HORIBA Chair of Advanced Propulsion Technologies to be established at UCL
The appointment to this new role reflects a shared commitment between HORIBA and UCL to accelerate research into zero‑emission transport, bridging fundamental science and industry to drive cleaner travel solutions.
HORIBA UK Limited (Head Office: Northampton, United Kingdom; Managing Executive: Richard Carter), a HORIBA Group company, announces that UCL has appointed Professor Thomas S. Miller as the inaugural HORIBA Chair of Advanced Propulsion Technologies in its Faculty of Engineering, effective September 2026.
This new chair expands the landmark partnership between UCL and HORIBA, which is dedicated to the decarbonisation of the transport sector, particularly through work on battery and fuel cell electric vehicles. Through this collaboration, HORIBA has committed to providing support for a senior academic post and two doctoral research students within UCL’s Advanced Propulsion Lab (APL), helping to develop the next generation of clean propulsion technologies and the engineers who will deliver them.
Located at UCL East on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the APL converges world-class expertise from Chemical and Mechanical Engineering to enable the high-precision measurement and validation of electrochemical propulsion systems under real-world conditions. This interdisciplinary approach provides a platform for addressing challenges across the full system, delivering solutions that connect breakthroughs in
basic research with practical technologies that can be deployed in the real-world.
Professor Miller currently serves as Director of the APL and is an internationally recognised materials scientist and electrochemist whose research focuses on electrochemical energy systems, including batteries, fuel cells and electrolysers. He is co-lead of the UCL Electrochemical Innovation Lab (EIL) and Deputy Director of UCL’s Global Industrial Technology Cooperation Centre. In his role as HORIBA Chair, he will lead research and training that will strengthen UCL’s ability to deliver technologies that enable cleaner, more efficient mobility.
Professor Miller said:
“The transition to net zero transport depends on us developing a much deeper understanding of how electrochemical systems behave under real operating conditions. This role provides a unique opportunity to connect fundamental science with industry relevant challenges, developing technologies and approaches that can be translated to deliver real-world impact. I am excited to build on the strong partnership between UCL and HORIBA to advance this work.”
Richard Carter, Managing Executive at HORIBA UK, said:
“Solving the complex challenges of transport decarbonisation requires closer collaboration between industry and academia than ever before. By combining pioneering research with real-world application, we can accelerate the innovations needed to create a cleaner, safer and more sustainable future. HORIBA is proud to be at the forefront of this journey. Our partnership with UCL reflects a shared commitment to advancing knowledge, developing future talent, and translating breakthrough science into technologies that deliver meaningful impact. Professor Miller’s appointment marks an important milestone in strengthening that ambition and driving the next generation of advanced propulsion solutions.”
Angharad Milenkovic, Vice President (Advancement) at UCL said:
“Philanthropy and partnership are critical to enabling the step change in research and innovation needed to address global challenges. HORIBA’s support for this Chair is a powerful example of how collaboration between industry and academia can accelerate progress, bringing exceptional talent like Professor Miller to the forefront of work that will shape a more sustainable future.”
Professor Eva Sorensen, Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, said:
“Professor Miller’s appointment as the HORIBA Chair of Advanced Propulsion Technologies further strengthens UCL’s leadership in sustainable transport and brings together cutting-edge research and industry collaboration to deliver real-world, low carbon mobility solutions.”