Ben Thomas

Dr Ben Thomas

  • Principal Academic In Sustainable Design
  • Poole House P301, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, BH12 5BB
UN SDGs:
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Biography

Since arriving at Bournemouth University in 2002 Ben has followed a lifelong passion for Sustainable Design through both research and teaching. Bournemouth University was approached by the RNLI around 2002 with a request to assist them with a number of launching issues with their new Tamar class lifeboats. It was found that they lifeboats were getting stuck on the launch slipways and that the workaround solution of manually applying grease to the slipway was resulting in potentially harmful substances bio-accumulating around the base of the slipway. Following the award of MSc Sustainable Design (2004) Ben was offered the opportunity to study this problem in direct collaboration with the RNLI. This resulted in the development of a novel, water-based lubrication solution and upgraded slipway panel fitting criteria for the RNLI that eliminated the need for grease to be used on the launch slipway. This work was subsequently shortlisted for the Times Higher Education awards in the category ‘Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology’ in 2010...

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Research

Ben has continued to be active in sustainable design research following the award of his own PhD entitled ‘Sustainable Design of Lifeboat Slipways’ in 2009. This has included research work in collaboration with SKF, Longitude Consulting Engineers Ltd., the Balmain trust and continued work with the RNLI. In addition Ben has developed a series of small scale research projects in collaboration with Oviedo University in Spain to investigate the material properties of recycled plastics.

Research topics within this field include the potential for mixed recycled plastics as a replacement for low-grade Polyurethane wheels, the characterisation of High Impact Polystyrene material properties under repeated recycle cycles, the characterisation of ABS material properties under repeated recycle cycles and the acoustic potential for recycled plastics to replace then use of hardwood tone woods in certain musical instruments.

Wider research topics also include lubricant condition monitoring work with the RNLI aimed at developing a novel, real-time condition based maintenance schedule for RNLI craft to reduce costs and to minimise maintenance induced failure. Ben also acts as supervisor to research work in collaboration with SKF looking at the characterisation of surface flaws on Silicon Nitride ball bearings.

Current research activities include two new match-funded PhD studentships entitled ‘Cradle to Cradle: Recyclable Materials Applied to Small Marine Leisure Craft’ (in association with Longitude Engineering), and ‘An Optimised Tidal energy Design for Poole Harbour’ (in association with the Balmain trust) as well as on-going plastics recycling work.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person's work contributes towards the following SDGs:

Affordable and clean energy

"Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all"

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Affordable and clean energy

"Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all"

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Affordable and clean energy

"Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all"

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Industry, innovation and infrastructure

"Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation"

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Industry, innovation and infrastructure

"Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation"

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Industry, innovation and infrastructure

"Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation"

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Responsible consumption and production

"Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns"

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Responsible consumption and production

"Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns"

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Responsible consumption and production

"Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns"

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Climate action

"Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts"

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Climate action

"Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts"

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Climate action

"Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts"

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Journal Articles

Conferences

  • Saifullah, A., Thomas, B., Cripps, R., Tabeshfar, K., Wang, L., 2023. An analysis of rotationally moulded sandwich structure's repeated impact properties. Aip Conference Proceedings, 2607.
  • saifullah, A., Thomas, B., Cripps, R., Wang, L., 2020. Repeated impact properties of rotationally moulded skin-foam-skin sandwich structure. In: ANTEC 2020 30/03/2020 San Antonio, TX, USA.
  • Anand, M., Hadfield, M., viesca, J.-L., Thomas, B., 2019. Experimental Study on the Effect of Marine Engine Lubricant Degradation on Tribological Performance of Cylinder Liner and Piston Rings Contact Using a Tuning Fork Technology Based Oil Sensor. In: International Conference on Marine Engineering and Technology 05/11/2019 Military Technological college, Muscat, Oman.
  • Roberts, A., Thomas, B., Sewell, P., Aslani, N., Balmain, S., Balmain, I., Gillman, J., 2016. The potential of the water hammer in pico-scale tidal power systems: An experimental investigation. 4th International Symposium on Environment Friendly Energies and Applications Efea 2016.
  • Hall, A., Herbert, R.J.H., Britton, R., Thomas, B., 2016. How persistent are assemblages upon wooden and rock groyne “reefs”? In: International Temperate Reef Symposium 26/06/2016 Pisa, Italy.
  • Saifullah, A., Thomas, B., Tabeshfar, K., Cripps, B., 2016. Rotationally moulded thermoplastic sandwich composites in small marine leisure craft: Fracture properties and damage analysis of the composite structure. Rina Royal Institution of Naval Architects Innovations in Small Craft Technology 2016.
  • Saifullah, A., Thomas, B., Tabeshfar, K., Cripps, B., 2016. Rotationally moulded thermoplastic sandwich composites in small marine leisure craft: Fracture properties and damage analysis of the composite structure. Rina Royal Institution of Naval Architects Innovations in Small Craft Technology 2016.
  • Saifullah, A., Thomas, B., Tabeshfar, K., Cripps, R., 2016. Impact properties analysis of rotationally molded polyethylene and polypropylene for a wide range of temperatures. Annual Technical Conference ANTEC Conference Proceedings, 1686-1689.
  • Anand, M., Hadfield, M., Thomas, B., Cantril, R., 2016. The Depletion of ZDDP Additives within Marine Lubricants and Associated Cylinder Liner Wear in RNLI Lifeboat Engines. In: 1st International Conference on Materials Design and Applications 30/06/2016 Porto, Portugal.
  • Anand, M., Hadfield, M., Thomas, B., Cantrill, R., Austen, S., Viesca, J.L., Garland, N., 2014. Experimental analysis of anti-wear performance of marine engine lubricants. In: 5th World Tribology Congress 08/09/2013 Torino, Italy.
  • Thomas, B., Hadfield, M., Austen, S., 2010. Alternative Lifeboat Slipway Bearing Materials. In: Leeds-Lyon Symposium on Tribology 2010 07/09/2010 Leeds Trinity University College, The University of Leeds, UK.
  • Thomas, B., Hadfield, M., Austen, S., 2010. Wear and Friction performance of lifeboat launch slipways. In: Third International Conference on Tribology and Design 11/05/2010 Algarve, Portugal.
  • Thomas, B., Hadfield, M., Austen, S., 2010. Sustainable Design of Lifeboat Slipway Launches. In: 37th Leeds-Lyon Symposium on Tribology. Tribology for Sustainability: Economic, Environmental and Quality of Life 07/09/2010 Trinity and All Saints College, The University of Leeds, England.
  • Thomas, B., Hadfield, M., Austen, S., 2010. Wear and friction modelling on lifeboat launch slipway panels. TRIBOLOGY AND DESIGN, 209-+.
  • Thomas, B., Hadfield, M., Austin, S., 2008. Experimental Wear Modelling of Lifeboat Slipway Launches. Paper XXVIII(VI). In: 35th Leeds-Lyon Symposium on Tribology “Duncan Dowson at 80” 09/09/2008 Trinity and All Saints College, The University of Leeds, England.
  • Thomas, B., Hadfield, M., Austin, S., 2008. Wear Mechanisms Applied to Lifeboat Slipway Launches. In: 1st International Conference on Abrasive Processes 21/09/2008 Churchill College, Cambridge.
  • Thomas, B., 2008. Wear Mechanisms applied to Lifeboat Slipway Launches. In: 1st International Conference on Abrasive Processes 21/09/2008 Churchill College, Cambridge.
  • Thomas, B., 2008. Sustainable Design of Lifeboat Slipways. In: 35th Leeds-Lyon Symposium on Tribology “Duncan Dowson at 80” 09/09/2008 Trinity and All Saints College, The University of Leeds, England.
  • Thomas, B., 2005. Sustainable Design of Lifeboat Slipways. In: Reception for Younger Engineers at the House of Commons 06/12/2005 Portcullis House, Westminster, London.
  • Thomas, B., hadfield, M., martinez, S.. Potential Application of Recycled Plastic Materials as a Replacement for Polyurethane Wheels. In: Tribology and Design 2012 03/09/2012 Kos, Greece. WIT Press.

Theses

Posters

  • Hall, A., Britton, J.R., Thomas, B., Herbert, R., Hull, S., 2017. Can ecological enhancement be used to improve artificial structures within marine protected areas? In: Marine Protected Areas. Science, Policy & Management, Poole 15-17 May 2017.

PhD Students

  • Adam Roberts. An Optimised Tidal Energy Design for Poole Harbour
  • Abu Saifullah. Cradle to Cradle: Recyclable Materials Applied to Small Marine Leisure Craft
  • Alice Hall. Can inshore structures halt marine biodiversity loss?
  • Mayank Anand. Oil Condition Monitoring Systems for RNLI Lifeboats
  • Abdul Waheed Awan. Defect Characterisation in Silicon Nitride Bearings

Profile of Teaching PG

  • 2014-09 DEC: M - Materials Optimisation for Sustainability
  • 2014-09 DEC: M - Materials Optimisation for Sustainability (Flexible Learning)
  • 2014-09 DEC: M - Individual Masters Project

Profile of Teaching UG

  • DEC: I - Resources and Environment
  • DEC: H - Design Projects 3
  • Design Projects [BADBMS/I]
  • 2014-09 DEC: H - Final Design Project
  • 2014-09 DEC: H - Future Trends and Sustainability
  • (2017/2018-...) BEng Engineering Flexible Learning Project

Grants

  • Water Hammer Engine Project - Student Research Assistant (BU Student Project Bank, 23 Jan 2017). Awarded
  • ‘Cradle to Cradle: Recyclable Materials Applied to Small Marine Leisure Craft’ (BU / Longitude engineering, 01 Jan 2014). Awarded
  • ‘An Optimised Tidal energy Design for Poole Harbour’ (BU / Balmain trust, 01 Jan 2014). Awarded
  • Investigation into potential academic and research collaboration with the University of Applied Sciences - Wurzburg-Schweinfurt (BU, 02 Jan 2012). Awarded
  • Potential research collaboration with Carlow Institute of Technology, TU Delft and Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (BU, 07 Jun 2011). Awarded

External Responsibilities

  • Plymouth University, Award External Examiner (2015-2017)
  • Plymouth University, Subject External Examiner (2013-2017)
  • University College Yeovil, Link Tutor

Qualifications

  • PhD in Friction and Wear Performance of Lifeboat Launch S (Bournemouth University, 2009)
  • MSc in Sustainable Product Design (Bournemouth University, 2005)
  • BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering (Newcastle University, 2002)

Honours

  • Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology - Nominated (Times Higher Education Awards, 2010)

Memberships

  • Higher Education Academy, Senior Fellow (2014-),
The data on this page was last updated at 22:00 on February 14, 2026.