Fully-Funded PhD Studentship at Swansea University's College of Engineering in UK

Swansea University's College of Engineering, in association with TWI and the Ser Cymru National Research Network, invites applications for a fully-funded PhD studentship. 
Background:
Computed Tomography (CT) is a well described technique of volumetric inspection, for objects in both the medical and industrial sectors. It provides the user with high-resolution cross-sectional density data on the internal volume of the object and has become a work-horse in the field of industrial Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and defect characterisation.
Traditional X-ray CT does suffer a number of limitations: It requires a full 360^o rotation of either the object under test or the radiographic equipment in order to obtain a complete dataset necessary for volumetric image reconstruction, which is not always possible. The entire object must fit in the field of view of the digital X-ray detector, limiting the size of the object. Long exposure times are required to acquire all the projections. The X-ray quanta must also sufficiently penetrate all regions of the object. This limitation means the inspection of multi-density objects (such as metal-composite joins) and objects with large aspect ratios can result in severe artefacts and low image quality. These limitations are a particular obstacle for components with complex or planar geometry as well as for composite components comprising multiple materials.
Advanced methodologies of tomographic acquisition and reconstruction can overcome these problems. Laminography requires only a small number of discrete planar movements, therefore no rotation, to reconstruct a 3D image, and tomosynthesis allows only a small number of predefined beam angles to be used for reconstruction. However tomosynthesis and laminographic reconstruction algorithms differ significantly from conventional filtered backprojection CT algorithms. Extensive research and development is required to apply these techniques to the inspection of large-scale and complex composite materials.
Aim and Objectives
The aim of this 3 year PhD project is to advance the techniques of industrial X-ray tomosynthesis and laminography in order to confidently apply them to the inspection of complex composite parts, other novel materials and large-scale components.
Primary objectives for this research project are:

• Develop standard laminography and tomosynthesis algorithms, based on reported techniques, for confident imaging and volumetric reconstruction of large-scale and composite, multi-material components.
  
• Develop novel and bespoke reconstruction algorithms for improved performance, measured by such indicators as, but not limited to, acquisition time, speed of reconstruction, image contrast or voxel resolution, reduced inspection visibility of component, size of component, adaptability of algorithms for analysis of other materials.
  
• Demonstrate that these algorithms can be applied for the inspection of materials other than composites, such as metals, welds, hybrid materials and components from the additive manufacturing (AM) process.
  
• Dissemination of findings through the means of presentation at relevant conferences and peer-review journal publications.
  

Secondary objectives include:

• Modelling of multi-material components in a tomographic set-up to acquire simulated radiographic images to aid development of advanced reconstruction techniques.
  
• Integrate advanced radiographic imaging techniques, such as dual-energy imaging, into the laminography/tomosynthesis methods to widen the scope of materials analysis.
  
• Design and develop an integrated system for capturing radiographic images for volumetric reconstruction.
  

The successful candidate will be based at TWI Technology Centre regional office in Port Talbot, South Wales. TWI is a global leader in joining and inspection technology engineering, providing research and consultancy to its member companies. The regional office, established in 2003, has recently moved to new purpose built premises with state of the art equipment and facilities supported by a team of professional engineering researchers. The centre is located equidistant between the cities of Cardiff and Swansea and near to the Gower Peninsula. The student will also be afforded the opportunity to complete globally recognised NDT qualifications through TWI’s own training service.
The student will be academically supervised by Prof Perumal Nithiarasu, Head of Swansea University’s Zienkiewicz Centre for Computational Engineering and Prof Martin Bache of SMaRT – University Technology Centre in Materials, and professionally supervised by TWI staff. The student will be expected to start in January 2015.
For more information about TWI, please visit their website: http://www.twi-global.com/

Academic requirements:
Applicants should have a 1st class BEng OR a 2:1 (min) MEng OR an MSc in engineering, computer science,  mathematics, or a related subject.
A high level of numeracy and a good level of computational programming and algorithm development are essential. 
Residency criteria:
This studentship is open to UK, EU and international applicants, however only UK/EU tuition fees will be paid. International students will be required to pay the difference between UK/EU and overseas tuition fees. 


To apply for this studentship, please send a CV and covering letter outlining your suitability for the position to:
Philip Wallace, Regional Manager, TWI Technology Centre (Wales): recruitment@twi.co.uk
Please include the reference number NRN091 in the subject line of your email. 
The deadline for applications is Friday 31st October 2014.
Informal enquiries are welcome and may be directed to Alan Clarke: alan.clarke@twi.co.uk  tel: +44 (0)1639 873100
http://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/engineering-phd-advancing-techniques-computed-tomography.php