IMechE Joseph Bramah Medal Award Winner 2021

Dr Nigel Johnston was awarded the Joseph Bramah Medal 2021 For ‘For his experience and leadership in hydraulic fluid power research and teaching for over 35 years’.

The presentation was made by Professor Andrew Plummer, Mechatronics, Informatics and Control Group Board, Past Chair, at the 2022 BATH/ASME Symposium on Fluid Power and Motion Control.

The Joseph Bramah Medal is awarded for outstanding achievement tending to advance the science of mechanical engineering, particularly in the field of hydraulic engineering. Apply now!

Nigel Johnston’s research in fluid power began with his PhD from 1984 to 1987 in which he developed methods for measuring and modelling flow ripple and fluid borne noise in hydraulic systems. This work resulted in an ISO Standard for pump fluid-borne noise testing (ISO 10767-1: 1996). Following this took a research post and then and a lecturing post in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath, and is now a Reader (Associate Professor).

His past and current research interests include: modelling of the dynamic behaviour of pumps, pipelines and valves; noise in fluid power systems; valve stability; power-assisted steering systems; aircraft fuel systems; efficient fluid power; digital fluid power systems.

He has been Chair of the Bath/ASME Symposium on Fluid Power and Motion Control since 2004, a very rewarding role as it brings together fluid power experts from around the world for an annual get-together.

In his spare time, he lets his (receding) hair down by playing lead and bass guitar in rock and blues bands. The electric guitar sometimes makes its way into his lectures as it has proved to be a useful tool for sparking interest in the topics of noise and vibration.