PhD Research Project

My Shortlist0

This project is no longer listed in the FindAPhD database
and may not be available.

Click here to view other PhD studentship opportunities at Cranfield University.

PhD Studentship - Image Processing for Mechanical Component Degradation Analysis

Institution:

Cranfield University

Dept/School/Faculty:

School of Applied Sciences

PhD Supervisor:

Prof R Roy

Co-Supervisor:

Dr J Mehnen

Application Deadline:

No more applications being accepted

Funding Availability:

Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)

PhD Research Project

Click here to visit the Cranfield University website

Supported by EPSRC and Rolls-Royce, a studentship up to £20,000 p.a. for 3 years plus UK/EU fees* is available

The £10.5 million EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Through-life Engineering Services will provide world-class capability in the UK to enable industry to deliver high value products with outstanding availability, predictability and reliability with the lowest life cycle cost. The core partners include Rolls-Royce plc, BAE Systems, MoD and Bombardier Transport. In addition, the Centre is also supported by seven industry partners and six Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTNs) and trade organisations.

Cranfield University is seeking a highly motivated graduate to undertake this exciting research project. The PhD researcher will develop image processing and data fusion techniques to identify degradation in mechanical components (e.g. aero engine components) and visualise compounded degradation for ‘as maintained’ perspective. It is expected that the researchers will perform image processing of thermal and X-Ray images.

The research will develop an experimental facility to characterise the type and extent of degradation during service. It is known that wear, cracking, fatigue and corrosion are the top degradation mechanisms for aerospace and similar complex engineering system components.

This project will develop a technology demonstrator to capture component failure, damage and degradation data using two well-known technologies: a 3D digitiser for the surface characteristics and surface cracks and thermography for corrosion, delaminations, impact damage and disbonds. XRay-CT images will also be used to identify internal cracks and defects. The researcher will specialise more on thermographic image capture and analysis and will be working closely with a research fellow.

Data from all these techniques will be fused together and analysed using novel algorithms and soft computing (e.g. neural networks, fuzzy logic) based approaches to identify the nature of wear, corrosion and cracking. It is anticipated that the research will develop an experimental facility to characterise the type and extent of degradation during service.

The successful candidate will be based at either Cranfield University and will also spend some time in industrial sponsor sites as and when needed.

Start Date: As soon as possible

Entry Requirements
Applicants should be classified as UK Home student and have a First or Second Class UK honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such mechanical/aerospace/manufacturing/electronics/computer science and engineering. Knowledge or experience and an MSc in a relevant subject are highly desirable. Experience in image processing and software programme development will be preferable.

For more information contact:

School of Applied Sciences
T: 44 (0)1234 754086
E: appliedsciences@cranfield.ac.uk
W: www.cranfield.ac.uk/sas/studentships?id=fap

Funding Notes:

Applicants must have:
• no restrictions on how long you can stay in the UK, i.e. no visa restrictions or have ‘settled status’, and
• have been ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of the grant and
• not been residing in the UK wholly or mainly for the purpose of full-time education. (This does not apply to UK or EU nationals).
For full details about eligibility please visit: http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/funding/students/pages/eligibility.aspx