University of Manchester
Supervisors: Dr Wuliang Yin, Dr Michael O’Toole & Professor Anthony Peyton
The project will involve the theoretical, numerical, and simulated analysis using a multi-physics approach to build models of electromagnetic and acoustic phenomena within a permeable non-linear media, validated by experiments. This includes the development and commissioning of bespoke instrumentation using a combination of standard laboratory systems, and task specific front-end transducers and electronics (inductions coils, etc), for the measurement of ferritic metals.
We have access to arrange of possible sample sets, from project-specific manufactured controls and phantoms, to material provided by commercial partners working in the UK Research Centre in NDE (RCNDE) network.
The specific objectives of the project are:
To investigate and understand the mechanisms of acoustic-magnetic interactions in ferrous steels with microstructural defects.
To develop new multi-modal non-destructive testing methodology utilizing acoustic-magnetic interactions.
Develop new models and mechanisms of analysis to understand measured data and generate hypotheses about the characteristics of the microstructure.
Design of experiments and commissioning of test rigs and bespoke sensor apparatus for measurement on known samples from past and current projects, and manufactured controls.
Supervision and Student Development
The research will be primarily supervised by Dr. Mike O’Toole who is a new academic in the Electromagnetic Sensing Group in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics enabling him to leverage his knowledge of electromagnetics and sensing for successful directing of this Ph.D. project. The student will gain access to a wide range of equipment/facilities within the research team and will be supported by Dr Wuliang Yin and Prof Tony Peyton. The proposed subject, focused on NDT of steel microstructure, could be relevant to the immediate demand of some of the industries who are a member of NDEvR and readily encompass safety and performance-critical components.
In addition to benefiting from the wide range of NDE courses offered by FIND-CDT, the candidate will be also provided with off-campus training courses in modelling, simulation tool, and programming as well as MATLAB and LabVIEW programming courses to acquire the essential coding and system integration skills.
The student will also benefit from association with the UK Research Centre in NDE (RCNDE) network, which provides further industry links and wider academic pool of collaborators and research opportunities (workshops, training, supplemental funding, etc).
