Glasgow's Starthclyde University Naval Architecture researchers win award for best paper

A team of researchers from the University of Strathclyde has received an award for the best paper published in an international research journal.

The team – Professor Gerasimos Theotokatos,Professor Evangelos Boulougouris and PhD alumni Dr Sokratis Stoumpos and Dr Victor Bolbot – has been presented with the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) Denny Silver Gilt Medal for best research paper. All are based in Strathclyde’s Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering (NAOME).

The medal has been awarded for a paper titled Simulation-based investigation of a marine dual fuel engine, which was published in the published in the Journal of Marine Engineering and Technology (JMET) in 2020. 

The award is made for the best research paper to appear in JMET or the Journal of Operational Oceanography. It was presented to Professor Theotokatos, as lead author of the paper, at a meeting of IMarEST’s Council by IMarEST President Martin Shaw. 

In selecting the winner, the editors reflect on both journals’ ambitions to explore the latest developments in the field for industrial practitioners and academia. The editors take into consideration the technical quality of the paper and the accuracy and completeness of the content. They also considered such factors as originality, significance to the research community, impact, and the clarity of presentation. 

The study demonstrated the use of digital twins of high fidelity to investigate a dual-fuel engine operation and identify potential safety implications. This digital twin was developed integrating thermodynamic and functional control models. The study provides insights for the engine operation at extreme scenarios, the identification of hazards and their causes, and the provision of safety recommendations.

Professor Theotokatos said: “I am delighted that this prestigious medal was awarded for our research paper. This accolade demonstrates the impact of our research, which addresses immense challenges of the maritime industry. Research on digital twins highlights pathways to identify cost-effective solutions for enhancing safety and decarbonising the ship systems and maritime operations.

www.strath.ac.uk/whystrathclyde/news/2023/navalarchitectureresearcherswinawardforbestpaper/

“I am grateful to my former PhD students, Dr Stoumpos and Dr Bolbot, as well as to my colleague Professor Boulougouris, for their support to explore novel concepts on the interface of intelligent systems, digital twins and maritime safety.”