A major challenge for defence & security laser systems is managing the heat generated and differential thermal expansion of the different components in the system. A compounding challenge is the vast range of ambient temperatures in which these systems need to operate without thermal distortion. However, additive manufacturing gives the unique opportunity to tailor the material properties, and design the support structures, to manage different thermal expansions of optics, laser crystals, laser diodes, etc.

The research will focus on developing new material combinations in powder-bed laser fusion additive manufacturing, as well as to design and demonstrate new mechanical 3D printed structures, with the specific aim of managing and matching the thermal expansion coefficients of laser system components, while maintaining the required precision and stability of these high-end laser systems.

This project will be jointly supervised by:

Prof Jonathan Corney j.r.corney@ed.ac.uk

Dr Sam Tammas-Williams s.tammaswilliams@ed.ac.uk

Smart Products Made Smarter

The PhD project forms part of a larger Prosperity Partnership Programme, Smart Products Made Smarter, a collaboration with Heriot-Watt University, University of Edinburgh and Leonardo. 

We are pleased to invite applications for a PhD studentship to work as part of a leading team of experts. This studentship will be supported by an enhanced stipend of £20,716 per year over 3.5 years.

This grant, sponsored by the EPSRC, is a collaboration between academia and Leonardo. There are currently PhD opportunities available to work on diverse topics as part of this collaborative team. The work will involve strong links with industry.

The research addresses a broad range of challenges. These challenges exemplify future product lifecycle management from smart concept, design, development and manufacture to enhanced end-user capability, united by a common digital thread to enable smarter products to be made smarter. Each challenge area has clearly identified initial research themes and associated research challenges to be addressed and these are indicated below:

Challenge 1 (C1) the Making challenge: To create new hybrid manufacturing processes, that combine multiple Additive Manufacturing (AM) process with precision machining and coating processes to create components that disrupt the traditional functional trade-offs of Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) through techniques such as varying the material properties within a part and harnessing the digital production of optical components.

Challenge 2 (C2) the Manipulation challenge: To create new handling processes that fully exploit the digital data flows which define custom components whose shape and functionality is tailored to production by dexterous, highly adaptable robots that are programmed dynamically.

Challenge 3 (C3) the Computation challenge: To create new signal processing & machine learning methodologies that enable intelligent, digital & connected sensor products while mitigating the data deluge from the multiple sensors produced by Leonardo operating across the EM spectrum.

The themes represent areas that could form the basis of your PhD. These PhD positions offer great flexibility and we welcome the opportunity to explore other ideas & themes.

Please note that this advert will close as soon as a suitable candidate is found.