., Igie, U., Di Lorenzo, G., Alrashed, M. and Navaratne, R. 2022. Gas turbine compressor washing economics and optimization using genetic algorithm. Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power 144(9), article number: 91012. (10.1115/1.4055187)
- Rajamony, R., Wang, S., Navaratne, R. and Ming, W. 2022. Multi-objective design of single-phase differential buck inverters with active power decoupling. IEEE Open Journal of Power Electronics 3, pp. 105-114. (10.1109/OJPEL.2022.3147769)
- Yang, P., Ming, W., Liang, J., Ugalde Loo, C. E., Navaratne, R., Ellabban, O. and Ludtke, I. 2022. SiC-based improved neutral legs with reduced capacitors for three-phase four-wire EV chargers. IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification 8(2), pp. 2565-2582. (10.1109/TTE.2021.3138333)
Conferences
- Navaratne, R. and Laskaridis, P. 2023. Impact of engine degradation on contrail formation of long range aircraft trajectories. Presented at: ASME Turbo Expo 2023: Turbomachinery Technical Conference and Exposition, 26-30 June 2023Turbo Expo: Power for Land, Sea, and Air. ASME, (10.1115/GT2023-103644)
- Pugh, D. et al. 2023. Influence of variable swirl on emissions in a non-premixed fuel-flexible burner at elevated ambient conditions. Presented at: ASME Turbo Expo 2023: Turbomachinery Technical Conference and Exposition, 26-30 June 2023ASME Turbo Expo 2023: Turbomachinery Technical Conference and Exposition: Combustion, Fuels, and Emissions, Vol. 3A. ASME, (10.1115/GT2023-102457)
- Mashruk, S., Alnasif, A., Navaratne, R., Guiberti, T. and Valera-Medina, A. 2022. Effects of stratified H2 injection in premixed ammonia/hydrogen/air swirling flames. Presented at: 1st Symposium on Ammonia Energy, 1 - 2 September 2022.
Research
| Title | People | Sponsor | Role | Value | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marine to Electric Power – the Smart Way to Clear The Hurdles | Navaratne, R., Ryan, Michael | Innovate UK | Principal Investigator | £322k |
01/11/2024 31/03/2025 |
| Ground and Inflight Measurements Involving SAF (GRIM-SAF) | Navaratne, R., Crayford, A | Natural Environmental Research Council | Co-Investigator | £332k |
10/5/2024 10/5/2026 |
| HyFIVE Cryogenic hydrogen fuel system for aviation | Navaratne, R., Pullin, R., | Arospace Technology Institute | Principal Invesitigator | £40M |
17/04/2024 31/12/2027 |
| EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training NetZero Aviation | Navaratne, R., Fetherston, C., | EPSRC | Co-Invesitigator | £13.2M |
10/04/2024 31/12/2032 |
| Optimisated hydrogen fuel cell to battery coupling using WBG PE | Navaratne, R., Ming, W., | CSA Catapult | Co-Invesitigator | £150K |
01/04/2024 31/03/2025 |
| Identification of specifications for supersonic engine deck | Navaratne, R | ENVISA | Principal Investigator | £5K |
01/04/2023 31/05/2024 |
| Testing of a Wenkel engine for hydrogen/ammonia compatibility | Navaratne, R | Duodrive Limited | Principal Investigator | £36K |
01/09/2023 30/04/2024 |
| Testing of injector materials for ammonia and hydrogen compatibility | Navaratne, R | Clean Air Power | Principal Investigator | £36K |
30/01/2023 14/04/2023 |
| Compound Semiconductors for Hydrogen Generation and Integration - CS4Hydrogen | Navaratne, R., Ming, W, Bo, H | Welsh Govenment | Co-Investigator | £444K |
28/11/2022 31/03/2023 |
| Building capacity for collaboration equipment - SAFTestbed | Navaratne, R | Welsh Govenment | Principal Investigator | £385K | 22/11/2022 31/03/2023 |
| Simulation and analysis of emissions for Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection - ICAO | Navaratne, R | ENVISA (EASA) | Principal Investigator | £15K |
15/09/2022 14/01/2023 |
| High power density magnetless motor for propulsion - MTorX | Navaratne, R., Ming, W | Ford Motor Corporation, Welsh Govenment | Principal Investigator | £127K |
01/03/2022 31/01/2024 |
| Design and development of advanced electric motor for propulsion (iCORE) | Navaratne, R., Ming, W., Ryan, M. | European Regional Development Fund | Principal Investigator | £480K |
01/07/2021 23/12/2022 |
| Design and development of hybrid electric propulsion system for regional aircraft (DragonFLY) | Navaratne, R., Wu, J., Ming, W, | European Regional Development Fund | Principal Investigator | £1.0M |
01/07/2021 30/11/2022 |
| Investigation of magnetic properties of thin laminations in electric machines | Navaratne, R | European Regional Development Fund | Principal Investigator | £42K |
01/07/2021 15/09/2023 |
Teaching
Course Director – MSc Sustainable Energy & Environment
EN3042 – Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer [Module Leader]
ENT745 – Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer [Module Leader]
ENT767 – Sustainable Energy & Environment Case Study [Module Leader]
ENT737 – Sustainable Energy & Environment Individuel Project [Module Leader]
ENT747 – Energy Management
Supervisions
I am interested in supervising PhD students in the areas of:
- Hydrogen-electric and Hybrid Propulsion
- Aerodynamics of Turbomachinery
- Combustion Fundamentals and Emissions
- Sustainable Aviation Fuels
- Gas Turbine Performance and Degradation
