Ciência sem Fronteiras (Science Without Borders)
DCU PhD Project Template:
**Please use one form per project**
Please complete & submit to your Head of School by Monday 16th July
PI name & contact details:
Dr. Alan Kennedy
School:
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Research Centre / group
affiliation:
Energy and Environmental Flow Modelling Group
Research group / centre
website:
http://www.dcu.ie/mechanical_engineering/efmg/index.shtml
PI website / link to CV:
Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity (2 or 3 lines max):
Basic research in multi-fluid flow. Basic research into wave-current-wind interaction. Modelling of
the dynamic response of marine structures to environmental loading. Study of coastal erosion
processes. Basic research in Transmission Line Modelling (TLM) methods for convection-diffusion.
Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web):
Title: Improving techniques for x-ray diffractogram analysis
Description:
An x-ray diffractogram can be a plot of intensity values against angle for a given material sample
which contains a series of peaks superimposed on a “background” and distorted by “noise”. The
size, width and position of these peaks can be used to determine the material composition (and
other information such as the level of residual stress). The current software algorithms for
analysing these diffractograms involves a step-by-step process which requires some level of
human intervention and skill. Decisions made at each stage can affect the final results. This work
will look at improving the techniques used and combining information from different techniques
with a long term goal of reducing errors, improving the efficiency of the process, and reducing
(and/or making more straightforward) the required human interaction.
Key words: Algorithm development, data analysis, data mining, material analysis
Unique selling points of PhD project in DCU:
DCU projects should offer something that’s not available in Brazil – specific equipment, multi-disciplinarity,
aspects of structured programme, links with industry, placements, links with other research groups etc.
The PI has, before joining DCU, developed an application for x-ray diffractometer control, diffractogram
analysis, unit cell refinement and material identification. He has other experience in developing data analysis
techniques that could be applied to diffractogram analysis.
DCU has an x-ray diffractometer and other a range of other material analysis equipment available.
Name & contact details for project queries, if different from PI named above: N/A
Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply:
Engineering
Software Engineering
Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD project fits- choose only
one (tick box):
Engineering and other technological areas
X
Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)
Health and Biomedical Sciences
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
Aerospace
Pharmaceuticals
Oil, Gas and Coal
Renewable Energy
Minerals
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology and New Materials
Technology of prevention and remediation of natural disasters
Biodiversity and Bioprospection
Marine Sciences
Creative Industry
New technologies in constructive engineering
Please complete