Engineering

Our research in engineering materials focuses on understanding material properties and performance. We use electron microscopy to examine the fine details of materials used in fields including additive manufacturing, nuclear engineering and materials for aerospace. This critical analysis informs the design of safer, more durable parts for a wide range of applications, from jet engines to medical implants.

Metallurgy

In collaboration with Professor Paul Chalker of the School of Engineering, SEM, EBSD, FIB-SEM, S/TEM- EDX & EELS have been combined for the characterisation of surface modified Laser-Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) produced metallic powder feedstocks.

^{Left: BSE imaging of etched Al-Cu (Red = melt pool boundary). Right: EBSD orientation maps of SLM-processed (a) Al-Cu and (b) Al samples.}

Technological plasmas

Plasma materials processing (including treatment and deposition) offers applications including anti-microbial and biomaterials production and nuclear fusion.

Working with Professor James Bradley’s group within the Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics (EEE), we have investigated surface morphology of fibrous (‘fuzzy’) surface growth on tungsten samples as a result of helium magnetron sputtering at controlled fluences.