3D Vision for Robots with Photonic Chip Interferometers (SAM10)

Application details:
Reference number: SAM07/2020#2
Start date of studentship: 01 October 2020
Closing date of advert: 03 August 2020

Supervisors:
Primary supervisor: Prof. J M Huntley
Secondary supervisor: Dr P D Ruiz

The development of high-speed high-accuracy metrology systems, embedded on the production line, is seen by many industries as a key enabling technology in high value manufacturing. Novel sensors to achieve this goal, based on frequency scanning interferometry, have been developed in our Optical Engineering Research group, and the first chip-scale versions are now being manufactured at the Optoelectronics Research Centre at Southampton.

The project will involve assessing the performance of these multi-functional devices when used with very high sweep rate laser sources as sensors for the measurement of absolute distance, vibration and surface roughness. Ultimately the devices will be deployed in one or more technology demonstrators involving real-time feedback for robotic machining and assembly operations. Collaborations will be sought with instrument manufacturers and end users in the aerospace/automotive sectors to assist in commercialising the technology.

The successful candidate will be an active and valued member of the Future Metrology Hub, a £10m EPSRC-funded collaboration between 4 academic institutions (Huddersfield, Loughborough, Sheffield and Bath Universities) and over 40 industrial partners that together provide outstanding networking and future career progression opportunities.

Loughborough University
Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014). In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Doctoral College, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career.

Find out more: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/supporting-you/research/

Entry requirements
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in a physical sciences subject (physics, electrical or mechanical engineering, mathematics etc). A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in one or more of the following will be an advantage: optical engineering, metrology, robotics.

How to apply
All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. Under programme name, select ‘Mechanical, Electrical & Manufacturing Engineering.

Please quote reference number: ‘SAM07/2020#2’