Quantum Hall Effect Magnetic sensors for investigating defects in metal structures

Applications are invited for a four-year research studentship in the field of advanced non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques leading to the award of an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) degree.

The project academic supervisor (Mohamed Missous, FREng, Professor of Semiconductor Materials and Devices) has developed a highly novel magnetic sensor based on Quantum Well Hall Effect (QWHE) phenomena. The Quantum nature of the design and materials structure underpins huge gains in dynamic range, sensitivity and temperature stability. The technology has already unlocked an unrivalled performance which is displacing Silicon Hall sensors in high end, 'conventional' applications (10million+ single QWHE sensors shipped over the last 5 years). These devices have various applications including the detection of defects and microstructural changes in ferromagnetic materials. One area of research opened up by these devices is the detection of magnetic Barkhausen Noise (BHN).

BHN measurements are used in non-destructive inspection of stress/strain and microstructures in a range of materials. BHN occurs when an AC magnetic field is applied to a ferromagnetic material, and is due to the sudden irreversible motion of magnetic domain walls as they are released from microstructural obstacles such as dislocations and grain boundaries. The measurements can provide high resolution microstructure related information, but classical detection techniques do not have the resolution (both spatial and magnetic), to extract the wealth of data available. Most BHN systems rely on coil-based detection of magnetic signals, and thus suffer from inherent limitations such as relatively large sensor sizes, frequency dependent operation and a dependence on total magnetic flux sampled (rather than flux density).

The aim of the EngD research is to develop innovative sensing techniques and systems leveraged on the quantum advantage and chip-scale fabrication. The work will involve understanding the current science behind the sensor platform and then developing the implementation for industrial applications through new sensor designs, interfacing electronics and validation testing. The research will ultimately lead towards the delivery of real time monitoring of materials microstructure in the form of high resolution BHN magneto-imaging.

The project is sponsored by TWI, through the TWI Technology Centre Wales. The student will spend the first year at the University of Manchester before relocating to the TWI Technology Centre, located in Port Talbot within easy reach of Cardiff and West Wales.

The studentship is offered through the EPSRC Doctoral Training in Quantitative NDE which is a partnership between a select group of universities and companies offering industrial doctorates designed to launch outstanding graduates into an engineering career. With close links to the related UK Research Centre in NDE, students are part of a vibrant community of more than 200 researchers and have access to a range of technical training courses delivered by world leading experts.

Funding Notes

We are seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for a doctorate at the University of Manchester. You will have at least an upper 2nd class honours degree in electrical engineering, physics or a related subject, and an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential.
UK/EU applicants with 3 years residency in the UK are eligible to receive a tax-free EPSRC bursary of over £16k per annum, plus a generous top up via TWI so that overall stipend will be more than £20k.


Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae, including a list of modules studied with grades obtained, to the Doctoral Training Centre Administrator Nina Hancock [Email Address Removed] +44 (0)20 7594 7068.

Closing date: (Until post filled)