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Ahmed Rezk

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Ahmed Rezk

Dr, Reader, (PhD, MSc, BSc, CEng, SFHEA, MIMechE)

 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1329-4146

Accepting PhD Students

PhD projects

> Compact and responsive sorption systems - Thermal energy storage, cooling, desalination.
> Renewable-powered cooling
> Quantum Refrigeration

Personal profile

Contact Details

Email:  [email protected]

Phone number:  +44 (0)121 204 3601

Office: MB154L

Biography

I am a Reader in Thermal‑Fluid Sciences in Mechanical Engineering at Aston University, with a research portfolio centred on sustainable and zero‑carbon heating and cooling technologies, thermal energy storage, and the strategic integration of energy‑efficient systems and renewables for climate‑resilient infrastructure. My work addresses some of the most pressing global challenges at the interface of energy, climate, and industrial sustainability.

Since joining Aston University in November 2017, I have led and contributed to national and international research programmes spanning the UK, Africa, and the Middle East, including sustained collaborations with partners in Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Japan, Egypt, and many others. These activities focus on translating advanced thermal‑fluid science into scalable, low‑carbon cooling and heat‑storage solutions that support energy security and transition, economic development, and net‑zero targets.

I lead Sustainable Process Research within the Engineering for Sustainable Development Centre, where I provide strategic direction for interdisciplinary research that links fundamental modelling, technology development, and industrial deployment. My work has contributed to shaping research capability at the institutional level and to building international research capacity through doctoral supervision, industry partnership, and network leadership.

My doctoral research, awarded in 2012, focused on adsorption cooling systems, forming the foundation of a sustained research programme in thermal systems modelling and optimisation. I have developed a number of adsorption and desiccant system modelling frameworks that have been widely adopted and extended by the international research community, supporting both academic advancement and applied system design.

Alongside my academic work, I have led and delivered industry‑focused research in advanced thermal and mechanical systems, including collaborative work on engine electrification and turbocharger optimisation. This has encompassed 1D engine modelling, 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) of turbomachinery, and coupled multi‑scale modelling approaches, enabling predictive system‑level optimisation for next‑generation energy and transport technologies.

Across my research, I aim to bridge rigorous fundamental science with real‑world impact, supporting the development of innovative, sustainable solutions that are technically robust, economically viable, and globally relevant.

Employment

2017 - Current: Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Reader (current) - College of Engineering and Physical Science, Aston University, Birmingham.

2015-2017: Research fellow - School of Computing and Engineering, University of Huddersfield with Prof John Allport.

2014-2015: Assistant Professor - Mechanical Engineering, Alexandria University, Egypt.

2013-2014: Lecturer - Mechanical Engineering, Yanbu Industrial College, Saudi Arabia.

Teaching Activity

I teach across the breadth of Mechanical Engineering with a main focus on Thermal Fluid sciences.

Membership of Professional Bodies

  • Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy (SFHEA).
  • Chartered Engineer (CEng).
  • Member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (MI-IMechE).
  • Member of the Academic Assessment Committee of IMechE (AAC-IMechE).

Research Interests

  • Sustainable and renewable-powered cooling technologies.
  • Thermal energy storing and upgrading.
  • Heat pump and refrigeration.
  • Heat recovery systems design and optimisation.
  • I am interested in the emerging quantum cooling technologies.

Professional/editorial offices

I am a member of the editorial board for the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Technology (RSET) Journal.

Research Projects/Collaborations

2025 - 2027

Innovate UK - Innovate Ukraine - £1,071,000

EcoVenturi: Sustainable Cooling for Digital Infrastructure (PI)

2025 - 2026

British Council - International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) - £195,000

Eco-friendly Hybrid Desalination System via integrating Solar and Geothermal Energy with Biomaterials (PI)

2024 - 2026

EPSRC - Network funding to discover the next generation of renewable energy technologies - £500,000

Network funding to discover the next generation of renewable energy technologies (PI)

2024 - 2025

Efficiency for Access - AgriTech - £280,000

RADiCool -Low-cost mobile refrigerated transportation for perishable goods in Africa (PI)

2024 - 2025

Innovate UK - Zero Emission Generators (ZE-Gen) Accelerator - £150,000

Hybrid Wind Solar Generator technology (WiST) in Nigeria (PI)

2023 - 2024

Innovate UK - Energy Catalyst Round 10 - £1,300,000

CoolRun Malawi, project on fast precooling and cooling transport in Malawi (Co-I)

2023 - 2026

Innovate UK - Africa KTP - £234,891

Collaboration with the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, on developing sustainable modular desiccant food dryers (PI)

2023 - 2024

GCRF - Networking Grant - £25,000 

Cold chain mapping towards nature-assisted cooling in East Africa: Networking and capacity building (UK-PI)

2023 - 2024

 QR - Pump Priming fund - £20,000

Fundamental research on optimising ionic liquids for sorption heat storage (Co-I)

2023 - 2024

Innovate UK - Energy Catalyst Round 9 - £299,000

Hybrid Energy Powered Smart Irrigation System for Smallholder Farmers in Pakistan (Co-I)

2023 - 2024

Innovate UK - Energy Catalyst Round 9 - £280,000

Off-grid modular cold rooms and precoolers for remote and dry areas in Ethiopia (PI)

2022 - 2023

BISE - Industrial Energy Transformation Fund - £140,000

Waste heat recovery through the rotary heat exchanger in the aggregate processing industry (Co-I).

2023 - 2026

Innovate UK - KTP - £252,145

New range of modular energy-efficient furnaces in the aluminium scrap industry (PI).

2021 - 2022

STFC Food Network - £10,000

Project on developing a smart cold box connected to the food supply chain in collaboration with Kenya and Uganda (PI).

2021 - 2023

The Royal Society - International Exchange - £11,680

Project on studying the new sorption composites for cooling in collaboration with Kyushu University Japan

2020 - 2021

Innovate UK - Africa Knowledge Transfer Partnership - £238,040

Project on solar-driven precoolers for post-harvesting food preservation. Aston University (UK) and University of Port Harcourt & ColdHubs Ltd (Nigeria) (Co-I).

2020 - 2021

Innovate UK - GCRF - demonstrate impact in meeting the sustainable development - £77,000

Project on producing clean water in rural villages in Pakistan (led by AIR PUREX LTD) (Co-I).

2019 - 2020

QR - research England - £50,000

Cooling for Life in Sub-Saharan Africa, an interdisciplinary research project on developing a sustainable cooling package to preserve post-harvesting perishable foodstuff in Rwanda (PI).

2019 - 2021

Academy for Science and Technology JESOR - £50,000

Development of off-grid solar-driven adsorption water-desalination system (An application to brackish coastal groundwater) (UK-PI).

2018 - 2019

QR - Institute of Material Research - £1,500

Investigating the potential use of graphene to intensify the heat transfer performance of adsorption systems (PI).

2017

QR – University of Huddersfield - £33,000

Building a baseline thermal-driven adsorption cooling system as energy recovery research (PI).

2015 - 2017

STDF - Egyptian National Challenges Program - £75,000

Design and pilot testing of a novel efficient solar-driven Silica Gel/Water Adsorption Cooling system.

 

 

Media Contributions

https://coolingforlife.wordpress.com/

https://reef-ukc.net/

Education/Academic qualification

PG Cert, PGCert in L&T for higher education, Aston University

Award Date: 1 Jan 2019

PhD, Adsorption cooling systems, University of Birmingham

Award Date: 31 Dec 2012

MSc, Centrifugal chillers, Alexandria University

Award Date: 30 May 2008

BSc, Mechanical Engineering, Alexandria University

Award Date: 31 May 2004

External positions

IMechE - Academic Assessment Committee Member

2020 → …

Keywords

  • TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  1. SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
    SDG 2 Zero Hunger
  2. SDG 5 - Gender Equality
    SDG 5 Gender Equality
  3. SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
    SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
  4. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
    SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
  5. SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
    SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
  6. SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  7. SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
    SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  8. SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
    SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
  9. SDG 13 - Climate Action
    SDG 13 Climate Action
  10. SDG 15 - Life on Land
    SDG 15 Life on Land
  11. SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals
    SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals

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