Professor Chris Sansom FHEA FRGS

Chris Sansom is Professor of CSP (Concentrating Solar Power), and Leads the Zero Carbon Research Theme, at the University of Derby. After his PhD, he worked in research labs for Plessey, GEC, Marconi, and PerkinElmer, before entering academia with Cranfield University where he remains a Visiting Professor. He was also an Open University (OU) course tutor and Associate Lecturer for over 35 years.

Chris is the sole UK representative on the EERA-Joint Committee on CSP which steers EU research in CSP and heads up the Line-Focus research group with the JC-CSP. He is a member of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES), a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS). He has considerable teaching experience and is a former MSc Course Director and lecturer on low carbon and renewable energy topics. Within the University of Derby, he leads all research related to Zero Carbon. This research is divided into three research Centres:

  • Centre for Energy, Manufacturing, and Materials
  • Centre for Future Mobility and Built Environment
  • Centre for Nature-Based Solutions

Research interests

His current CSP research includes concentrating solar power for electrical power generation, solar collector characterisation and ageing evaluation, polymer films for solar power plant heliostats and line-focus solar collectors, linear Fresnel community-scale CSP, heliostat design and manufacture, solar thermal heating and cooling, solar-driven desalination and water purification, thermal storage, and nanostructured thermoelectric devices for energy harvesting.

Within the broader “zero-carbon” field he is active in the decarbonisation of UK power generation (renewable energy, energy storage in particular), low-carbon built environment and smart cities, carbon capture and storage, low carbon transport, as well as the environmental and social impact of zero-carbon technologies on local communities.

Qualifications

  • PG Cert: Learning, Teaching, and Assessment in Higher Education, Cranfield, 2010
  • PG Dip: Manufacturing Management and Technology, Open University, 1991
  • D Phil: “Far-infrared reflectivity of lead-tin-telluride isotype heterojunctions”, University of Sussex, 1982
  • BSc Hons: Physics, University of Liverpool, 1976

He also has a black-belt six-sigma qualification from Warwick University and holds the National Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. He is also a member of the International Association of Bookkeepers (MIAB).

Professor Chris Sansom FHEA FRGS

Chris Sansom is Professor of CSP (Concentrating Solar Power), and Leads the Zero Carbon Research Theme, at the University of Derby. After his PhD, he worked in research labs for Plessey, GEC, Marconi, and PerkinElmer, before entering academia with Cranfield University where he remains a Visiting Professor. He was also an Open University (OU) course tutor and Associate Lecturer for over 35 years. Chris is the sole UK representative on the EERA-Joint Committee on CSP which steers EU research in CSP and heads up the Line-Focus research group with the JC-CSP. He is a member of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES), a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS). He has considerable teaching experience and is a former MSc Course Director and lecturer on low carbon and renewable energy topics. Within the University of Derby, he leads all research related to Zero Carbon. This research is divided into three research Centres:
  • Centre for Energy, Manufacturing, and Materials
  • Centre for Future Mobility and Built Environment
Centre for Nature-Based Solutions

Research interests

His current CSP research includes concentrating solar power for electrical power generation, solar collector characterisation and ageing evaluation, polymer films for solar power plant heliostats and line-focus solar collectors, linear Fresnel community-scale CSP, heliostat design and manufacture, solar thermal heating and cooling, solar-driven desalination and water purification, thermal storage, and nanostructured thermoelectric devices for energy harvesting.

Within the broader “zero-carbon” field he is active in the decarbonisation of UK power generation (renewable energy, energy storage in particular), low-carbon built environment and smart cities, carbon capture and storage, low carbon transport, as well as the environmental and social impact of zero-carbon technologies on local communities.

Qualifications

  • PG Cert: Learning, Teaching, and Assessment in Higher Education, Cranfield, 2010
  • PG Dip: Manufacturing Management and Technology, Open University, 1991
  • D Phil: “Far-infrared reflectivity of lead-tin-telluride isotype heterojunctions”, University of Sussex, 1982
  • BSc Hons: Physics, University of Liverpool, 1976

He also has a black-belt six-sigma qualification from Warwick University and holds the National Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety. He is also a member of the International Association of Bookkeepers (MIAB).

Experience in industry

Having worked in industry for over twenty years Prof Sansom has a good understanding of the needs of manufacturing and service industries. He led research teams in Plessey, GEC, and Marconi in the manufacturing sector, and also experienced service industry development whilst Operations Manager at Amazon Inc. During his 20 years in academia he has helped many start-up companies and SMEs to develop their products and processes.

International experience

Prof Sansom has many international links through his research on Concentrating Solar Power over the last fifteen years.

Recent collaborations include work with Egypt, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Jordan, India, Algeria, Pakistan, Palestine, and Nigeria.

Additional interests and activities

Patents

  • ‘Device for producing electricity’ – filed and pending, Crawley F., Luo Z., Hussaini Z. A., Sansom C., GB2117824.9, PCT/EP2022/084437

Book contributions:

  • A. Fernandez-García, F. Sutter, L. Martínez-Arcos ,L. Valenzuela , C. Sansom; Chapter 2 pp 29-43, “Advanced mirror concepts for concentrating solar thermal systems”; in “Advances in Concentrating Solar Thermal Research and Technology”, Edited by Manuel Blanco and Lourdes Ramirez Santigosa, (Jan 2017). Published by Elsevier, ISBN: 978-0-08-100516-3. DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-08-100516-3.00002-2
  • C Sansom and A A Rezazadeh; Chapter 2, “Active devices and fabrication technology”, in “MMIC Design” edited by I.D.Robertson (1995), Published by IEE, ISBN 0 852968167
  • C L Sansom, J A Turner, and D J Warner; Chapter 5.2, “Future aspects: Manufacturing issues”, in “Gallium Arsenide technology in Europe” edited by J. Mun and A A M’baye (1994), Published by Springer, ISBN 3 540 57906 0
In the media

Newspaper and Magazine contributions:

Press releases:

TV

  • Interviewed on BBC programme “Politics East Midlands” on 9th October 2022. Topic: Onshore wind (starts at 24:00 mins)

Radio    

  • Interviewed on Virgin Radio (Chris Evans morning show): News item and recorded interview on solar cookers for Ghana and Nigeria, 25th May 2023
  • Interviewed on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire on the “Naked Scientist” programme on 25th August 2022. Topic: Desalination in the UK

Recent publications

Two examples of current work with high global impact:

Solar Cooker and Electrical charging system

For off-grid locations with high solar insolation, we are developing a cooker powered by concentrated sunlight. Waste heat is also harvested and converted to electricity for mobile phone charging.

Desalination and Water purification

For remote locations with high solar insolation, including refugee camps and disaster zones, we are developing a desalination/water purification system. The system uses concentrated sunlight to provide heat to evaporate and subsequently condense saltwater or contaminated water for agricultural irrigation or as the first stage of a potable water process.