Jesper Christensen started his “mechanical engineering” activities as an engine fitter apprentice working on large marine propulsion systems; a 3 year degree. After completion he enrolled at University studying “Industrial Engineering”; and was awarded a BSc in 2007. Following this he completed his MSc in “Design of Mechanical Systems” in 2010. During his studies he undertook several industrial based projects focused on optimisation; e.g. the development of an antivibration mount to improve fatigue life for a 250kg sewage pump in collaboration with Grundfoss. Before completing his MSc he also undertook a 4 month placement at Jaguar Land Rover focusing on FE correlation of foam material models for automotive seating. Since joining Coventry University Jesper’s work has primarily focused on the development and implementation of optimisation algorithms for lightweighting applications, and has led to several invited presentations; for example to the German Association for Computational Mechanics, Dresden, 2012 and at in the House of Commons at the Set For Britain event in 2013. He was awarded his PhD on the topic of “Topology Optimisation of Structures Exposed to Large (non-linear) Deformations” in September 2015. Jesper is an active member of the IMeche and the STEM network.

Area of Expertise:

Optimisation algorithm development and implementation with an emphasis on topology optimisation

I am fascinated by optimisation principles and the enormous potential they hold for dramatically changing the future of almost all engineering disciplines. This potential is expanded on a daily basis e.g. with the increased utilisation of composite materials, innovate manufacturing methods, more demanding structural performance requirements and improved simulation capabilities; most structural optimisation algorithms and techniques are however in their infancy. With an emphasis on structural optimisation it is my aim to develop significant optimisation tools for the future of (virtual) engineering.