Fully Funded EPSRC iCASE and Airbus Operations Ltd PhD Scholarship: Digital Image Correlation for Mechanical Testing at Cryogenic Temperature

Funding suppliers: EPSRC iCASE and Airbus Operations Restricted 

Topic areas: Experimental Mechanics, Digital Picture Correlation (DIC), Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Supplies, Cryogenics, Hydrogen

Venture begin date: 

• 1 October 2024 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Aligned programme of examine: PhD in Biomedical Engineering

Venture description: 

Hydrogen is likely one of the main candidates for the propulsion of subsequent era plane. Airbus’ Constructions Take a look at division is serious about constantly creating and refining an understanding of how supplies and elements behave when uncovered to the cryogenic temperatures required to retailer hydrogen in its liquid type. The present strategies for instrumenting specimens for assessments carried out at cryogenic temperatures are restricted. Digital picture correlation (DIC) is a non-contact optical measurement method that may seize full-field displacement and pressure on elements underneath take a look at. DIC is very adaptable and is broadly utilized in mechanical testing when complicated, non-uniform pressure fields are anticipated and the place point-based measurements (e.g. pressure gauges) are inadequate. With the rising want to check supplies and elements at cryogenic temperatures comes the necessity to instrument these assessments with data-rich strategies that perform in difficult cryogenic temperatures. The challenge will purpose to develop novel approaches to allow the usage of DIC throughout cryogenic mechanical testing and considerably advance the present instrumentation capabilities in preparation for testing the following era plane.

DIC depends on good optical entry and a well-sized, high-contrast sample with the right adhesion and deformability for the construction and sturdiness for its atmosphere. Relying on the supplies of curiosity, the floor might change into compromised in cryo-temperatures, hydrogen atmosphere in addition to the optics themselves, lowering the picture high quality. Equally in situ mechanical testing with any imaging strategies has its personal challenges at low temperatures, e.g., thermal results on the load practice and pattern mounts. The Workforce on the Biomedical Engineering Simulation & Testing Lab (BEST Lab), led by Dr Arora, are actively pushing the boundaries of DIC, in addition to particle picture velocimetry (PIV) and digital quantity correlation (DVC) amongst different image-based experimental mechanics strategies. Measurements in difficult circumstances are a spotlight of the Workforce for >15 years. The problem of cryo-imaging might require bespoke and novel options to the imaging setup. Such challenges working in excessive environments and translation from the lab to fieldwork have been addressed by the Workforce over time. The Workforce has expertise engaged on massive buildings and subject assessments, guaranteeing DIC finest observe stays in place in sensible industrial settings. Challenges with pressure corrections because of variable distortions, sample sturdiness, software compatibility and method effectiveness underneath managed cryo-temperatures must be pursued on this studentship.

Eligibility

Candidates should maintain an undergraduate diploma at 2.1 degree (or Non-UK equal as outlined by Swansea College) in Engineering or comparable related science self-discipline. In case you are eligible to use for the scholarship (i.e. a scholar who’s eligible to pay the UK fee of tuition charges) however don’t maintain a UK diploma, you may verify our comparability entry necessities. Please word that you could be want to offer proof of your English Language proficiency.

This scholarship is open to candidates of any nationality.

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