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Influence of snow structure and properties on the grip of winter tyres |
Dr Jane Blackford
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Materials and Processes |
The aim of this project is to investigate the friction of rubber and tyre treads on snow. It is a collaborative project with Michelin. We use tribological testing and materials characterisation techniques in a specially designed cold room facility to do this. Ultimately this knowledge will be used to improve tyre traction on snow.
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Ice-Rubber Friction for Tyres |
Dr Jane Blackford
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Materials and Processes |
The aim of this project is to gain a better understanding of the nature of the interface between rubber and ice. It is a collaborative project with Michelin. We use tribological testing and materials characterisation techniques in a specially designed cold room facility to do this. Ultimately this knowledge will be used to improve tyre traction on ice.
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Dense suspension rheology through DEM simulations |
Dr. Jin Sun
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Infrastructure and Environment |
Mud, slurry, coffee, paints, cements, batteries and many other everyday materials have particles suspended in a liquid. We need to understand the flow behaviour to handle, and process such materials for traditional and innovative applications. Our research seeks to understand the common features of the flow behaviour of different materials using simple particle based simulations. In particular, we focus on dense suspensions where the particles occupy more than 50 % by volume of the solution.
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Modelling of dense suspensions rheology |
Dr. Jin Sun
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Infrastructure and Environment |
We examine the rheology of granular dense suspensions using computer simulations with discreste particles and develop constitutive models for flow of such suspensions.
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Particle Dynamics and suspension rheology in electrical discharge |
Dr. Jin Sun
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Infrastructure and Environment |
The Edinburgh part of the project focuses on multi-physics modelling of particle dynamics and suspension rheology in electrical discharge processes. This work is an integrated part of an EPSRC funded project to develop novel electrical discharge methods (EDM) for functional surface coating, collaborating with The University of Nottingham. This project aims to revolutionise the way industrial electrical discharge machining processes can be used. It will transform the process from a machining only technique to a method that is also capable of novel surface treatments at the same time.
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Flow and sintering of non-spherical particles in additive manufacturing |
Dr. Jin Sun
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Infrastructure and Environment |
The Edinburgh part of the project focues on the multi-physics modelling of particle dynamics and sintering behaviour in selective laser sintering processes. This work is an integrated part of an EPSRC funded project to develop fundamental understanding of particle behavour in additive manufacturing, collaborating with the University of Exeter. This project proposes to investigate the way polymeric powders of different shapes and sizes flow, interact and sinter in the laser sintering process, through modelling and experimental validation. Laser sintering is part of the additive manufacturing technology, known for its benefits in industries where custom made products, lightweight and complex designs are required.
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Off-grid Hybrid Energy Systems |
Dr Jonathan Shek
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Energy Systems |
This project aims to innovate and improved solutions for the management of power flows in a hybrid electrical power system, to provide a secure, reliable, and high quality supply to varying load demands. The expected research outcome is the design of a robust and fault-tolerant management system, featuring higher efficiency and improved techno-economic performance.
Optimal system sizing through linear programming
Testing and analysis of an off-the-shelf hybrid system
Novel control system design for optimised performance
Lab testing and field testing
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Electro-Mechanical Modelling of Tidal Turbines |
Dr Jonathan Shek
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Energy Systems |
The research in this project will focus on modelling full resource-to-wire dynamic models of tidal arrays in order to investigate and optimise their operation. The expected impact of this study is providing industry with an understanding and guidelines of the applicability of the different electrical layouts to specific locations and size of the arrays.
Compare different generator technologies and control theories
Validate models using real measured data
Perform harmonic analysis and accurate loss modelling based on temperature/frequency variations
Suggest cost-effective solutions for device developers
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TorqTidal: Mitigating Torque Pulsations in Tidal Current Turbines |
Dr Jonathan Shek
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Energy Systems |
TorqTidal seeks to provide control strategies for tidal current turbines that will reduce the risk of failure and increase the lifetime of device components without increasing capital costs. This will act to increase investor confidence and drive down the LCOE, which is a key step in helping the UK to exploit its significant tidal energy resource.
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WindSurf - A self-starting, active-pitch, vertical-axis wind turbine |
Dr Jonathan Shek
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Energy Systems |
WindSurf aims to develop a core enabling technology - active blade pitching for a vertical axis wind turbine. This will allow wind turbines to operate in challenging wind conditions, to operate quietly and for new, lower maintenance turbine designs. WindSurf will open up new sites for wind energy: sites previously rejected because wind speeds were too low, variable or subject to swirling, or where noise nuisance would have been a concern. WindSurf will tackle all three parts of the energy trilemma: reducing emissions, increasing security of supply, and reducing cost.
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