Postgraduate ProsPectus - Aston University

School of Engineering & Applied Science
Power Engineering and Power Electronics Group
School of Engineering & Applied Science
Polymer and Advanced Materials Research Group
Group overview
The Power Engineering and Power Electronics Group
undertake research into theoretical and practical
aspects of power electronics and in particular its
impact on electrical power networks primarily at the
distribution level. The group has extensive links to
industry and undertakes undergraduate teaching
(primarily foundation degree) to major Power Utilities.
Research interests
We are interested in supervising projects in the areas of:
Smart Grid Systems – especially applied to LV
Distribution Systems
HVDC – topologies, control and systems
Battery energy storage – impact on networks and
converter technologies
Power electronics – industrial and transportation
applications.
Current Projects
Power electronic converters for smart grid LV
networks (Case Award with WPD)
Inverter connected battery technology for network
benefits (EPSRC)
Multi-level power converters for HVDC applications
(Case Award with Alstom Grid)
Project FALCON (Tier 2 LCNF with WPD).
Specialist equipment
The Group’s laboratory facility is equipped with
purpose-built power supplies, LeCroy high-speed
oscilloscopes and probes, Agilent network/impedance
analyser and DSpace and OPAL-RT rapid prototyping
systems for power engineering research work.
Funding sources
The group has been funded from EPSRC, TSB (KTP
programme), Case Awards and from companies
including Alstom Grid, WPD and E.ON UK.
Collaboration
The group has existing partnerships with a growing
number of utility companies and specialist suppliers to
the power industry, including National Grid, E.ON UK,
WPD and Alstom Grid.
Application and contact
Research Group Convenor
Dr. Andrew Cross
T: +44 (0)121 204 3731
F +44 (0)121 204 3676
E: a.m.cross@aston.ac.uk
W: www.aston.ac.uk/eas/research/groups/pepe
Group overview
The Group is a leading broad-based polymer
research group of national and international standing
with expertise in basic and applied multidisciplinary
research into polymers and biomaterials; from novel
design and synthesis, to melt processing and the role
of specialty additives and antioxidants, through to their
performance in service for industrial, biological and
medical applications. The activities of the Group are
delivered through three Research Units:
Advanced Materials Research Unit (AMRU)
Biomaterials Research Unit (BRU)
Polymer Processing and Performance Research
Unit (PPP).
Research interests
The research activities of the group focus on three
main areas: design and development of biomaterials,
synthesis of polymers, and processing, performance
and applications of polymer materials.
AMRU is concerned with the design and synthesis
of bespoke monomers and controlled polymerisation
for production of novel materials with applications in
solar cell technology, drug delivery, cellular delivery,
sensors and polymeric ligands for nanoparticles.
BRU focuses on the synthesis and behaviour
of biocompatible and biomimetic polymers and
analogues of biological fluids such as tears, lung
surfactant and synovial fluid, and on the design and
fabrication of new soft tissue analogues for biomedical
applications.
PPP deals with a broad range of cross-disciplinary
topics related to polymer durability, degradability and
performance including antioxidant chemistry and
reactive processing and modification of polymers,
blends and nanocomposites.
Application and contact
Research Group Convenor
Professor Sahar Al-Malaika
T: +44 (0)121 204 3372
F +44 (0)121 204 3679
E: s.al-malaika@aston.ac.uk
W: www.aston.ac.uk/eas/research/groups/polymer
Current projects
Synthesis of polymers for irreversible
immobilisation and stabilisation of quantum dots
Synthesis and evaluation of polymer beads for
cellular delivery
Spin-coating mechanism of photoactive polymer
blends and copolymers
Improving the lifetime and efficiency of organic
solar cells
Nanofibrous membranes for water purification
Mechanistic studies of polychloroprene
crosslinking, using controlled polymerisation and
spectroscopic analysis
The synthesis and in vivo performance of
ophthalmic biomaterials
The development of novel biomimetic surfactant
systems
Injectable soft tissue analogues for bodily repair
and regeneration
Vitamin E antioxidant in orthopaedic implants
Non-migratory antioxidants for polymers in
human-contact applications
Stabilisation of polymers by natural (rosemarybased)
antioxidants
Biopolymer-based nanocomposites: performance
and durability
Reactive melt processing and stabilisation of
polymer-clay nanocomposites
Degradable polymers: mechanistic role of additives
and nanoclays in TPUs.
Specialist equipment
The Group has extensive facilities for polymer
synthesis and characterisation, state-of-the-art
polymer melt processing, testing and analytical
facilities including extruders and moulding machines,
accelerated environmental exposure and ageing
devices, thermal, mechanical, spectroscopic
and chromatographic equipment. State of the art
facilities are available for biological and biochemical
characterisation of biomaterials performance.
Funding sources
The Group has a continuous stream of funding from
a broad range of sources including the EU, national
and international companies, EPSRC, BBSRC, Royal
Society and Government bodies, for funding of
studentships and research fellowships.
Collaboration
The Group has a large network of international and
national collaborators from industry, research institutes
and universities in the UK, EU, USA, Australia and Asia.
60 To find out more: Telephone: +44 (0)121 204 3400 | Email: engineering@aston.ac.uk | www.aston.ac.uk/eas
www.aston.ac.uk
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