The aim of this project is to develop a salt resistant mortar where the salts crystallise throughout its pore structure without causing damage to the mortar or the host material.

Applications are invited for a self-funded PhD project, titled 'High Porosity Salt Resistant Mortars for the Repair of Historic Structures' based in the Materials and Engineering Research Institute at Sheffield Hallam University.

Repair mortars to be applied on wet and salt loaded substrates within a historic structure should both be compatible with the original materials and suffer no deterioration following the movement and crystallisation of salts in the mortar.

The aim of this project is to develop a salt resistant mortar where the salts crystallise throughout its pore structure without causing damage to the mortar or the host material. This is to be achieved by fine tuning of the pore structure of hybrid mortars comprising two different types of binders and at least three admixtures.

This project will expand on existing research and also include extensive experimental work for investigating the influence of different parameters such as aggregate and substrate characteristics on mortar properties.

This is an unfunded PhD project, for candidates who are sponsored or who have their own funding.

Students will normally need to hold, or expect to gain, a First or Second Class Honours degree in Materials Science, Engineering, Building, Conservation Science, Architecture, Physics or related discipline.

General information about the Materials and Engineering Research Institute can be found here.

For informal enquiries about the project, please contact Dr Vincenzo Starinieri at v.starinieri@shu.ac.uk

For instructions on how to apply, please email our direct student services on meri-student@shu.ac.uk

This MPhil project is sponsored by the world-leading ceramics manufacturer Morgan Advanced Ceramics PLC. The successful applicant will study the long-term high-temperature durability of Superwool XT (SWXT), a new low biopersistent fibre insulation product developed by the company, supported by Sheffield Hallam University

This project is vital to underpinning the commercial success of this safer, more environmentally-friendly new product, and the student will work closely with the industrial partner throughout the project. The project will comprise the following elements

1. Establish the current state-of-the-art knowledge relevant to the project aims
2. Establish the stability of the various chemical species in the fibres as functions of time, temperature and service conditions
3. Determine the effects of modifications on the stability of key elements in SWXT fibres in-service

This MPhil position is available for a period of 2 years at Sheffield Hallam University. The successful applicant will also spend time at the R&D Centre at Thermal Ceramics UK Ltd in Bromborough, Wirral, and at other Morgan UK sites. All UK/EU fees will be paid and a full student stipend at standard UK Research Council level (currently £13,863 / year) will be provided. The successful candidate will hold an upper second or first class honours degree, or an appropriate Masters-level qualification, in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline. Applications are welcome from UK and EU students. The closing date for applications is 30th June 2015.

Applicants should complete and submit an applications form as instructed here. Informal enquiries can be addressed to Dr Paul Bingham (p.a.bingham@shu.ac.uk).

This project aims to improve the ductility and toughness of a medium-carbon Cr-Ni-Mo alloyed structural steel. While maintaining the ultra-high strength (UTS >1,900 MPa, YS > 1,600 MPa), a novel multi-stage heat treatment technique will be developed based on the latest technical advances, such as quenching-partitioning-tempering treatment and sub-critical martensitic/bainitic treatments. An optimised multi-phase and multi-scale microstructure is expected to obtain through the novel process.

Ultra-high-strength low alloy steels are highly demanded in manufacturing light-weight vehicles. Sufficient ductility and toughness properties of the superstrong materials, however, are important to ensure the safety and reliability of the components under severe dynamic loads.

Experimental studies and tests will be carried out to characterize the microstructure, to determine the strength and toughness properties, and to investigate the fracture mechanisms. Detailed microstructure characterization and fracture failure analysis will be carried out using state-of-the-art analytical tools. These include quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM), analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and various spectroscopic techniques. The project is supported by industry regarding the sample steel selection, industrial heat treatments, and mechanical testing.

Further information please contact Dr Quanshun Luo.

The objective of this project is to develop a sol gel coating that can be used at high temperature for corrosion and oxidation protection of metal substrates.

Sol–gel technology is fast becoming a recognised approach for producing an alternative environmentally-acceptable anticorrosion or functional coating. The major advantage of hybrid sol–gel systems over conventional ceramic-based sol–gel coatings is that crack-free thick coatings (above 10 µm), with controlled composition and morphology, can be formed at low cure temperatures. In addition, sol–gel technology also provides the advantages of low cost, simple formulation chemistry and flexibility of application method for coating complex geometries, e.g., dip, spray, etc. However, the hybrid sol gel system currently developed is usually used at temperatures below 2500C due to the thermal pyrolysis of organic components in the coating. The properties of corrosion resistance and oxidation protection of the coating will be studied at high temperature. The mechanical and thermal flexibility will be investigated. The structures and morphologies of the coating will be characterised by using SEM, AFM and IR.

Contact Dr Heming Wang for further information.

The aim of this project is to develop a low-cost antireflective coating by using hybrid sol gel methods.

Intensity of light transmission through glasses will lose 50% because of the reflection. Conventionally, thin films or coatings with low reflective index are applied on glass substrates by using vacuum vapour deposition to reduce the reflection. Low reflective index thin films or coatings will be prepared by doping porous nanoparticles in the hybrid sol gel formulation to create a low reflective index film. Thickness, structures and morphologies of the thin film will be characterised by using SEM, TEM or AFM. The application of antireflective coatings on solar cells can increase at least 10% of the efficiency.

Contact Dr Heming Wang for further information.

The objective of this project is to develop a conductive coating for the use of corrosion protection and other applications on metal via organic-inorganic hybrid/composite routes or sol gel methods.

The coating will be applied on metal after selection and optimisation of the formulation. The coating will be tested for corrosion resistance. The mechanism of anticorrosion will be investigated through electrochemical analysis. The adhesion, flexibility and other mechanical properties will be studied. Thickness, structures and morphologies of the coating will be characterised by using SEM, AFM, and IR.

Contact Dr Heming Wang for further information.

The aim of this project is to optimise a Cr6+ free pretreatment primer.

Al and Mg alloys are widely used in aircraft industries. The ban of the Cr6+ contained coatings for the protection of these metals in aircraft industries are approaching. This project will add various corrosion inhibitors in the formulation to investigate their corrosion resistance and mechanism to the coated metal through electrochemical analysis. The adhesion, flexibility and other mechanical properties will be studied. Thickness, structures and morphologies of the coating will be characterised by SEM, IR and AFM.

Contact Dr Heming Wang for further information.

Development of a new sol-gel method to deal with biofouling in marine industries.

Biofouling is a big issue in marine industries. Biofouling can cause up to 40% increase of fuel consumption for ships. The current approach to prevent the biofouling usually contains heavy metals that may create environmental concerns. Sol-gel technologies can be formulated to cure at room temperature with hydrophobic and hydrophilic functional surfaces. The polysiloxane structures of the sol-gel will also provide a low-energy mirror surface that is useful to prevent the biofouling.

The aim of this project is to develop a new sol-gel method for this application. antifouling performance and mechanism will be investigated. The coating will be characterised.

Contact Dr Heming Wang for further information.

Organic and inorganic hybrid materials or composites improve the light harvesting, photocurrent, charge transport and stability.

The aim of this project is to develop a true low cost photovoltaic cell with highly flexibility. Selection of inorganic nanoparticles and dispersion of these nanoparticles into semiconductor organic polymer matrix will be conducted in this research. Alternatively, other wet chemical routes would be invented or developed to produce photovoltaic structures. Creation of different solar cell designs using this organic-inorganic route will be studied to better understand and optimise for high charge-separation efficiencies. The photo and thermo-stability of the solar cell will be investigated to achieve a long life device.

Contact Dr Heming Wang for further information.

The range of Energy and Environmental applications of glasses and ceramics is vast, from active materials for solar and fuel cell energy applications to host materials for the safe immobilisation of radioactive and toxic wastes.

PhD and MPhil projects in this very important, topical and rewarding field of research include

• Radioactive waste immobilisation - novel host materials and processes
• Environmentally friendly glass / ceramic materials, practices and applications
• Thermal processing of incinerator ashes and resulting re-use opportunities
• New optical glasses and glass-ceramics for solar energy applications
• Microwave materials and microwave processing of materials
• Electrical properties of glasses and ceramics for energy applications
• Nanocrystalline glassy materials for energy applications

Students will have the opportunity to work in an enjoyable multi-disciplinary environment with access to state-of-the-art analytical and research equipment. Projects will be tailored to meet the ambitions and aspirations of each individual applicant - please get in touch to discuss your goals further.

Contact Dr Paul A Bingham for further information.

This PhD aims to develop work by means of the relatively new Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) that permits a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of fracture and crack propagation in advanced composite structures.

Over the last decade there has been a significant increase in the use of composite laminates in the aerospace industry in a drive to reduce emissions which comes as a direct result of reducing the weight. Due to the nature of the industry, stringent testing is required which is an expensive task and requires numerous tests to achieve certification, and this is only complicated by the nature of anisotropic materials. The appeal is then to use the finite element methods to develop computational models which can accurately replicate the behaviour and in doing so compliment physical testing. The ultimate aim in doing this is to reduce the cost and time involved in testing. However, finite element analyses are very expensive in terms of computational cost if extensive remeshing is necessary which the case of dynamic crack propagation problem is. The relatively new Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) solves this drawback as no remeshing is necessary.

DoS Dr Jose L Curiel Sosa (www.jlcurielsosa.org)

The Polymers, Composites and Spectroscopy Group have an active interest in the production, characterisation and application of sustainable materials. Current activities include the production of barrier coatings based on annually renewable biopolymers for use in sustainable packaging, novel use for waste food and drink and environmental clean-up and water purification.

There are numerous PhD/MPhil projects available

• the development of high barrier coatings and films using nanoclay dispersions in starch, chitosan and poly(lactic acid)
• explore how waste materials, from food or other sectors, can be incorporated into materials so that the enormous energy invested in food production can be conserved
• explore novel modifications/applications of naturally occurring, indigenous minerals, including clays and zeolites, to provide local, cost efficient sorbents to optimise water and air quality
• investigate the use of nanoparticles to minimise the quantity of petroleum derived polymers used in structural engineering and transport

Contact Professor Chris Breen Phone 0114 225 3008 Email c.breen@shu.ac.uk

Sustainable building materials, sustainable construction materials, sustainable production/curing of concrete, sustainable maintenance of bridges, buildings and roads.

There are numerous PhD/MPhil projects available

• Low impact building materials and products utilising waste
• Low impact alkali activated materials
• Low energy accelerated curing of concrete; low energy heating/de-icing of pavements and bridge decks
• Sustainable corrosion protection systems for the maintenance of reinforced concrete
• Energy efficiency of buildings
• Renewable energy technologies
• Novel insulation materials for energy conservation

Contact Professor Pal Mangat and Dr Fin O'Flaherty

Our work is used to help companies reduce energy consumption, increase energy efficiency and reduce CO² emissions, enhance corporate social responsibility and adopt a sustainable approach to business development.

There are numerous PhD/MPhil projects available

• life cycle analysis of products and processes
• energy efficiency
• energy supply where there is no infrastructure
• photovoltaics
• solar thermal for hot water
• solar electrical power via stirling engines and solar focused devices
• solar for diesel fuel generation
• absorption chiller technologies for cooling (pharmaceuticals and healthcare)
• irrigation systems and hydraulic technologies

Contact Dr Andy Young Phone 0114 225 5092 Email a.e.young@shu.ac.uk

The Nanotechnology Centre for PVD Research, within the Thin Films Research Centre, has a track record in development, production, characterisation and application of nanostructured coatings.

The coatings for biomass burner project will focus on combining metals forming oxide scales in a ceramic multi-layer coating. This can protect engineering components exposed to high temperatures (850-1000 degrees Celsius) against environmental attack for several thousands of hours.

The novel High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HIPIMS) technology will be employed to produce coatings with high adhesion and high density.

Contact Professor Papken Hovsepian

Postgraduate students joining this group will have training and experience in all activities listed below. They will also carry out this research in their home universities and start to replicate 'solar villages' in their own countries after completion of their PhD programme.

• growth of solar energy materials (inorganic and organic semiconductors and insulators)
• full characterisation of materials using a wide range of modern analytical techniques (x-ray diffraction, x-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscope, PEC, optical absorption, etc)
• fabrication of small scale thin film solar cells and assessment using I-V, C-V, photo-response, I-V-T, admittance spectra, deep-level transient spectroscopy, etc
• development, gradual scaling up and investigation of uniformity, yield, stability and lifetime of the devices
• work towards commercialisation of low-cost thin films solar panels

Contact Professor I M Dharmadasa Email dharme@shu.ac.uk

An investigation into tuning of electronic properties of sol-gel derived TiO2 via doping with different metal ions as well as low band gap nanocomposite material will be undertaken for device application.

In this proposed programme investigation into tuning of electronic properties of sol-gel derived TiO2 via doping with different metal ions as well as low band gap nanocomposite material will be undertaken for device application. Incorporation of dopants into the sol-gel matrix, will be evaluated by X ray analysis AFM, SEM and DC and AC electronic properties will be examined over a wide temperature and frequency ranges.

Contact Dr Aseel Hassan, phone 0114 225 6904 or email a.hassan@shu.ac.uk

The research will involve film characterisation using XRD, AFM, ellipsometry as well as thorough investigation of the electron transport in these films using DC and AC electrical measurements over broad temperature and frequency ranges.

This programme peruses research into the use of novel organic compounds called phthalocyanines into development of low cost memory components. The phthalocyanines can be easily processed in thin film structures using simple deposition methods such as spin coating and electrostatic self assembly and sandwiched between two conducting electrodes. One of them might be a flexible conducting plastic (polymer) prepared as thin films. The research will involve film characterisation using XRD, AFM, ellipsometry as well as thorough investigation of the electron transport in these films using DC and AC electrical measurements over broad temperature and frequency ranges.

Contact Dr Aseel Hassan, phone 0114 225 6904 or email a.hassan@shu.ac.uk

This programme will undertake research into development of new sensing methodologies with the aim of application in real time industrial detection.

Novel methods for reliable and low cost sensing are needed for the monitoring of natural and man-made hazardous pollutants, both in air and in drinking water. This programme will undertake research into development of new sensing methodologies with the aim of application in real time industrial detection. Organic materials such as phthalocyanines will be used as detection membranes and selectivity for certain analytes' detection will be thoroughly evaluated and analysed.

Contact Dr Aseel Hassan, phone 0114 225 6904 or email a.hassan@shu.ac.uk

A wide range of analytical techniques will be used to optimise structural, electrical and optical properties of relevant thin films.

The current research programme focuses on CdTe based thin film solar cell materials and devices. The research is based on electrodeposited CdS, ZnS, CdTe and SnS. A wide range of analytical techniques will be used to optimise structural, electrical and optical properties of relevant thin films. Fabrication, assessment and development of small scale devices (2 mm diameter) by minimising impurities, identifying and removing or passivating defects will be carried out. Finally, gradual scaling up of large area devices (3 mm, 5 mm diameter and 1.5 cm2) will be carried out in order to achieve highest possible efficiencies. Processing steps such as heat treatments, chemical treatments, chemical etching, surface passivation and metallisation will be researched in order to increase the efficiency, reproducibility, stability, lifetime and yield of the devices.

Contact Professor I M Dharmadasa, phone 0114 225 6910 or email dharme@shu.ac.uk

The project will develop a package to describe heat flow in intersubband emitters and make a bridge to simpler effective medium approaches that lead to fast algorithms.

The complexity of the multiple layered structures required to create intersubband emitters, frequently leads to bad thermal management in cryocooled devices. Scattering off defects and interfaces increases the thermal resistance making raising the lattice temperature in the active region of the device and leading to performance degradation. In this project we will develop a package to describe heat flow in intersubband emitters considering different phonon scattering processes microscopically and make a bridge to simpler effective medium approaches that lead to fast algorithms.

Contact Professor Mauro Pereira, phone 0114 225 5312 or email m.pereira@shu.ac.uk

The project will develop a numerical package to describe multiple wavelength emitters and investigate new design concepts.

Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCL's) generate radiation in a well defined mid infrared or THz wavelength. However, there are applications that require a broad range of wavelengths to be generated for which there are no commercial sources available. In this project we will develop a numerical package based on our state of the art microscopic nonequilibrium Green's Functions QCL transport and optics simulator to describe multiple wavelength emitters and investigate new design concepts. Successful designs will be constructed in collaboration with an epitaxial grower team and the calculated and measured performances will be compared and contrasted.

Contact Professor Mauro Pereira, phone 0114 225 5312 or email m.pereira@shu.ac.uk

The project will calculate, in detail, the influence of high order Coulomb correlations and their influence on intersubband antipolariton optical emission spectra.

In recent years, there has been major progress in the field of intersubband optical transitions. Those are possible in artificially created structures that allow a wide range of wavelengths to be explored, which would be not accessible in materials based on transitions between conduction and valence bands. Furthermore, our recently introduced concept of intersubband antipolaritons sheds a new light in the coupling of light with intersubband transitions in semiconductor microcavities. In this project we will calculate, in detail, the influence of high order Coulomb correlations and their influence on intersubband antipolariton optical emission spectra.

Contact Professor Mauro Pereira, phone 0114 225 5312 or email m.pereira@shu.ac.uk

In this project we will calculate the luminescence spectrum with a microscopic theory and compare it directly with experimental data.

New intersubband devices like quantum cascade lasers operate out of equilibrium and can in principle have electrons in highly nonthermal states. The best experimental method to characterise the electronic distributions is microprobe photoluminescence (MPPL). However even the best team in the world interpret the data using an oversimplified model. Particularly the usual fit parameters and phenomenological decay constants can be meaningless under certain conditions. In this project we will calculate the luminescence spectrum with a microscopic theory and compare it directly with experimental data provided by the world leading MPPL team at the University of Bari.

Contact Professor Mauro Pereira, phone 0114 225 5312 or email m.pereira@shu.ac.uk

This project will study the doping of single crystal ZnO by ion implantation.

Zinc oxide has a wide band gap semiconductor (3.2 eV), with a very high exciton binding energy. It has potential both in lasing and high power electronics applications. ZnO is readily doped n-type, but it is proving difficult to dope p-type. This project will study the doping of single crystal ZnO by ion implantation. The evolution of implantation damage and dopant activation during subsequent thermal processing will be investigated using a number of electrical techniques including Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy, and electron microscopy

Contact Dr Karen Vernon-Parry, phone 0114 225 4852 or email k.vernon-parry@shu.ac.uk

The project will determine the method by which coatings on contaminated surfaces fail through the development of protocols for carrying out adhesion tests within a high vacuum environment so that the locus of failure may be fully characterised.

The protective nature of paints is impaired when the substrate is not suitably prepared. For structural steelwork, this problem has been traditionally dealt with by applying red lead, which acts to negate the effect of corroded surfaces. This treatment is no longer ecologically acceptable. Environmental concerns have prompted research to develop a better understanding of the mechanism by which coatings protect. This project would determine the method by which coatings on contaminated surfaces fail through the development of protocols for carrying out adhesion tests within a high vacuum environment so that the locus of failure may be fully characterised.

Contact Dr David Greenfield, phone 0114 225 3500 or email d.greenfield@shu.ac.uk

The project aims to develop an understanding of the physical and chemical features of coatings which are responsible for the causes of heterogeneities.

The causes of heterogeneities in anticorrosive organic coatings, which can compromise their protective ability, are not clearly understood. This project aims to develop an understanding of the physical and chemical features of coatings which are responsible for these features. State-of-the-art localised electrochemical techniques (that have the ability to map corrosion activity across a surface of both coated and uncoated metal specimens) would be used alongside vibrational spectroscopy to characterise polymer coatings to provide data which can identify the causes of their inhomogeneous nature.

Contact Dr David Greenfield, phone 0114 225 3500 or email d.greenfield@shu.ac.uk

Research into structural engineering materials such as concrete, steel, timber etc.

We are always delighted to hear from candidates who would like to undertake research in structural engineering materials such as concrete, steel, timber etc. Please contact us to discuss further.

Contact Dr Fin O'Flaherty, phone 0114 225 3178 or email f.j.oflaherty@shu.ac.uk

The project will strive to identify the structural organisation of the different components using x-ray diffraction, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, sophisticated, instrumental methods of thermal analysis and transmission electron microscopy.

The increased use of 'green' polymers as packaging materials depends upon the barrier properties of renewable polymers/nanocomposites and their subsequent biodegradation. Clays increase the barrier properties and enhance the biodegradability of natural polymers. In this project both naturally-occurring and organomodified clays will be dispersed into polymers from annually renewable sources. The combination of commercially available waxes with selected plasticisers will be studied. The mechanical and barrier properties of the resulting nanocomposites will be ascertained together with their influence on the biodegradability/compostability of the nanocomposites produced. The project will strive to identify the structural organisation of the different components using x-ray diffraction, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, sophisticated, instrumental methods of thermal analysis and transmission electron microscopy.

Contact Professor Chris Breen, phone 0114 225 3008 or email c.breen@shu.ac.uk

The project aims to devise new, more effective combinations of fire retardant nanocomposites thus providing the public with more time to escape a fire.

Thermogravimetry combined with mass spectrometry (TG-MS) provides information regarding the real-time generation of degradation products of polymer-clay nanocomposites. When an automated thermal desorption unit connected to a GC-MS (TD-GC-MS) is used to separate, identify and quantify the individual molecules released during the degradation process, the interpretative/predictive capability is greatly enhanced. When the identity of the evolved molecules is known, the real-time TG-MS data can be used to determine at what point in the degradation process the specific molecule was evolved, thus generating critical information about the degradation mechanism and how it can be controlled. This mechanistic understanding provided by the powerful combination of analytical techniques is being used by the research group to devise new, more effective combinations of fire retardant nanocomposites. This can provide the public with more time to escape a fire before being overcome by smoke, the real killer in these situations.

Contact Professor Chris Breen, phone 0114 225 3008 or email c.breen@shu.ac.uk

The project will focus on medical diagnosis of a number of conditions and will explore ways to integrate various fields of artificial intelligence into expert systems.

Medical diagnosis is usually complex and requires a lot of knowledge and experience. This study will focus on medical diagnosis of a number of conditions and will explore ways to integrate various fields of artificial intelligence into expert systems.

Contact Dr Reza Saatchi, phone 0114 225 6896 or email r.saatchi@shu.ac.uk

The project will devise and apply techniques to enhance ultrasound images to make their interpretation easier.

Ultrasound is widely used in science, engineering and medical fields. Ultrasound images are inherently noisy. The aim of this project is to devise and apply techniques to enhance these images to make their interpretation easier.

Contact Dr Reza Saatchi, phone 0114 225 6896 or email r.saatchi@shu.ac.uk

The aim of this study is to find an alternative to x-ray for detecting and localising bone fractures in infants.

The aim of this study is to find an alternative to x-ray for detecting and localising bone fractures in infants that is both cost effective and non-radiation based. We have a collaboration with a local hospital for the study. The proposed study will require expertise in computing and image processing. Knowledge of electronic would be valuable. Medical knowledge is not essential to start this work.

Contact Dr Reza Saatchi, phone 0114 225 6896 or email r.saatchi@shu.ac.uk

The project will develop techniques that will allow breathing in infants to be monitored without any instrument being attached to the infant.

This work will be carried out in collaboration with a local hospital and will involve developing techniques that will allow breathing in infants to be monitored without any instrument being attached to the infant. The proposed work involves image processing, data analysis and computing. Knowledge of medical field is not essential to start this work.

Contact Dr Reza Saatchi, phone 0114 225 6896 or email r.saatchi@shu.ac.uk

The project will develop techniques to extract diagnostic information from digital ultrasound images obtained from human breast tissue.

The work will involve developing techniques to extract diagnostic information from digital ultrasound images obtained from human breast tissue. The aim would be to localise and differentiate cancerous tissues. We have already made some progress in this area by developing the required instrumentation system and carrying out some critical analysis. The proposed study will require skills in image process but knowledge of medical field is not essential as we have a number of medical collaborators.

Contact Dr Reza Saatchi, phone 0114 225 6896 or email r.saatchi@shu.ac.uk

The project will continue our existing findings and investigations and should result in new techniques or new findings related to QoS routing in wireless ad-hoc networks.

Routing plays an important role in Quality of Service (QoS) performance of mobile wireless ad-hoc networks. We have investigated the limitations of commonly used routing protocols for wireless ad-hoc networks and developed some techniques to further improve their performance for transmitting multimedia application over mobile wireless ad-hoc networks. The proposed study will continue our existing findings and investigations and should result in new techniques or new findings related to QoS routing in wireless ad-hoc networks. The investigations are likely to be done using simulated networks.

Contact Dr Reza Saatchi, phone 0114 225 6896 or email r.saatchi@shu.ac.uk

The focus of this study is the IEEE 802.11 medium access control (MAC) protocol.

We have developed a number of techniques to improve transmission of multimedia applications over wireless networks. These involved assessing and improving Quality of Service (QoS) for wireless networks. The focus of this study is the IEEE 802.11 medium access control (MAC) protocol. The aim is to further develop techniques to incorporate QoS into the IEEE 802.11 MAC protocol. The work involves understanding of wireless network transmission protocols and multimedia QoS issues. The investigations are likely to be done using simulated networks.

Contact Dr Reza Saatchi, phone 0114 225 6896 or email r.saatchi@shu.ac.uk

The project aims to develop a probabilistic motion model linked with the kinematics/dynamics of the actual mobile robot motion.

In order to be able to correct and infer position/localisation information in a mobile robot, a motion model is needed. These motion models are a vital part for several different mobile robot problems. This is the case with the Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping problem (SLAM). Motion modelling is an important but not widely researched aspect of mobile robotics.

The project aims to develop a probabilistic motion model linked with the kinematics/dynamics of the actual mobile robot motion. It should provide a theoretical framework for such a model, which should be also experimentally validated. Experiments can be performed on either custom built units or directly on mobile robot platforms (e.g. Khepera III, Erratic Mobi). It is expected that a new motion model will be produced, that will be able to take into account the characteristics of the environment whilst at the same type being used as part of a larger framework (e.g. SLAM).

Contact Dr George Chliveros, phone 0114 225 3508 or email g.chliveros@shu.ac.uk

The project aims at the full integration of a mobile robot equipped with a robot-arm into a crew of fire fighters wearing breathing apparatus.

The project aims at the full integration of a mobile robot equipped with a robot-arm into a crew of fire fighters wearing breathing apparatus. The robot and arm are intended as a (remote) extension of the senses and limbs of the human crew, designed as a bi-directional haptic feedback system. The PhD student will design suitable behavioural protocols and interaction patterns between human beings and the mobile robot and robot arm. Development and testing are foreseen in cooperation with the Fire and Rescue Service.

Contact Dr Jacques Penders, phone 0114 225 3738 or email j.penders@shu.ac.uk

The project will address the problem of real-time navigation for (multi)-robot motion planning in dynamic indoor environments containing both static and moving obstacles.

Planning of the Robot Motion and Robot Navigation are interrelated fundamental problems in robotics. The problem of Robot Motion can be stated as finding a path for a robot to move from its initial configuration to its goal configuration without colliding with obstacles along the path.

The project will address the problem of real-time navigation for (multi)-robot motion planning in dynamic indoor environments containing both static and moving obstacles. Airports and railway stations are examples of such environments. There is an extensive amount of literature on crowd simulation and dynamics in computer graphics. However, until now there have been only limited attempts to tackle the problem of robot navigation in crowded environments, and those attempts are restricted mostly to simulated environments. The project will focus on developing deformable roadmaps of the environments in order to catch the dynamics of the environment. The roadmaps should have ability to retract, update and expand, depending on the current connectivity of the free space which can be changed dynamically.

This is a very challenging project, and a potential PhD candidate should have a strong mathematical background, preferably in computational topology and geometry, together with excellent programming skills.

Contact Dr Lyuba Alboul, phone 0114 225 5228 or email l.alboul@shu.ac.uk

The project is dedicated to developing a concise framework for building three-dimensional models based on the acquired data.

Recent advances in sensor technology allow acquisition of vast amount of three-dimensional data in a very short amount of time. However, in many applications, in particular in rescue robotics, the obtained data should be also quickly analysed in order to provide a meaningful interpretation of scenes or objects from which the data has been taken. It is also desirable to store not all the data but only those data that are sufficient for fulfilment of a specific application.

The project is dedicated to developing a concise framework for building three-dimensional models based on the acquired data, and subsequently processing, analysing and simplifying these models in such a way that the key characteristics of the object from which the data are acquired are preserved.

Shape is the most crucial characteristics of any three-dimensional object, and mathematically it can be expressed in terms of curvature. Therefore, the approach for developing multi-resolution modelling will be based on curvature, using curvature measures first for imposing an initial structure on the data, next for optimising this structure, and finally for extracting and approximating required features.

Contact Dr Lyuba Alboul, phone 0114 225 5228 or email l.alboul@shu.ac.uk

The project aims to develop methods for combining different modalities of data representation

Recent advances in sensor technology allow acquisition of vast amount of measurement and image data in a very short amount of time. The data from the same object can be acquired by means of several sensors, for example, by a LRF (laser range finder) and a camera. Therefore, sensor fusion should be performed as well, and one type of the data should be matched to another. Colour and texture are basic features used in many visual processing applications, whereas spatial data obtained by measurements are processed with the use of geometric concepts. The project aims to develop methods for combining different modalities of data representation and focuses on exploring the following problems

1. How to match effectively image data obtain by a (colour) camera and 3D data (points cloud) obtained with a LRF?
2. Could colour and texture of the image can be of help to determine the most representative features in a 3D model of the same object and vice versa, can the 3D model characteristics such as curvatures help in determining key features in the image of the corresponding object?
3. What kind of relationship can be determined between colour and texture of the image and geometric characteristics of the 3D model?

Contact Dr Lyuba Alboul, phone 0114 225 5228 or email l.alboul@shu.ac.uk

The project is concerned with developing robot swarming algorithms for the deployment of the wireless sensor network formed by the robots.

The project is concerned with developing robot swarming algorithms for the deployment of the wireless sensor network formed by the robots. This research is strongly related to the research on robotics, carried out at CENRA, in particular to the EU-funded project GUARDIANS. The GUARDIANS robots are relatively 'simple' robots with a number of simple interactions. They are equipped with wireless communication standards, and with various sensors to get information about the environment, such as cameras, IR, laser range fingers. The main goal of the project is to develop a robust method to deploy robots on the site in such a way as to provide its largest coverage. The robots should also be deployed in a sensible manner in order to facilitate communication and exploration of the environment. The development of such a method represents a challenge for the design of swarming algorithms as it should incorporate both non-communicative and communicative swarm modes.

Contact Dr Lyuba Alboul, phone 0114 225 5228 or email l.alboul@shu.ac.uk

The project aims to overcome the problems associated with numerous computer aided applications.

Numerous computer-aided applications face a number of important problems. Firstly, large 3D data of an object needs to be processed in the most appropriate way, including data compression and storage, and reconstruction of the model(s) of the object from the data. Secondly, in many applications there is also a need for a rapid transition between the raw data and the model. Traditionally, for fitting a model to the data, various analytical methods are used. There are also other approaches that take into consideration the discrete character of the data, and which, at least at the initial step, aim at providing a suitable discrete model, mostly in the form of a mesh (polygonal or polyhedral). In this project it is planned to move somewhat away from the above approaches but still retain aspects of them. Questions to be addressed during the PhD include what degree of smoothness is really needed to obtain a realistic model, given the data? Do we really need a smooth model, even if the underlying object is smooth? How can we ensure a rapid transition between the models of various degrees of smoothness?

Contact Dr Lyuba Alboul, phone 0114 225 5228 or email l.alboul@shu.ac.uk

The project aims to develop a framework for hierarchical map building based on a wireless communication network.

This network is formed by a robot swarm as well as information about the environment gathered by sensors installed on robots. This research is strongly related to the research on robotics, carried out by CENRA, in particular to the EU-funded project GUARDIANS. The deployment of wireless sensor network is constricted by geometry of the environment. The topology of a local network provides us an initial information about the environment, and can be also seen as an initial topological map. The network layout can indicate the boundaries of the environment as well as possible obstacles, which can also lead to an initial navigation map. The initial topological map will be enhanced by metric information gathered by robots' sensors. This project is inter-related to another robotic project on the development of swarming algorithms for the dynamic deployment of a robot swarm, also proposed at our laboratory.

Contact Dr Lyuba Alboul, phone 0114 225 5228 or email l.alboul@shu.ac.uk