Photo of Professor Eann Patterson

Professor Eann Patterson B.Eng., Ph.D., C.Eng., FREng., FIMechE., FSEM., PFHEA.

Dean of the School of Engineering and AA Griffith Chair of Structural Materials & Mechanics Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Research

Research Overview

My research interests are in the acquisition of information-rich measurement data and its use to develop digital representations of complex systems in the aerospace, biological and energy sectors that have a high level of credibility.

Macro-scale structural validation

The imperative for a more sustainable society implies a reduction in material and energy consumption by devices, machines and structures, which conflicts with the desire for safety and reliability. Solid mechanics models, validated by experiment, are an essential tool for resolving this conflict and the development of effective validation methodologies for simple and hierarchical models together with their effect on the design process is a focus of work in my research group.

Meso-scale Experimental Mechanics

Optical techniques including DIC, photoelasticity and TSA, are capable of providing detailed strain fields in engineering components. They are being used to evaluate crack tip and wake strain fields and to guide the development of a new (CJP) model. The same techniques are being used to enhance understanding of adhesive and mechanical composite joints.

Nano-bio-mechanics

Recent work at the nano-scale has involved evaluating the interaction of nanoparticles with living cells in order to understand the mechanics of a range of associated biological processes. The experimental work has been performed at the Institute for Health and Consumer Protection of the European Commission DG Joint Research Center, Ispra, Italy.

Research Grants

Development of a road-map for the incorporation of NDE data into digital twins

RCNDE

September 2023 - October 2024

SteADfASt – Strain-based Assessment of Defects for Aerospace Structures

ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL

January 2022 - December 2022

Smarter Testing

INNOVATE UK (UK)

January 2021 - December 2024

DIMES Development of Integrated Measurement System

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

January 2019 - September 2021

Matrix Optimization for Testing by Interaction of Virtual And Test Environments (MOTIVATE)

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

June 2017 - May 2020

MAINTAiN - Multi-scAle INTegrity assessment for Advanced high-temperature Nuclear systems

ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL

April 2018 - January 2022

Smarter Decisions based on Integrated Modelling & Testing of Structures

AIRBUS (UK)

October 2016 - March 2020

INfrared STRUctural monitoring of Cracks using Thermoelastic analysis In production enVironmEnts (INSTRUCTIVE).

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

January 2016 - December 2018

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Nuclear Fission - Next Generation Nuclear - Equipment

ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL

November 2014 - March 2015

Validation of Computational Mechanics Models.

NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LTD (UK)

November 2013 - October 2016

VAlidating Numerical Engineering Simulations: Standardising Actions (VANESSA).

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

February 2013 - July 2014

Risk quantified structural analysis - a new paradigm for engineering design.

ROYAL SOCIETY (CHARITABLE)

February 2011 - January 2016

Research Collaborations

Professor Wei-Chung Wang

External: National Tsing Hua University

Several research projects at the proposal stage.

JE Mottershead

Internal

Joint research proposals and publications

Professor Maurice Whelan

External: EC-JRC

Joint supervision of students and joint publications

Dr Erwin Hack

External: EMPA

Joint research programmes and publications

Professor John Lambros

External: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Joint research programme with USAF