Overview

This theme advances fundamental knowledge in new technologies for sensors, arrays and networks, and development of sensor systems across a broad range of applications.

Our research work includes the design and development of multimodal active and passive sensing devices, electromagnetic sensors and imaging systems for:

• non-destructive testing and evaluation for material characterisation, structural integrity, defect (crack, fatigue, corrosion, delamination) detection and identification, stress and lifecycle assessment for safety-critical components and systems in the areas of defence, energy, transport, aerospace, oil & gas, and infrastructure
• homeland security through electromagnetic imaging for the detection of threat objects and people screening
• medical imaging and applications related to electromagnetic medical instrumentation. These include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
• wireless sensor networks for air quality, climate and noise monitoring, and acoustic source location
• acoustic sensor development including sonar imaging, low-cost ultrasound scanners and fluid measurement

Our sensors research can be subdivided as follows:

• Electromagnetic NDT&E
• Security and Weapon Detection
• Ultrasound Imaging
• Wireless Sensor Networks

 

Research Collaborations

Academic

• Manchester University
• University of Bath
• Warwick University
• University of Sheffield
• Imperial College
• Cambridge University
• Tsinghua University, China
• MIT, USA
• Fraunhofer IZFP, Germany
• National Research Council, Canada
• Indian Institute of Technology, Madras

Industrial

• Rolls Royce
• Alstom Power
• Airbus
• Cross-Government Departments
• British Energy
• The Welding Institute (TWI)
• Bioinnovel, Photon fire
• National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
• RWE nPower
• Network Rail
• BP