Postgraduate Prospectus 2013 - Swansea University

Engineering
• extensive range of laboratories housing
scanning electron microscopes with full
microanalysis and electron backscatter
diffraction capabilities
• X-ray diffraction machines,
optical microscopes and image
analysis facilities
The Materials Research Centre
incorporates the following internationally
recognised research groups:
• Power and Aerospace Materials
(a lead partner in the Rolls-Royce
University Technology Partnership, a
primary partner in the BAE Systems
Virtual University, and a preferred
University Partner for Airbus UK)
• Grain Boundary Engineering
• Environment and Sustainable Materials
• Steel Products Centre
Key research themes include:
• Design against failure by creep,
fatigue and environmental damage
• Grain boundary engineering
• Recycling of polymers and composites
• Corrosion mechanisms in new
generation magnesium alloys
• Development of novel strip steel
grades (IF, HSLA, Dual Phase, TRIP)
• Structural metals and ceramics for gas
turbine applications
Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre
Engineering at the nanometre scale is one
of the greatest challenges known to
modern man and has the potential to
revolutionise the way we live our lives,
from Star Trek-like gadgets through to
site-specific medical diagnosis and drug
delivery within the human body.
Founded in 2002, The Multidisciplinary
Nanotechnology Centre (MNC) at
Swansea has developed an international
reputation in many new fields that stretch
traditional engineering concepts to the
extreme. This has been made possible by
radical thinking that combines engineering
with physics, biology and medicine. The
Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre
therefore has an active strategy to develop
projects that bridge traditional disciplines
to provide a step change in technology.
The Centre spearheads the
nanotechnology activity across the
University and the whole of Wales. Within
Swansea, the Centre involves more than
40 academics from a range of disciplines
(engineering, physics, chemistry, biology
and medicine) and a central suite of
laboratories housing unrivalled
state-of-the-art facilities.
Recent investment in the field of
nanomedicine has led to the creation of a
£22 million Centre for NanoHealth, a
unique facility that links collaborative
research between the MNC and the
College of Medicine in Swansea.
Key research activity within the
Multidisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre
(MNC) includes:
• Nano-medicine and Bio-
Nanotechnology
• Nano-materials and Nano-sensors
• Rheometry
• Theoretical Modelling
The MNC’s state-of the-art nanotechnology
laboratory suite houses cutting-edge
fabrication and characterisation facilities.
Equipment includes:
• 2 UHV Omicron Nanotechnology SPMs
(1 STM/AFM, 1 STM/ESCA and 1
STM/SEM)
• 5 Vecco AFMs (2 explorers, 1
Nanoman and 1 Picoforce)
• 2 Vecco SNOMs (Aurora II and III)
• 5 desktop SPM systems
• a variety of spectroscopic techniques
are available, (XPS, AES, confocal
RAMAN, mass spectrometry, ICP
spectroscopy and photo correlation
spectroscopy for particle sizing
down to 1nm)
• laser diffraction particle sizing
• free solution electrophoresis BET
and gas porosimetry
• microcalorimetry
• a comprehensive range of rheometers
• gas liquid chromatography and HPLC
Other equipment includes a fully-equipped
clean room for device fabrication, a new
biotechnology pilot plant, pilot-scale
membrane filtration equipment (micro- to
nano-filtration) and reverse osmosis.
Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating
The Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating
is a world-leading research centre focusing
on investigating printing and coating as a
manufacturing process. It has purpose-built
fully-equipped air-conditioned laboratories
for measurement of printed and coated
products. The Centre enjoys access to
industrial printing facilities and also works
closely with all components in the supply
chain, including ink, substrate and
machinery suppliers.
Centre for Complex Fluids Processing
The processing of complex fluids, from
biotechnological materials and food
products to mineral slurries and inks, is a
major feature of modern industry.
Underlying this diversity are certain
properties that must be understood if the
processing is to be effective and efficient.
These include the flow behaviour in
process equipment, how components of
the fluid determine its overall properties
and how individual components may be
selectively separated.
The Centre has been the recipient of a
prestigious EPSRC platform grant awarded
to world-leading groups with continuity
of funding for longer term research
and international networking, and is
recognised as a centre of expertise with
a proven track record of collaboration
with large and small companies.
Electronics Systems Design Research
Almost every piece of modern electronic
equipment relies heavily on power
electronics. It provides electrical energy
in a clean form for applications as diverse
as mobile phones to large power units on
electrically driven ships. The use of power
electronics is all about efficient use of
energy in all these applications and
at all power levels.
This group has particular interests in
power electronics and microelectronics.
Its groundbreaking research includes
power IC technology and the application
of power electronics in embedded
energy generation. Researchers are
also developing state-of-the-art SiC
semiconductor technology; silicon
carbide-based power semiconductor
devices are promising candidates
for ultra high power systems such as
those regulating the national grid.
Advanced Communications Systems
Communications systems, whether
optical or wireless, now surround us
and are a vital part of our daily lives.
The Advanced Communications group
has a range of research programmes in
optical communications, wireless systems
and networks and communications
technologies such as microwave antenna
and next generation lasers. The group
has a strong track record in cultivating
industry partnerships to provide innovative
solutions to complex business and
technological problems.
“I am currently undertaking a Nanotechnology PhD in the area of
renewable energy through solar cells. The focus of this study is very
much aimed at research and development, and has very close links with
manufacturing. Here at Swansea there is plenty of access to resources
such as specialised labs and brand new cutting edge equipment to help
you develop your ideas.
”
Gareth Blarney,
PhD Nanotechnology
Research Degrees – Engineering
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