PhD Studentship (Sponsored by Lloyd’s Register Foundation) – Non-Destructive in-line Inspection of components made by additive manufacture

Applications are invited to undertake a PhD programme in partnership with Lloyd’s Register Foundation.

Background -

Additive manufacture of metal components is recognised as a future technique to make large numbers of components, some of which may be relatively complex. Quality control of the layered structure is essential in critical components. Ideally this is carried out layer by layer using non-destructive (NDT) techniques as the metal is deposited, to avoid rejection of completed components.

Project Outline -

Additive manufacture (3D printing) is a recent development replacing machining for manufacture of complex components. This project will:
• Develop methods for non-destructive testing during the additive manufacture process
• Contribute to cutting edge manufacturing processes for critical components
• Have possibilities for investigations and developments, both with modelling and experiment, of sensors, electromagnetism, lasers, ultrasonics, thermography and X-Rays.
• Have opportunities to use signal processing and image analysis techniques

About the sponsor -

The Lloyd’s Register Foundation is a charity set up in 2012, which became fully operational in 2013, with a mission to enhance the safety of life and property and to advance public education in engineering-related subjects. For more information about the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, its activities and latest news visit our website: www.lrfoundation.org.uk

About NSIRC -

Projects will be based at NSIRC, a state-of-the-art postgraduate facility established and managed by structural integrity specialist TWI in Cambridge. NSIRC is sponsored by TWI, BP and Lloyd’s Register Foundation and students will work to deliver industry relevant research. PhDs will be supervised and awarded by one of our academic partners such as Brunel University London, Cambridge, Manchester, Loughborough, Birmingham, Leicester, Strathclyde, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Leeds, Cranfield and Coventry. For more information about The National Structural Integrity Research Centre, visit www.nsirc.co.uk

Candidate Requirements -

Candidates should have a relevant degree at 2.1 minimum, or an equivalent overseas degree in Mechanical, Electrical/Electronics or Civil/Structural Engineering, Material Science, Metallurgy or Physics. Candidates with suitable work experience and strong capacity in numerical modelling and experimental skills are particularly welcome to apply. Overseas applicants should also submit IELTS results (minimum 6.5) if applicable.