Mech. Eng. PhD Projects

Most of these projects are identified as potentially having EPSRC studentship support, which is restricted to UK/EU students only, who have (or expect to obtain) a first or 2(1) class degree in a relevant subject. However, the projects could equally run with students supported by other means (e.g. overseas students on scholarships, self-funded, etc.) with an equivalent qualification.

Projects are listed below in the following subject areas:

• Design, Manufacture and Robotics
• Energy Technology, Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics
• Optical Engineering
• Renewable Energy
• Micromechanics
• BioMEMS and Nanotechnology

Please direct informal queries for further project information to the individual project supervisor. You can then find out more about how to apply.

Design, Manufacture and Robotics

Project title: The physics of nanomanufacturing
Supervisor: Dr. Xichun Luo

Nanoscience and technology have been growing rapidly over recent years and, to some extent, are increasingly demanding manufacturing engineers to provide enabling techniques and equipment for fabrication of nanostructured materials, components, devices and systems and to lead to breakthroughs in manufacturability of new industrial products. However, the physics of machining at nanometric scale, e.g. less than 100 nm, is not well understood due to the limitation of current observation technique.

This project will use Molecular Dynamics simulation and Monte Carlo simulation to study the physical phenomena at nanometer scale during ultra precision diamond turning and Ion Beam Figuring process respectively. It will develop two physical atomic models for these two manufacturing processes, i.e.molecular dynamics model for nanometric turning, and Monte Carlo model for Focused Ion Beam machining. The MD and MC simulations will be carried out to study chip formation mechanics; cutting forces generated; interactions between workpiece and the "hard" and "soft" tools; resulting temperatures; "size effects" in the domain of nanometric machining and their effects on the efficiency of the process and the surface quality of the workpiece. This fundamental research on nanometric machining will address the underlying necessities for predictabilty, producibility and productivity in manufacturing at the nanoscale.

Project title: Design of a 5-axis micromachining centre
Supervisor: Dr. Xichun Luo

It is widely appreciated that the development of precision manufacturing has greatly changed our lives in terms of increased living standards. High precision manufacturing not only offers quality and reliability for conventional products, but also makes possible entirely new products, especially where mechatronics, miniaturization and high performance are important.

The aim of this project is to establish an effective facility for mass production of micro/miniature products, including micro-optics, micro-fluidic devices for UK’s SME. A rigid machine structure together with novel machine motional axes lay-out will be designed to provide high loop stiffness and compact structure for this 5-axis micromachining centre. New air bearing, which can offer two times higher stiffness than the state-of-the-art air bearing, will be used in the machine slideways. A metrology frame will also be designed for this machine. Finite element approach will be used in modal analysis of the machine structural and its deformation under simulated machining forces. Error budget will be calculated to assess the machining accuracy of this machine that can achieve.

Project title: Physics-based modelling for analysis and diagnostics
Supervisor: Dr. Theo Lim

R&D into novel interfaces and tools to support medical CAD, mechanical CAD/CAM/CMM material removal and assembly operations. The research in this area includes Bio-Informatics and Medical CAD: modelling the human/animal/insect body parts given volumetric data and meta data (e.g. patient, genome) to assist medical diagnostics and surgery. Computational Biomodels for biomechanical and biophysiological studies. For CAD/CAM/CMM: designing and developing real time Boolean operators for material removal modelling and to build a suite of diagnostic tool to monitor tool wear and its impact on surface finish.

Project title: Rapid prototyping and technologies
Supervisor: Dr. Theo Lim

Research into medical RP would include the direct manufacture of biologically active implants and tissues, Prostheses and Implants, and support surgical planning. One area of research that could be highly significant for the future is in-vitro/vivo RP technologies. In engineering, the future holds for functionally graded materials (FGM) and the ability to manufacture smart materials with embedded devices.

Project title: Rapid Biophysics for VR
Supervisor: Dr. Theo Lim

Research into the human acquisition system, in particular the way a human is able to detect shape change, the ability to transform auditory input, visible gestures into design ideas, and to subconsciously sense texture from an image is what design environments of the future will likely wish to incorporate. This challenging project envisages developing a VR environment that uses Biophysical measurements of electrical and mechanical signals as a multi sensory input to drive design and for analysis.

Project title: Real-time physically-based exploration/modelling and VR
Supervisor: Dr. Theo Lim

R&D of novel methods and technologies for real-time exploration and analysis of data obtained through video streaming and/or scanning equipment. It is envisaged that the methods proposed here can alleviated some of the associated difficulties in vision augmented VR by producing focussed, dynamic 3D models from images generated by video streaming. The application will also take advantage of haptics to provide users with tactile and kinaesthetic feedback.

Energy Technology, Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics

Project Title: Electronics Cooling with Piezo Fans and Synthetic Air Jets
Supervisor: Dr. Tadhg O’Donovan

Two innovative electronics cooling technologies will be designed and tested to determine their optimal performance parameters and address the thermal management bottleneck facing the electronics industry. This first of which is an impinging synthetic air jet. Synthetic jets operate on a simple principle; a flexible membrane or diaphragm forms one end of a partially enclosed chamber. Opposite to the membrane is an opening, such as a jet nozzle or orifice plate. A mechanical actuator or a piezoelectric diaphragm causes the membrane to oscillate and periodically force air into and out of the opening. This results in a non-zero mean stream-wise pulsating jet being formed in front of the jet nozzle, which can be directed at a heated surface to enhance cooling. The second cooling device is a Piezo Fan. A Piezo Fan is simply a piezoelectric cantilever clamped at one end. When a sinusoidal signal is applied across the thickness of the piezoelectric beam it deflects periodically causing a fanned flow which propagates towards the heated surface. The turbulent flow will result in enhance surface heat transfer. The two techniques have several advantages over conventional electronics cooling technologies as they are solid state cooling solution that requires a simple voltage control to achieve high heat transfer coefficient.

Project Title: Enhanced heat transfer and liquid distribution using mesh wicks
Supervisor: Dr Peter Kew

Mesh wicks are widely used in heat pipes to return liquid from the condenser to the evaporator and to distribute liquid in the evaporator of two-phase thermosyphons. It has also been shown that appropriate use of a mesh on a heated surface enhances nucleate boiling heat transfer. This project will involve an investigation of the potential of mesh wick structures to improve heat transfer by preventing the formation of dry patches during evaporation from flat plates and in horizontal pipes with stratified flow. This work will be of benefit in the development of flat plate and linear concentrating solar evaporators.

Project Title: Oscillating vapour bubbles and heat transfer
Supervisor: Dr. Peter Kew

Simple "Putt-Putt" (or Pop-Pop) toy steamboats have been produced as toys for over 100 years. Mechanically they are extremely simple. The engine comprises a small boiler feeding two capillary tubes that pass through the rear of the boat into the water. When a burner or electric element supplies heat to the boiler, the water boils, expelling steam via the capillary tubes. Water then condenses in the tubes and the cycle repeats - making a Putt-Putt- like noise and propelling the boat through the water. The factors influencing the performance of the boat are not clearly documented. Several heat transfer mechanisms occur during the pulsating flow induced by the operation of the Putt-Putt engine. The analysis of these processes is complex. In this project the student will design and build a representation of the engine and examine the formation, growth and collapse of the steam bubbles. Based on these observations a mathematical model of the engine operation will be formulated. Heat transfer by oscillating bubble has much wider importance, for example in heat pipes, and it is anticipated that the model will be extended to more useful areas of application.

Project Title: Heat transfer in magnetic liquids
Supervisor: Dr. Wolf Früh

Magnetic liquids are manufactured liquids, which are attracted by magnetic fields. They not only have a thermal conductivity but can also show a magnetic equivalent of natural convection, which may be much stronger than natural convection in a 'normal' liquid. These characteristics may be usefully exploited for active control of heat transfer by controlling a magnetic field, and they may improve the performance of heat exchangers, they could also find space applications since the magnetic fields can take the role of gravity for convective cooling. There are research opportunities for experimental and computational studies.

Project Title: Mixing in Taylor-Couette reactors
Supervisor: Dr. Wolf Früh

The Taylor-Couette reactor is a relatively novel application for chemical processes, water treatment, and filtration. A rotating cylinder within another cylinder causes the fluid between the two to show a range of complex flow patters, which can be used to enhance or suppress mixing, or separation. Experimental and computational research opportunities range from fundamental studies of the flow structures in the fluid and mixing or heat transfer processes to the development of small-scale pilot plant for industrial applications.

Project Title: Coherent structures in differentially rotating fluids
Supervisor: Dr. Wolf Früh

Backgrounds rotation of a fluid inhibits motion along the axis of rotation. One consequence of this effect is that the fluid can organise itself into large-scale coherent structures; examples are vortices in rotating machinery, atmospheric weather systems, and even Jupiter's Great Red Spot. As well as affecting the performance of machines, the nonlinear dynamics of these features are a major factor in the chaotic and unpredictable nature of our climate. The processes and nonlinear dynamics of such flows are investigated in rotating tank experiments.

Optical Engineering

Project Title: Parallel vibration measurement using optical techniques
Supervisor: Prof. Andrew Moore

Vibration measurement is essential in understanding the flow of vibration power in structures and in predicting the radiation of acoustic energy (e.g. vehicle drive-by-noise, brake squeal). Established measurement techniques based on conventional sensors require instrumentation using large numbers of contacting transducers, with lead to long measurement times, poor spatial resolution, and perturbation of the structure under investigation by the transducer loading. The objective of this project is to devise optical instrumentation for the measurement of transient deformation and vibration, providing parallel measurement over extended fields of view, yielding not only the amplitude and the frequency of the vibration, but also its phase. The new instrument will enable optical modal analysis (determination of e.g. natural frequencies, damping and modal constant) to be performed from the dynamic response of lightweight structures for the first time. We will investigate the construction of validated finite element models for structural modification from the data acquired, jointly with our collaborators from the aerospace and automotive sectors.

The Applied Optics and Photonics Research Group comprises approximately 15 full-time academic staff, postdoctoral research associates and PhD students. The Group has current external funding in grants and contracts of around £3M, in addition to the support that it receives from the University. The funding derives from public sources and from the Group’s external main collaborators, who currently number about 25. The Group’s website is located at http://www.aop.hw.ac.uk/OpticalMetrology.htm.

Project Title: Novel Fibre Optics for Delivery of IR Light
Supervisors: Dr. Jonathan Shephard and Prof. Duncan Hand

Optical fibres and lasers are complementary technologies and in many instances one is of limited use without the other. The flexibility and guidance properties of the fibre allow the unique properties of the laser light to be maintained whilst it is flexibly delivered to wherever required, whether over a few metres for a laser welding application; a few tens or hundreds of metres for a remote sensing application or thousands of km for communications.

Nearly all optical fibres are fabricated from a glass known as fused silica. Although silica is transparent to visible radiation, like window glass, there are certain wavelengths that it will not transmit, in particular in the infrared (IR) part of the spectrum. This is because the IR radiation is easily absorbed by the molecular bonds of silica causing them to vibrate. However, a wide range of applications are based on IR lasers and would benefit from fibre delivery. Another shortfall with optical fibres is the power that they can handle. Because of the high intensities involved, lasers can readily damage optical materials. The damage threshold can be significantly increased by the use of novel fibre geometries (photonic crystal or microstructured fibres). There is hence a requirement to develop new IR transmitting optical fibres, made from novel materials and with novel geometries, to allow the realisation of a wide range of IR applications.

It is the aim of this research project to explore the possibilities and limitations of fibre delivery of infrared lasers using novel optical fibres which will be developed by our collaborators at Nottingham University. A range of applications will be examined although particular focus will be placed into laser materials processing and surgical applications.

The student will be a member of the Applied Optics and Photonics Research Group which comprises approximately 15 full-time academic staff, postdoctoral research associates and PhD students. The Group has current external funding in grants and contracts of around £3M, in addition to the support that it receives from the University. The funding derives from public sources and from the Group’s external main collaborators, who currently number about 25. The Group’s website is located at http://www.aop.hw.ac.uk/. This large group will provide considerable support for the project in the form of equipment and expertise over a range of high power lasers and fibre optic applications. The project also forms one of the components of the Scottish Manufacturing Institute.

Project Title: Laser machining of high precision surface features for position encoder applications
Supervisors: Prof. Duncan Hand and Dr. Jonathan Shephard in collaboration with Renishaw plc

Background – optical position encoders
Position encoders are commonly used in motion stages and robotic systems in order that accurate movements can be made. As an example, manufacturers of flat panel LCD screens have a requirement to pattern 2.4 metre wide glass panels to a 5 micron accuracy, and so rely on highly accurate position encoders. Current precision encoder technologies are typically based on optical measurement systems, incorporating fine pitch gratings, using either absorbing lines, or lines etched/embossed to a depth of a quarter wavelength (effectively a reflective phase grating). Lasers have been employed in the manufacture of such gratings, e.g. to generate fine lines by highly localised oxidation driven by the rapid heating and cooling of a focused high peak power laser. Laser-based techniques have the additional advantage of being able to add additional reference or start/end marks as and when required. However, current technologies are limited to linewidths of about 20 microns, whilst there is clear demand from industry to create gratings with finer features.

A new process regime
The student on this project will investigate a range of laser-based manufacturing techniques for generating features of the order of 5 microns on polished stainless steel or gold-plated surfaces. In particular, techniques for reliably producing lines of depth 200nm (quarter wavelength if working with a sensor wavelength of 800nm), with a precision of ±10nm. This would allow the production of a phase (rather than an amplitude) grating, where the grooves are a quarter wavelength deep. This offers the prospect of an encoder system with better signal-to-noise ratio and hence improved measurement resolution.

Various laser systems and wavelengths will be investigated. He or she will also work with our industrial collaborators to test the performance of the generated gratings with prototype high-precision encoder systems. The project involves:

1. Operation of high peak power pulsed lasers;
2. Laser-machining trials and development of an understanding of laser-materials interaction;
3. Use of microscopy for analysis of laser-generated parts; microscopes include optical, scanning electron, and atomic force microscopes;
4. Testing of laser-generated encoder scales with prototype commercial encoder systems (working with our industrial collaborators, Renishaw plc)

The student will be a member of the Applied Optics and Photonics Research Group which comprises approximately 15 full-time academic staff, postdoctoral research associates and PhD students. The Group has current external funding in grants and contracts of around £3M, in addition to the support that it receives from the University. The funding derives from public sources and from the Group’s external main collaborators, who currently number about 25. The Group’s website is located at http://www.aop.hw.ac.uk/. This large group will provide considerable support for the project in the form of equipment and expertise over a range of high power lasers and fibre optic applications. The project also forms one of the components of the Scottish Manufacturing Institute.

Renewable Energy

 

Project Title: Performance enhancement of photovoltaics via 1D, 2D and 3D photonic crystals
Supervisor: Dr. Bryce Richards

 Please contact Dr. Richards for more information on this new project.

 

Project Title: Performance enhancement of photovoltaics via plasmonics
Supervisor: Dr. Bryce Richards

 Please contact Dr. Richards for more information on this new project.

 

Project Title: System Modelling and characterisation of a novel line axis hybrid Photovoltaic/Thermal concentrator systems
Supervisor: Dr. Bryce Richards

Photovoltaic (PV) cells convert only a part of the solar radiation (typically 14 to 20%) into electricity and rest is lost as heat. A key barrier to achieving economic viability and the widespread adoption of PV is losses related elevated operating temperature. Solar concentrators promise reduced cost since the area covered by expensive PV devices is greatly reduced, with the collection of solar radiation now being performed via low cost reflectors. Although the principles of solar concentration are well understood, many practical design, operation and control issues require further research to determine the most successful means by which solar concentration can be deployed for PV. An innovative way is to use the low concentration compound parabolic reflectors, which enable the capture of a large fraction of the diffuse solar radiation (in addition to the direct component) – especially relevant for northern European climatic conditions. Previous research showed that asymmetric compound parabolic PV concentrator significantly increased its power output compared to the flat PV system and suitable for building façade integration in the UK. This research project will investigate the use of wasted thermal energy from concentrating PV system, thereby increasing the PV system efficiency as well as producing a useful thermal energy stream via the following techniques:

• Optimisation of the concentrating PV/T system using appropriate computational model;
• Adaptation, extension and validation of existing integrated optical and thermal models for the analysis of the CPV/T systems;
• Economic and environmental appraisal;
• Extensive outdoor experimental investigations complemented by set of controlled indoor experiments.

Project Title: Optimisation of Low Concentrating Line-axis Dielectric Photovoltaic Concentrator
Supervisor: Dr. Bryce Richards

Line-axis dielectric photovoltaic concentrators (PVC) of concentration ratios in the range of 2-3 are suitable for building integration (either façade or innovative windows) where diffuse solar radiation makes up a significant fraction of the overall solar radiation received. Such non-tracking concentrating PV systems are able to collect over large percentage this diffuse radiation (in addition to the direct radiation) and are one of the most appropriate candidates for building integration in the northern European climatic conditions. One research challenge that needs addressing is the durability and instability of the dielectric material, which needs to exhibit a lifetime of at least 20 years to be on a par with other PV system components. In this project, research will be undertaken to optimise the dielectric concentrator via the following activities/techniques:

• Development of 3-dimensional integrated optical, heat transfer and electrical model;
• Optical characterisation of the concentrators (e.g. absorption, transmission) and development of wavelength selective reflective coatings;
• Accelerated weathering test in a controlled environment;
• Practical experimental work performed outdoors complemented by a set of indoor experiments using a continuous solar simulator.

Project Title: Photovoltaics and Solar Energy: Application of Luminescent Materials to Photovoltaics: Luminescence down-shifting (LDS)
Supervisor: Dr. Bryce Richards

LDS is where a layer containing luminescent species, such as fluorescent organic dyes, are applied to the front surface of a photovoltaic (PV) module, regardless of the semiconducting materials used for energy conversion. The dyes absorb the short wavelength light – a region where many commercially produced PV modules exhibit a poor spectral response – and re-emit this light at longer wavelengths, where the solar cell exhibits a very good spectral response. An example of how an LDS layer can improve the sunlight to electrical energy conversion efficiency (#) is shown in the graph below, where a thin-film PV module that previously exhibited a poor external quantum efficiency (EQE – fraction of photons result in the generation of photocurrent) for UV, blue and green light (# < 540nm) now has a much better EQE after the application of a LDS layer. This results in an increase in efficiency from 9.6% to 11.2%. This project involves collaboration between a German industry partner and an Australian university.

Project Title: Photovoltaics and Solar Energy: Application of Luminescent Materials to Photovoltaics: Luminescent solar concentrators (LSC)
Supervisor: Dr. Bryce Richards

LSCs rely on the same luminescent materials as the LDS above, however with the LSC the solar cells are mounted on the edge of the luminescent sheet. A cross-sectional diagram of a LSC is shown in the diagram below (L >> t) , with sunlight being is incident on the front surface and is then absorbed and subsequently re-emitted isotropically by a luminescence centre. The luminescence is then transported to the edges of the sheet by total internal reflection (TIR) and concentrated onto the solar cells. Thus, the LSC is a static (non-tracking) solar concentrator and can therefore achieve good performance even under cloudy conditions. The primary motivation to use a LSC is to reduce the cost of solar energy, i.e. the expensive solar cells only occupy a very small area on the perimeter of a cheap (e.g. acrylic) sheet. Furthermore, the large sheets of the LSC technology are ideally used as a building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) product, replacing the large sheets of glass used in the façades of office buildings, thus offsetting further costs on new installations. The photo below is of a PhD student holding two 30cm x 30cm LSC sheets. This project involves collaboration between a German industry partner, and an Australian and American university.

Project Title: Photovoltaics and Solar Energy: Dielectric Thin Films for Silicon Solar Cells
Supervisor: Dr. Bryce Richards

Another strand of research involves understanding the role that antireflection (AR) coatings for silicon (Si) solar cells play in the electronic performance of such devices. Dielectric coatings that are being investigated include silicon dioxide (SiO2), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and silicon nitride (SiN). These coatings are applied to the front surface of a silicon solar cell and strongly determine the performance of the device as a the majority light is absorbed within the first few microns of the solar cell. Therefore, if the dielectric film exhibits poor optical or electronic qualities, this will result in less photocurrent being generated within the Si solar cell. This project also involves measuring the stability of silicon surface passivation under different environmental conditions using the solar climatic chamber mentioned earlier. Passing environmental tests is a requirement for meeting various standards for PV products. This project involves collaboration between a two American industry partners, and an Australian university.

Project Title: Photovoltaics and Solar Energy: Renewable-energy Powered Desalination Systems
Supervisor: Dr. Bryce Richards

A United Nations Development (UNDP) report has identified that there are 1.3 billion people who do not have access to adequate quality drinking water, while World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics indicate that 80% of all diseases in developing countries are water-borne. Annually, 2 billion cases of diarrhoea are registered, and more than 5 million deaths are associated with the consumption of poor quality drinking water, with the majority of these deaths being children. The UNDP report also found that about 2 billion people are living without electricity, and it has been estimated that the overlap between the groups living without both electricity and clean water amounts to 1 billion, or 17% of the world’s population. This fact, together with the aim of providing sustainable technology, invites the initiative to combine water treatment with renewable energy.

This research project investigates a treatment solution that provides drinking water to such remote communities and developing countries using such technology. In particular, PV power would appear to be ideal, given that many regions that possess a limited and/or poor quality drinking water also exhibit high levels of solar radiation. Our trailer-mounted PV-powered desalination system is unique in that it is optimized for brackish water and exhibits a hybrid membrane filtration system - an ultrafiltration (UF) pre-treatment membrane that removes bacteria and most pathogens, followed by a reverse osmosis (RO) or nanofiltration (NF) membrane to desalinate the water. A schematic diagram of the system as well as a photo taken in the Australian outback (Oct 2005) are shown below.

Project Title: Carbon Dioxide Storage
Supervisor: Dr. Baixin Chen

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture and storage (CCS) has been recognized as one of the potential means to mitigate climate changes resulting from the greenhouse effects. In a carbon-free fossil fuel energy conversion, captured CO₂ can be sequestrated either in the under earth’s surface (geological storage) or in the ocean (ocean storage) away from atmosphere for a long period of time. The major concerns about CCS are if it is safe and how long CO₂ can remain stored, because it can disperse in and react with reservoir fluids and formations. As a result, confident application of CCS as a measure to reduce CO₂ emission requires a complete understanding of physical transportation and chemical reaction mechanisms of the CO₂ in a variety of sequestration reservoirs. These include the understanding of dissolution mechanisms of CO₂ in water/oil and plume dynamics of CO₂ and CO₂ enriched fluids in seawater and in geological formations at variants of scales from the microscale, the laboratory scale to the field scale.

Micromechanics

Project Title: Statistical process control of thermal spray coatings using acoustic emission
Supervisors: Prof. Bob Reuben

Rapid developments in thermal spray coating techniques have resulted in a need for improved methods of testing. The main aim of this work is to develop a new technique using Acoustic emission sensors to measure coating strength both during the spraying process and during new mechanical testing procedures.

Project Title: Compressor fault detection and management
Supervisor: Prof. Bob Reuben

Compressors can be critical to the operation of many industrial processes. They can also be very expensive in relation to their initial cost, running cost and cost of breakdown. The aim of this work is to develop techniques which can monitor/diagnose both fault condition and operating conditions to enable more efficient operation of compressors and improved monitoring/management procedures. This will require the combination of existing, well-understood techniques such as vibration and process monitoring with acoustic emission techniques.

Project Title: Investigation of lubrication and wear in engines using acoustic emission
Supervisor: Prof. Bob Reuben

Recent studies have found that acoustic emission (AE) can be used to monitor the operation and condition of components and processes in engines. Many recorded events are easily identified (source located) but there are parts of the data for which it is believed that the main sources relate to lubrication condition, friction and wear between components such as ring/liner interaction and that the AE is related to piston position and speed. This work would demonstrate the advantages in using AE to detect friction and wear in engines. It should be possible to carry out studies on a range of engines.

Project Title: Microdeivces based on shape memory alloys and polymers for biological applications
Supervisor: Prof. Bob Reuben

Shape memory materials are promising for the future of biomedical engineering applications. They offer a combination of novel properties, such as shape memory effect, super-elasticity, biocompatibility, corrosion resistance and high damping capacity, which enable them to be widely used in numerous applications, including biomedical engineering and micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS). In this investigation, thin films shape memory alloys and shape memory polymers will be developed for biomedical actuators for tremendous potential applications such as drug delivery systems, miniature biomedical or chemical analysis systems, biopsy tissue sampling, etc.

BioMEMS and Nanotechnology

Project Title: Nanomechanics of Biomaterials
Supervisors:Dr. Will Shu and a href="[ioID]0B8581FF238A4421A557D5BD45E32AC0">Prof. Bob Reuben

Understanding the relationship between mechanical properties of biomaterial and its biological function is central to the development of smart biomaterials, novel body implants and sensors for disease diagnostics. This project explores the exciting interfaces between life science and mechanical engineering at nanoscale, developing cutting-edge technologies to study nanomechanics of biomaterials from biomolecules, cells to human tissue.

Project Title: BioMEMS for Cell Studies
Supervisor: Dr. Will Shu

The emerging technology of biomedical microelectromechanical systems (bioMEMS) promises to deliver miniature, smart and low-cost biomedical devices for diagnostics, personalised treatment and novel drug delivery systems. This project aims to develop a novel micro-fluidic cell-culture system that enables us to manipulate, monitor and record the biological behaviour of living cells.

Project Title: New Materials and Processes for Micro- and Nano-Devices
Supervisor: Dr. Will Shu (w.shu –at- hw.ac.uk)

To date, traditional MEMS devices has been heavily relied on silicon and its high-cost vacuum processing techniques. This limits its uses for wider applications and low-cost disposable products. This project exploits non-silicon materials and process technologies for the applications that are impractical using conventional silicon-based devices, for example, biomedical implant and disposable sensor chips for HIV diagnostics.

Project Title: Single Molecule Detection using Micro and Nano Systems
Supervisor: Dr. Will Shu

MEMS and Nanotechnology have enabled rapid detection of gases, DNA, RNA, proteins or small drug molecules in very small quantities. This project develops new generation of micro- and nano-devices for safety, drug discovery and disease diagnostics. The interdisciplinary research will be focused on MEMS integration and interface, integration of novel receptor molecules or sensing materials, design and modeling of nanoscale devices for enhancing sensitivity.