Dr Joshua Owen

Profile

I am a Lecturer in the School of Mechanical Engineering with research interests that include corrosion science, electrochemistry, computational fluid dynamics, and additive manufacturing. My work centres on combining experimental and computational approaches to investigate corrosion and erosion-corrosion phenomena. A key aspect of this involves designing custom flow systems that replicate realistic operating conditions to study these processes in depth. This work contributes to solving major challenges in the shift toward renewable energy, particularly in areas such as carbon capture technologies, where infrastructure durability is critical.

My research also examines how advanced manufacturing techniques, especially additive manufacturing, can be used to develop corrosion resistant components. I work with closely with industry partners to ensure that my research delivers practical impact and supports the development of sustainable engineering solutions to mitigate material degradation.

Responsibilities

• School Lead for Outreach and Engagement

Research interests

My current research interests include:

• Flow accelerated corrosion and erosion-corrosion in harsh environments. Investigating material degradation under extreme conditions, such as those found in geothermal energy and carbon capture systems, through the study of flow accelerated corrosion and erosion-corrosion mechanisms.
• Additive manufacturing for corrosion resistant alloys. Exploring the role of additive manufacturing processes on the corrosion resistance of novel metal alloys using advanced electrochemical and surface analytical techniques.
• High temperature/high pressure electrochemistry. Developing electrochemical methods to study corrosion processes of carbon steel and corrosion resistant alloys under demanding elevated temperature and pressure conditions.
• Design of bespoke electrochemical flow cells. Creating custom flow systems for electrochemical analysis of corrosion phenomena, including inhibitor performance and localised corrosion behaviour.
• Corrosion modelling using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Simulating the transport of corrosive species and predicting corrosion rates of carbon steel in complex hydrodynamic environments using CFD-based approaches.

• ENVIRO-COAT: ENVIROnmentally assisted, engineered Corrosion prOducts for Aqueous corrosion miTigation

Qualifications

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• MEng Automotive Engineering, University of Leeds

Professional memberships

• Member of Institute of Corrosion (ICorr)
• Yorkshire and Humber Branch Chair for ICorr
• Young ICorr committee members

Student education

I am a Lecturer in Thermofluids within the School of Mechanical Engineering, where I supervise undergraduate and Masters projects focused on corrosion science, erosion-corrosion and CFD

Research groups and institutes

• Institute of Functional Surfaces
• Corrosion and flow assurance

Current postgraduate researchers

• Ryan Abou-Shakra
• Muhammad Hashir Zaheer
• Finlay Spence
• Harry Tookey