THE GLASGOW RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP
IN ENGINEERING
Director
Professor Jim McDonald
University of Strathclyde
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Aims
The GRPE was established late 2006 via an investment of over $120m
by the Scottish Funding Council and partner Institutions in order to:
• Enhance the competitiveness of Engineering in Scotland
• Consolidate Engineering Research as a key wealth generator
• Develop a competitive focus for world leading Research
• Create a strong base on which high quality international
partnerships can be built
• NB 25 new academic appointments are currently being made and
these will be supported by 35 post-doctoral researchers and over 50
PhD studentships
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Joint Research Institute (JRI)
in
Electronic, Power
& Communication Systems
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Departmental Overview
Department(s) of Electronics and Electrical Engineering
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Univ. of Glasgow Univ. of Strathclyde
academic staff
34
55
research technologists 7
8
technicians
44
39
research assistants
52
96
PhD students
62
124
MSc students
35
65
Undergraduates
300
550
Both RAE 2001 Grade 5 research quality rated Departments
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Research Groups/Strathclyde
Energy and Environment
Electrical Power Systems
Power Electronics and Drives
High Voltage Technology
Protection and Control
Renewable Energy Sources
Distributed Generation
AI decision support methods
Ultrasonics
Comms and Signals
Broadband Communications
Wireless Networks
Digital Communications
Network Design and Control
RF Systems
Control
Wind Energy Control Systems
Transducer Design
Complex Systems Control Theory
Acoustic Signal Processing
Stochastic/Dynamic methods
Non Destructive Evaluation
AI based interpretation methods
Micro Systems
Transducer Design
MEMS
Optoelectronic Systems
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Research Groups/Glasgow
Nanoelectronics
Top-down nanofabrication
Ultra-fast systems
Quantum transport
Atomic Force Microscopy
Device theory and modeling
Optoelectronics
Ultra-fast optical switching
Semiconductor lasers
Photonic ICs
Nonlinear optics
Theory and modeling
Photonic band-gap devices
Microsystems and Bioelectronics
Diagnostic biosensors
Tissue engineering
DNA sequencing
Lab-on-a-chip
Lab-in-a-pill
Robotics
Music Technology
Power and Energy
Power system analysis
Power Electronics
Renewable Energy
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JRI in Electronics, Communications
and Power Systems
• Combine established strengths of research in SU and GU E&EE
Departments (research pooling)
• SU E&EE has international class strengths in Electrical Power
Systems and Communications Systems
• GU E&EE has international class strengths in Physical
Electronics and Microsystems
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JRI Theme 1: Electronic Systems
• Electronic devices
– fundamental to all future advances in communications, power delivery
and control, micro-systems, MEMS, imaging.
• Technology platforms
– fundamental prerequisites for viable integration of devices into systems
– manufacturability, yield, reliability, performance, etc.
• Micro- and nano-fabrication
– essential integration technologies
• Research challenges
– develop novel ultra-fast electronic/optical/bioelectronic devices using
nanofabrication integration techniques
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Technology Summary
Europe’s fastest III-V transistor
technology
World’s fastest
semiconductor laser
2 mm
World’s first 77 GHz
InP Vector Modulator
World’s first
Si/SiGe HMOS
amplifier
Europe’s fastest
MMIC amplifier
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Nanofabrication
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JRI Theme 2:
Communications & Information Systems
• Communications technology
– advances as systems become more distributed
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wireless networking
smart sensors
• Complexity
– increases with distributivity
– interfacing in heterogeneous systems
• Signal Processing Architectures
– coding and modulation formats; multi-channel; high bandwidth
• Research challenges
– devise SP architectures that are compatible with deliverable
technology platforms
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Communications Research
Collaborative & complementary research areas include:
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Wired networks (traditional cable, powerline)
Mobile (eg. 3GEvolution and 4G generation),
Wireless (provision of >100Mbit/s, IEEE802.1x, IEEE802.2x)
Wire-free communication (acoustic, ultrasonic, optics)
Wireless sensor networks (environment monitoring & control)
Signal processing (algorithms and architectures)
Data management in complex networks
Multi-media communications (speech, audio, image, video)
Channel modelling (signal propagation environments)
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Diversity
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The growth in the requirements of instant, reliable, and very high bit-rate
communication at any time and in any place will expand significantly in the
next 5 years.
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Diversity
Real time modelling and simulation, stochastic modelling for design and control purposes
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Reference to application areas eg comms networks and/or power applications
JRI Theme 3: Power and Energy Systems
Generation Sources
– Major challenges to connect and manage a diverse, low carbon, sustainable set of
generation sources from conventional thermal to nuclear and renewable (wind,
wave, tidal, solar and bio-mass) coupled with demand side optimisation.
Distributed Generation and Active Networks
– New, highly distributed power systems will be required to accommodate large
volumes of DG and the concept of “intelligent” networks is attractive making the
network highly active.
Integration and Energy Conversion
– A key enabling technology for grid interconnection and active network management
is power electronics. This will also provided new supply flexibility allowing energy
conversion from diverse sources to range from 50Hz, 240v, 3-phase AC to variable
voltage, variable frequency multi-phase forms depending on requirements
(NB Marine and Aero electrical applications are also attractive opportunities)
Research challenge
– Electrical system design innovation underpinned by control methods, electronic
devices and communication strategies for the integration of power from highly
distributed sources to the network grid and creating the potential for “power islands”
or “autonomous power cells”
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Cross Disciplinary Themes
The following slides illustrate how the Electronics theme
of the GRP can support the Energy theme i.e. it shows how
the “white space” between Electronic and Power research
can be addressed.
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Heterogeneous electronic systems for nuclear
process monitoring and control
• Opto-electronic and optical fibre
sensors (SU, GU)
• Ultrasonic transducer arrays for structural
monitoring (SU)
• Optical MEMS sensors (SU)
• Silicon microelectronics (GU)
• Wire-free sensor networking (SU, GU)
• UHF sensors (SU)
• Intelligent data interpretation (SU)
• Ref British Energy Adv Research Centre,
GSES Sim. Centre, EPSRC EngD Centre
Micromachined ultrasonic array (CUE)
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Heterogeneous electronic systems for fuel cell monitoring
• Infra-red lasers for water vapour
monitoring (GU)
• Carbon nanotube sensors for hydrogen
(SU)
• MEMS sensors for temperature (SU)
• Wire-free sensor networking (SU, GU)
• Sensor/system integration (SU,GU)
• Ref EPSRC Supergen V–Energy Storage,
and Rolls-Royce-UTC in Electrical
Systems
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Heterogeneous electronic systems for HV switchgear
and transformers (Partial Discharge monitoring)
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Sensor arrays for RF emission (SU)
RF MEMS switches (SU)
Ultra-low-noise RF amplifiers (GU)
Electronic/RF design (GU)
Intelligent data interpretation (SU)
Refer Electric Utilities Programme
with 26 Intl’companies and EPSRC
Supergen V Infrastructure &
Monitoring Programme
Centre for Distributed Generation and
Sustainable Power Generation
MEMS RF switch (CMP)
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Joint Research Institute
in
Environmental, Infrastructure and
Transportation Engineering
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Themes and Threads
Environment
& Infrastructure
Sustainable
Transportation
Aerospace
Engineering
Stakeholder values, Computational & Laboratory methods
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Research Challenges
Environment & Infrastructure
Waste, Pollution, Health & Biotechnology
Contaminated land, Traffic Pollution, Solid Waste & Bioremediation
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Research Challenges
Environment & Infrastructure
Fluvial & Coastal Processes, Flooding & Flood Defences
River engineering, data assimilation modelling, flood embankments
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Research Challenges
Sustainable Transportation
Sustainable Mobility
Improve accessibility, reduce congestion, reduce social exclusion
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Research Challenges
Sustainable Transportation
Marine Transportation
Cargo handling, Traffic Congestion, Modelling Port & Ship Operations
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Research Challenges
Aerospace Engineering
Flight Simulation & Control
Nonlinear Predictive Control, Inverse Simulation, Traffic Management
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Research Challenges
Aerospace Engineering
Aerodynamics & Space Systems
Noise, pollution, efficiency, CFD, autonomous control, solar sail
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Joint Research Institute
in
Mechanics of Materials,Structures
and Bio-Engineering
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Performance of Materials and Structures
Performance of
Materials and Structures
d
an
ics
an on
ch ati
me bilit ing
Bio eha ineer
R ng
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Structures at Exceptional, Severe or Extreme Conditions
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Em om
er posit
gin e
g M s an
ate d
ria
ls
Mechanics
High Temperature
Payload orbit transfer
with motorised tethers
Hazard Mitigation, Protection, Emergency, Blast, Impact
ASR, DEF
Spalling of Concrete in Fire, Fire stable cements
Material Degradation, ChemoMechanical Coupling
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Performance of
Materials and Structures
Performance of Materials and Structures
Discretised Macro
Domain
d
an
ics
an on
ch ati
me bilit ing
Bio eha ineer
R ng
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C
Em om
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gin e
g M s an
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ria
ls
Mechanics
Water and gas flow
Heat conduction
Fluid density
Fluid viscosity
H
T
Spatial field
gradients
(e.g.
displacements,
temperature,
pressures)
Solve
Microscale
Problem
Discretised Micro Domain (RVE)
Upscaling, REV
Computational
Homogenisation
Multiscale and
Multiphysics
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y
sit ns
ro
ai
Po
s tr
al
erm
Th
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THERMAL
Heat
conduction
Heat
advection
(Phase
changes latent
heat
Stressstrain
Po
ro
sit
E
y
Su ffec
t
cti iv
on e s
ch tre
an ss
ge
s
Fluxes
Tangents
Heat convection
Thermal conductivity
Specific heat
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MECHANICAL
Net/effective
stresses
Suction/Water
pressures
Temperature
Multi Barrier Waste Disposal
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HYDRAULIC
Liquid flow
Gas flow
Air
dissolution in
water
Air diffusion
in water
Phase
changes
Vapour
diffusion
Gas
generation
and transport
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Characterisation and Testing
Macro, Meso, Micro, Nano
Micromechanical
Testing
and
Modelling
FIB micro machining
Thermal conductivity
Topography
Topography
Testing and
thermal
conductivity
imaging on a
nano scale
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Em om
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gin e
g M s an
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ria
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Mechanics
Temperature
Crack path in
the heat affected zone
Performance of
Materials and Structures
d
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an on
ch ati
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Bio eha ineer
R ng
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Fracture of Damaged
Materials
Performance of Materials and Structures
Cement
Nanoindentation
ITZ
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Composites and Emerging Materials
Performance of
Materials and Structures
d
an
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an ion
ch at
me bilit ing
Bio eha ineer
R ng
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C
Em om
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gin e
g M s an
ate d
ria
ls
Mechanics
Glass fibres/
polypropylene matrix
Bubble Free Resins
Carbon
fibres/
epoxy matrix
Woven and stiched
fabrics
NDT of Adhesives
Polymer composite materials
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C
Em om
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gin e
g M s an
ate d
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Mechanics
d
an
ics
an ion
ch at
me bilit ing
Bio eha ineer
R ng
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Biomechanics and
Rehabilitation Engineering
Performance of
Materials and Structures
Movement and Activitybased Therapy
Outcome Measures
Cardiopulmonary fitness
Bone integrity
Tissue viability
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Cycling in paraplegia via
leg-muscle stimulation
Standing and balance
active balance re-training;
balance control during
quiet standing
Treadmill gait therapy,
robot-assisted gait
cardiopulmonary testing protocols;
tests of functional status
muscle bulk
seating pressure
tissue oxygenation
Muscle properties
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fibre type composition
(contractile speed)
spasticity
strength
volitional function
Function Restoration
Cardiopulmonary status:
metabolic monitoring
Bone integrity
pQCT scanning
Muscle bulk
MRI scanning
Exercise options: cycling, armcranking, treadmill
Standing and balance
Respiratory function:
abdominal, intercostal
stimulation
Bladder and bowel function:
Muscle properties
implanted neural
dynamometry
prostheses
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Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Engineering
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Em om
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gin e
g M s an
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ls
Mechanics
d
an
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an ion
ch at
me bilit ing
Bio eha ineer
R ng
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Rehabilitation Engineering, Tissue Engineering, Artificial Organs, Medical
Devices & Point of Care Diagnostics
Performance of
Materials and Structures
Novel Electrophysiological Methods for the
evaluation and monitoring of spinal cord injury
Studies on locomotor rehabilitation
Brain Computer Interfaces for neuroprosthetics
Assessing Wheelchair Accessibility via haptics & virtual reality
Motor Control &
Neurophysiology
Orthopaedic
Biomechanics
HealthQWest (Function
for Living)
Prosthetics & Orthotics
Biomechanical Modelling
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The Glasgow Research Partnership in
Engineering
Enhancing the Competitiveness of Engineering Research
&
confirming the West of Scotland as a
World Leading Centre for Engineering Research
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