Ali Daraji joined Coventry University in 2017 as an Assistant Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering and has since been promoted to Lecturer and Senior Lecturer. With over fifteen years of academic and industrial experience internationally, he brings extensive expertise to his role. Dr. Daraji was awarded a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Newcastle University in 2013, with research titled "Active Vibration Control of Flexible Structures by Optimally Placed Piezoelectric Sensors and Actuators." Following this, he undertook two years of postdoctoral research at Lancaster University, focusing on dynamic structures that convert vibration into electrical power to power structural health monitoring systems.

Dr. Daraji’s research interests are centered on dynamic passive and smart structures, with a particular emphasis on the optimization of active vibration control for flexible structures, piezoelectric energy harvesting (converting dynamic strain to power), and active structural health monitoring using fundamental and ultrasonic frequencies. His research methodologies include advanced finite element modelling, genetic algorithms, optimal control theories, and simulations using tools such as Ansys Workbench, APDL, Matlab, and Simulink. He has authored more than twenty peer-reviewed articles in the field of dynamic smart structures.

Dr. Daraji holds a first-class BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering, ranking first out of thirty-two graduates, followed by a first-class MSc in Mechanical Engineering/Dynamic Structures. After completing his studies in 1988, he began lecturing at the University of Technology in Baghdad, where he served for over fifteen years. In addition to his academic role, he worked as a consultant, leading engineering and technician teams on a variety of industrial projects in collaboration with companies in the engineering sector.

Teaching experience

M49MAE: Stress and Dynamic Analysis II/ MEng level 7

208ME/5034MAA/5002ME: Analytical Modelling (FEA and maths) Level 5

5035MAE/5003ME: Solid Mechanics and Dynamics/ Level 5. 

326MAE: Stress and Dynamic Analysis I / Level 6. 

340MAE: Extended Stress and Dynamic Analysis / Level 6. 

4000ME: Mechanical Science / Level 4

CAE software Coordinator. 

Ali Daraji is interested in the modelling of dynamic passive and smart structures using finite elements,  simulation in Ansys workbench, APDL, Matlab and simulink packages and experimental methods, focusing on: 

1. Active vibration control of flexible structures by optimally placing of discrete piezoelectric sensors and actuators using genetic algorithms. 

2. Optimisation of energy harvesting by converting structural vibration to electric power.

3. Monitoring, detection and localisation of cracks and damage in mechanical structures using fundamental and ultrasonic frequencies.

4. Optimal placement of discrete piezoeelectric sensors and actuators using genetic algorithms and developed methodologies for active vibration control, energy harvesting and structure health monitoring. 

Selected published papers

• Bendine, K., Gomes, G.F., Pereira, J.L.J. et al. A novel optimized artificial neural networks-based controller for smart morphing wings. Mach. Learn. Comput. Sci. Eng 1, 8 (2025).
• Daraji, A. H., J. Ye, and J. Hale, Optimisation of active SHM systems based on optimal number and placement of piezoelectric transducers. Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 2022,0,0

• Daraji, A. H., J. M. Hale, and J. Ye, Optimisation of energy harvesting for stiffened composite shells with application to the aircraft wing at structural flight frequency. Thin-Walled Structures Journal, 2021, 161, 107392
• Daraji, A. H., J. M. Hale, and J. Ye, New methodology for optimal placement of piezoelectric sensor/actuator pairs for active vibration control of flexible structures. Journal of Vibration and Acoustic transactions of the ASME, 2018, v.140(1),01105-13
• Daraji, A. H., J. M. Hale, and J. Ye, Active Vibration control of a doubly curved composite shell stiffened by beams bonded with macro fibre composite sensor/actuator pairs. Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement and Control Transaction of the ASME, 2018, 140(12), 121009.
• Daraji, A. H., J. M. Hale, and J. Ye, New methodology for optimal placement of piezoelectric sensor/actuator pairs for active vibration control of flexible structures. Journal of Vibration and Acoustic transaction of the ASME. 2017,140(1), 011015.
• Daraji, A. H. and J. M. Hale, Reduction of structural weight, costs and complexity of control system in active vibration reduction of flexible structures. Journal of Smart Materials and Structures. 2014,v.23, 115018.
• Daraji, A. H. and J. M. Hale, Active vibration control by optimally placed piezoelectric sensors and actuators with application to stiffened plate by beams. Journal of Smart Materials and Structures, 2014, v.23, 115018.

 The following link includes Ali Daraji PhD thesis.

https://theses.ncl.ac.uk/dspace/handle/10443/2484

 The following link shows a movie of a PhD rig and experiment for vibration control.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ITlzOYQb6M

 The following link shows a movies of optimal placement of sensors and actuators using genetic algorithms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDUP5oHuChE

PhD in mechanical engineering