Members of the Centre for Compressor Technology at City St George’s, University of London, recently attended the Herrick Conferences at Purdue University, where they presented four research papers covering the design, modelling, optimisation and experimental investigation of positive displacement machines.

Hosted by Herrick Laboratories since 1972, the international conferences bring together researchers and industry professionals working in compressor engineering, refrigeration, air-conditioning and high-performance buildings. More than 800 experts from approximately 30 countries attend the conferences to present cutting-edge research, exchange ideas, build professional connections and visit the facilities at Herrick Laboratories.

The Centre’s contributions reflected its broad research expertise, ranging from advanced screw machine modelling and lubricant degradation to generative design and experimental flow measurements.

The following papers were presented:

Participation in the Herrick Conferences provided an important opportunity for the team to share its latest research, engage with leading international experts and learn about developments across the compressor, refrigeration, air-conditioning sectors, lubrication and tribology.

Attending the 2026 Herrick Conferences was a very valuable and encouraging experience. Presenting my research gave me the opportunity to discuss my work with experts in lubricants and lubricant degradation for the first time. The discussions provided useful feedback, practical advice and new perspectives that will help guide the next stages of the project. It was particularly encouraging to see genuine interest in my research, as this gave me greater confidence that the project is addressing a relevant problem and progressing in the right direction.