Micro -NDE PALS (funding for UK students)

PhD in positron annihilation measurements for Non-Destructive Testing & Evaluation

We have a funded PhD place for UK PhD students in an exciting new research collaboration - using positron annihilation to quantify the level of microscopic defects in a sample, with the aim of detecting and measuring material degradation in a metal before a sample develops a serious or even catastrophic defect. No other existing NDT/NDE techniques have the potential sensitivity of this new approach, applying the measurement from one side of a sample to make it practically viable, using state of the art equipment to measure the short positron lifetimes to extremely high accuracy. The successful applicant will be jointly supervised by Steve Dixon and Jon Duffy, with the opportunity to work on a range of cutting edge experimental techniques - applying physics to tackle a real world problem. You'd be responsible for developing a brand new instrument that we'd aim to get into real world trials at the end of the project. Potential applications span all areas of power generation, aerospace, civil engineering and all other areas where metals can degrade over time where the damage starts as microscopic cracks or voids or even changes in the dislocations present in the metal component.

For a more detailed information on the project please click here.

For information on how to apply then please click here.

PhD in high temperature focused EMAT arrays

We have a funded PhD place for UK PhD students through the FIND-CDT. This is developing new electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) arrays for operation at high temperatures. The ability to perform the higher resolution imaging possible using an array, albeit with a small number of elements, at high temperature, will cause a stepchange in NDT. By using EMATs it will also be possible to inspect using different wavemodes generated using the same array, and combine results from each inspection together using data fusion. This PhD will develop equipment, and focus on new data processing and data fusion methods, creating a next generation inspection system that is greater than the sum of its parts.

For a more detailed information on the project please click here.

For information on how to apply then please click here.

PhD in blending ultrasound data with physics-based models to predict damage in structural systems

Monitoring of damage degradation in materials is vital as any cracks will reduce local stiffness, accelerating the ageing process of the physical assets. In-situ ultrasonic monitoring data is valuable for giving the inspectors information on the level of what may be wrong with the structural systems. However, purely data-driven representations do not always give inspectors enough information and the ability to predict how the system will behave in the future. This can be achieved by utilising some knowledge of the physics that underpins the system. This project will use the fusion of experimental data and physical models for failure prediction of materials, by taking measurements and developing models that are hybrid in nature. This project is funded through HetSys with a focus on the modelling, but with the ability to perform experiments to guide and confirm results.

For a more detailed information on the project please click here.

For information on how to apply then please click here.

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PhDs / EngDs / MSc by Research starting October 2024

If you are self-funded student, then please get in touch with us to discuss some options, as we have a range of potential PhD / EngD / MSc by Research projects available in the areas of:

Ultrasonic flow measurement

Liquid crystal ultrasonic detectors

Ultrasonic NDT

Ultrasonic transduction using magnetostrictive patch sensors

Robotic NDT using EMATs and eddy current sensors

In principle, self-funded students can start at any time, but it is sometimes better to start in October and go through the induction process with the other new posgrad starters.

If you would like to discuss the option of going for one of the Warwick Scholarships, then please read the University website to find out more about what you could apply for and then contact us to discuss. Bear in mind that some of the Scholarship schemes have an deadline that can be almost 1 year before the actual start of the PhD, so plan ahead:

https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/schols_fund/scholarships_and_funding/

If you wish to discuss PhD or EngD or MSc by Research opportunities then please contact either:

Steve Dixon (S.M.Dixon@warwick.ac.uk) - flow, magnetostrictive patches, eddy currents, ultrasonic NDT

or

Rachel Edwards (R.S.Edwards@warwick.ac.uk) - liquid crystals, robotics, ultrasonic NDT