Contact Dr Irfan Khan

Areas of expertise

  • Defence Sensors
  • Instrumentation, Sensors and Measurement Science
  • Mechatronics & Advanced Controls

Background

Dr. Irfan Khan is a Lecturer in Mechatronics within the Autonomy and Mechatronics Group at the Centre for Defence Engineering and Physical Sciences, based at Cranfield Defence and Security, Shrivenham.

His research spans a wide range of areas, with a particular focus on robotics, nonlinear control, embedded systems, mechatronics, and materials. These multidisciplinary fields intersect to address complex, real-world challenges in demanding environments.

Dr. Khan holds a BSc (2005–2009) and an MSc (2011–2013) in Mechatronics. He earned his PhD from the University of Sheffield in 2017, where his research centred on vibration suppression in flexible structures using hybrid active and semi-active control techniques. His work was recognised internationally, earning him the "Best Vibration Paper" award at the ASME DSCC 2016 conference in Minneapolis, USA.

He has been affiliated with two internationally renowned research groups: the Dynamics Research Group (DRG) and the Engineering Nonlinearity (ENL) programme. As part of the £4.2M EPSRC-funded ENL programme grant (EP/K003836/1), he contributed to research involving a consortium of leading UK universities: Sheffield, Bristol, Cambridge, Southampton, and Swansea, alongside major industrial partners including Airbus, EDF, ESI, Leonardo, Rolls-Royce, Romax Technology, and Stirling Dynamics.

Following his PhD, Dr. Khan worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) at the Centre for Energy and Infrastructure Ground Research (CEIGR) at the University of Sheffield from May 2017 to December 2019. During this time, he was involved in the design and development of a climate control chamber for a 50gT, 4-metre diameter beam centrifuge, and a data acquisition system for a 1.1-metre diameter centrifuge. He also supported consultancy projects for various international clients.

Dr Khan joined Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é in January 2020.

Current activities

Dr Khan research focuses on the robotics, nonlinear control, embedded systems, mechatronics, and materials. Currently he is working on the design and development of robotics vehicles for a mechatronics platform along with vehicle HUMS. Importantly he balances teaching and research, with both vital to his academic/professional growth.

Dr Khan has been involved in teaching a wide range of modules/courses for multiple MSc/SCs. He is the Module lead (Mobility) / Deputy module lead (Survivability) within BTC MSc, Topic lead (Electronic-AT Course) / Topic lead (Electrical Power & Safety-Officers Petroleum Course) and PI for biannual JODDB (Jordan) DTC course.

The breadth of Irfan’s academic / teaching support and contribution to the CDS/wider CU is illustrated by his involvement in a wide range of MSc modules, SCs and UK MOD courses:

• Ammunition Technician – Electronics

• UAV for Mechatronics (SC)

• Generalised AI Foundation (SC)

• Officers Petroleum Course – Electrical Power and Safety

• Modelling, Simulation and Control

• Power Electronics

• Uninhibited Military Vehicles System

• Military Aircraft Systems

• Survivability (SC)

• BTC Mobility

• BTC Survivability

• Armoured Fighting Vehicle and Weapon System Study

• Vehicle System Integration

• Uninhibited Aircraft Systems

• BTC IMST

• Military Aircraft Survivability

• Munition and Target Response

• Ballistic (SC)

Clients

  • Ministry of Defence
  • BAE Systems PLC

Publications

Articles In Journals

Conference Papers

Books