IMR Postgraduate Research Students
(Click on academic staff for details of supervisors)
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Bachik Abu Bakar b.abubakar03@leeds.ac.uk Research interest: Measurement and Prediction of Comfort in Hot Climates: Dynamic water vapour transfer properties Based on the evaporative dish test integrated with data-logging sensors, a method has been developed to determine the dynamic temperature, humidity and water vapour concentration of the microclimatic zone within garments operating in saturated air conditions. Experiments are being conducted under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. The work is enabling the role of composition and engineering design of garments to be elucidated with respect to the microclimate and to establish the influence on thermophysical comfort. Dynamic Water Vapour Concentration for 100% PET, PET-cotton and 100% cotton compositions |
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Uthman Al Malki pmumam@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Quenching and Partitioning Process the New Heat Treatment of Steel Quenching and Partitioning (Q&P) is a new process used to produce dual phase structure consisting of martensite and retained austenite. The Q&P process is designed to stabilizeaustenite. Austenite is stabilized by partitioning of carbon from supersaturated, quenched, martensite into the untransformed austenite at the partitioning temperature. Dual and multiphase steels are known for their high strength and goodformability and Q&P process isexpected toform the next generation of advanced high strength steels. The applicability of this process to other steel application is under investigation. The better understanding of the nature and kinetics of transformation will help in this direction. The work is being carried out as part of a collaborative program with the Advanced Steel Processing and Products Research Centre, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, and the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, Pontificia Universidade Catolica-Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. |
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Timothy Bigg pmtdbi@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Quenching and Partitioning of Steel Environmental concerns (weight reduction leading to improved fuel efficiency) and safety considerations (crashworthiness) are two of the greatest issues facing automobile manufacturers today. This PhD project is centred around a new steel heat treatment concept termed Quenching and Partitioning (Q&P) which has the potential to address both of these challenges. The work is being carried out as part of a collaborative programme with the Advanced Steel Processing and Products Research Centre, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, and the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, Pontificia Universidade Catolica-Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The research will attempt to clarify the nature and kinetics of the various solid state transformations that occur during the Q&P process with a view to increasing understanding and maximising the efficiency with which this novel heat-treatment stabilises retained austenite. |
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Matthew Bilton pre5mb@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Synthesis, Characterisation and Applications of Nanoscale Hydroxyapatite Hydroxyapatite (HAp) forms the main mineral component of bone and teeth. Therefore synthetic nano-sized HAp particles exhibit favourable biocompatibility and bioactivity. Naturally occurring HAp in bone and teeth is in the form of nanometre sized crystallites of Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 where the material contains a number of cation and anion impurities, for example CO32-,F- , Na+, Mg2+ and Sr2+. Medical applications of synthetic HAp have in the past used micron-sized powders, granules and composites. However, an increase in bioactivity and functionality is predicted by using nano-sized synthetic HAp. For example, enhanced osteoblast proliferation and adhesion has been reported, which facilitates mineralisation reactions. In order to optimise the performance of nano-HAp it is important to develop commercially viable particle synthesis routes for producing a range of chemically modified nanoscale materials. The new powders will better match the composition of HAp present in bone and teeth, thereby further enhancing bioactivity. Characterisation of powders is performed using a variety of techniques including TEM, EDX, XRD and XRF analysis. |
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Michael Brookes m.a.brookes02@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Pilling Mechanisms in High Performance Fabrics Determination of pill formation mechanisms in multi-filament sportswear fabrics and the role of filament mechanical properties and fabric construction. Quantitative analysis is being aided by image analysis enabling a basis for the determination of the underlying structure-property relationships. |
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Faye Bygrave pre4fb@leeds.ac.uk Supervisor: Steve Milne This work looks at the optimum processing conditions for the preparation of BFPT (xBiFeO3 - 1-xPbTiO3) thin films by pulsed laser deposition. It has been shown that the leakage current of BiFeO3 can be reduced by doping with Mn and Nb for bulk ceramics. Therefore work is being carried out to explore the effects of various dopants on the ferroelectrics properties of BFPT thin films. As bulk BFPT remains both ferroelectric and antiferromagnetic at room temperature around 0.83<x<1.0, an investigation into the magnetic and electrical characteristics of BFPT thin films is explored in this work. The relationship between the choice of substrate and orientation of the film is also explored. |
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Clare Cambridge pmcgc@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: High temperature, high strain piezoelectric single crystals There is a need or fast acting, high strain actuators in aviation gas turbines to replace servo systems for fuel and air control. Such actuators are expected to facilitate novel active control functions in aero engines such as combustion, noise and blade tip clearance controls, leading to quieter, cleaner and more efficient engines. The piezoelectric effect is a candidate for the basis of such actuators due to the high actuation speeds and the large specific forces that can be produced. The most widely used piezoelectric for actuators is polycrystalline Pb(Zr, Ti)O3 or PZT. It can produce field-induced strains in excess of 0.2%, whilst some perovskite single crystals, such as lead zinc niobate-lead titanate (PZN-PT), are known to exhibit up to 10 times the piezoelectric coefficient and 5 times the field-induced strain (>1%) of PZT. Neither PZT nor the single crystals are suitable for high temperature applications above 200°C. The objective of this project is to grow and characterise single crystals of BiFeO3–PbTiO3 in the context of its potential use as an actuator material. Crystal growth studies will be carried out using flux growth techniques, selecting the optimum process parameters based on thermal analysis data. Crystals of various compositions within the BiFeO3-PbTiO3 solid solution will be grown of sufficient size to measure the electromechanical properties. Characterisation methods will include X-ray diffraction, both at room temperature and at elevated temperature in order to verify the Curie temperature, dielectric property measurements, piezoelectric measurements including Berlincourt, resonance and direct strain methods, and blocking force measurements to determine the force capability of the material. All of these will be carried out as a function of temperature for the most promising materials. |
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Barnaby Caven tex2bc@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Biomimicking of Gecko Foot Adhesion The secret behind the Geckos ability to seamlessly stick to any surface has been a mystery to scientists for many years now; Aristotle first reported on this unusual talent in 350BC. The phenomenon was not truly understood until the mid 20th century, when the invention of the electron microscope enabled scientists to capture actual visual images in the microscopic range of the morphology of a gecko's attachment pad. These images revealed the hierarchical structure responsible for the adhesion. However, it was not until 2002 that the mechanism of adhesion was finally proven when Keller Autumn demonstrated that Tokay Geckos use van der Waals' forces to adhere to a surface. Replication of this adhesion has been attempted before, some initially successful attempts have been made, such as Gecko Tape, however a re-usable gecko inspired adhesive substrate has yet to be achieved. We have taken a textile approach to this using a highly organised protein based fibre as the starting point and then breaking the structure down through both mechanical and chemical attacks to achieve a structure that will give adhesive properties using the same mechanism of the gecko. |
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Caroline Clopet phycrc@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Deeply Undercooled Eutectic Alloys This study involves the investigation of binary eutectic alloy systems undercooled using non-equilibrium processing methods such as melt fluxing and drop tube processing. By employing such techniques a range of metastable alloys can be obtained including metallic glasses. The evolved microstructures of these rapidly solidified alloys are subsequently characterised using optical microscopy, SEM, EDX, TEM and X-ray diffraction techniques and directly related to level of undercooling. Changes in mechanical properties due to undercooling are determined by performing microhardness measurements and correlating the results with evolved microstructure.
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Graham Cooke sms5gec@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Material Science: Environmental Extraction of Titanium Dioxide The beneficiation of ilmenite ore to titanium dioxide using baking soda, vitamin C and a sugar. The aim is to produce a synthetic rutile of high purity suitable for use in a chlorination plant. The process utilises a three step mechanism; oxidative roasting, washing followed by a reductive leach. It introduces alkali material into the ilmenite grains at elevated temperature to increase its solubility. The washes remove the excess alkali and alkali ferrites from the grains before entering the reductive leach.Here the final impurities and alkali are removed via an acidic mixture of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and sugar (oxalic acid) under anaerobic conditions. |
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Baljeet Dhillon Research Interest: Effect of Cellulosic Fibre Content on Liquid Transport in Microcavitied Fabrics This is a fundamental study exploring the effects of cellulosic fibre composition on the liquid handling and mechanical and properties of micro-cavitied hydroentangled fabrics developed previously in Leeds. Understanding in this area is particularly relevant to an array of medical and hygiene applications. Structure-property relationships are being developed that will help to explain experimental observations in liquid sorption, wicking rates and absorbent capacity. X-ray microtomography techniques are revealing the detailed micro-structure of the fabrics.
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Ioannis Drivas i.drivas03@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Chemical Modification of Natural Plant Colouants from Plants, and Application to Textile Substrates Replacement of synthetic organic colorants in textile colouration with natural dye compounds derived from plants. Chemical modification increases affinity to PET and PLA. Synthesis of natural dye derivatives has been accomplished yielding six new dye compounds derived from alizarin and purpurin. Chemical characterization of the derivatives has been established by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infra-red, melting point and UV/visible spectrophotometry. |
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| Elaine Durham
e.r.durham02@leeds.ac.uk We are considering the problems of creating an elastic nonwoven that is suitable for the mechanically stimulated culture of cell-seeded neo-ACL tissue scaffolds as well as scaffolds with capillary-like-systems to prevent cell necrosis at the centre of a scaffold during in vitro culturing. The Anterior Cruiciate ligament (ACL) stabilises the knee joint in humans and other vertebrates. It is the weaker of the two cruciate ligaments, and as a result is often damaged in sporting activities. The ACL is vital for normal function of the knee, and its rupture can be very debilitating for the patient. Due to its apparent inability to self-repair, surgical intervention is often necessary. The current ‘gold standard’ in ligament repair involves the use of autografts, but these are far from ideal. Since the 1970’s many different attempts have been made at artificial ligament reconstruction, but there is still no satisfactory solution. In the 1990’s huge advances were made in the new field of tissue engineering, and this lead to new possibilities for ligament reconstruction. In order to tissue engineer neo-tissue a scaffold is required to provide sufficient surface area for cell attachment. This requires the scaffold to be a highly porous structure, such as a nonwoven fabric. We have developed an approach enabling us to control the orientation, interconnection, dimensions and void volume of a microcapillary network within a PLA fibrous scaffold at will; the influence of this network on cell seeding, culturing and histology is being studied. Histology of a cell-seeded scaffold after four weeks culturing The further approach involves construction of helically micro-crimped fibres converted into elastic nonwoven structures. Assays include ATP, histology, live/dead count, and ESEM analysis. For the mechanically stimulated cell culture TenCell has been developed. TenCell allows the scaffolds to experience precise amounts of strain for set periods of time while being cultured in optimal conditions. Further rigs are now being developed so that the deformation of the textile can be studied while under various strain levels. |
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Esam Elmadani pmee@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Nanobiomaterials (Hydroxyapatite) and the Development of Laser-Treatment Techniques in Dentistry This project follows on from previous projects investigating the synthesis of nano hydroxyapatite particles for the infiltration of pore channels in dentine, and the potential treatment of sensitive teeth. In the proposed project, it is intended to chemically modify the hydroxyapatite-based particles as well as the use of laser treatment in order to induce photosensitivity and the rebuilding damaged teeth. |
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Verity-Gay Hardy Research Interest: Construction of Smart Structures in Technical Textiles The term ‘Smart Textiles’ defines materials with advanced responsive properties that enabling sensing, actuation and/or control. An optimised polymeric filament strain-gauge sensor is under development that can be integrated in to fabrics to detect both strain and bending motions. |
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Behrooz Ghorani Research Interest: Fluid Flow in Nanofibrous Nonwoven Networks The work is concerned with experimental and theoretical studies of the flow dynamics in fibrous networks of high specific surface area. This is of particular importance in the engineering design of high efficiency filtration media. The research involves the extension of standard electrospinning techniques to facilitate functionalisation of nonwoven fabric surfaces to enable selective removal of target particulates in gas flows. |
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Parikshit Goswami p.goswami04@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Colouration Effects in Respect of Fibre Fibrillation The aim of the research is to develop understanding of the effects of hairiness and microfibrillation on the coloration of lyocell. Due to the highly crystalline structure of lyocell and weaker lateral links between the crystallites, the fibres undergo localized separation of fibrous elements from the surface known as fibrillation, mainly under conditions of wet abrasion. Comparison of K/S values at λmax , % exhaustion, and % fixation for fibrillated lyocell and conventional lyocell reveals that unfibrillated lyocell exhibits higher visual colour yield (K/S) compared to fibrillated fibres irrespective of the exhaustion and fixation values. Alkali pre-treatment reduces the tendency of the lyocell to fibrillate. Fabrics were therefore treated with 0-8 mol dm-3 NaOH by pad-batch process and then dyed. NaOH pretreatment significantly improves the colour yield, exhaustion, and fixation for all dyestuffs used. The highest visual colour yields are obtained when the fabrics are pretreated with 1.5-2.5 mol dm-3 of NaOH. Analysis of yarn cross-sections, pretreated with NaOH and reactive dyed at 2% owf shade reveal significant differences. Fluorescence microscopy also reveals differences.
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Jane Grimshaw j.e.grimshaw00@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Engineering Design of Outdoor Clothing Relationships between engineering design methodology, mechanical design, human physiology and comfort. Experimental studies are underway involving field trials and the evaluation of thermophysical comfort in the climate chamber and rain-room evaluations of sample garments. Gretton, J. C. (1998). Moisture vapour transmission through clothing systems for outdoor activities. Department of Textile Industries. Leeds, The University of Leeds. PhD. |
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Ahmad Harun pmamh@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Fabrication, Evaluation and Application of New Electrical Materials Based on Conducting Polymers The research project aims to combine the properties of ferroelectric materials in novel devices with conducting polymers. The project has the aim of exploring a device known as a Ferroelectric FET or FFET. Such devices can in principle have applications in solid state memories or in novel sensors. They have proven quite difficult to make reliably in convention semiconductor systems, but there are potential advantages in developing such devices based on polymer systems. In this case the device would comprise a layer of semiconducting polymer, with drain and source contacts, plus a layer of a ferroelectric-polymer composite (ferroelectric particles in a high resistivity polymer) to act as the gate insulator. |
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Anna Harvey a.harvey99@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Physicochemical Mechanisms Involved in the Binding of Antimicrobial Agents to Textile Fibres Understanding the way in which poly(hexamethylene biguanide) (PHMB) binds to cellulosic fibres. Computational chemistry and experimental data have been used to draw conclusions. Micro-organisms can be found almost everywhere in the environment. The term ‘microbe’ encompasses all species of bacteria, fungi, and algae. Microbes multiply quickly when the basic requirements such as moisture, oxygen, nutrients and appropriate temperatures are present. Many textile products provide ideal conditions for microbes to reside and a platform for colony growth, consequently, leaving the textile product with undesirable properties. This can include odour problems, aesthetics and loss of tensile strength Although an awareness of biocides is very old, the application of finishes to textiles with a view to prevent microbe growth is a relatively new area of the textile industry. Any textile finish that inhibits or kills micro-organisms can accurately be described as 'antimicrobial’. There are a range of actives and finishing methods that can prevent growth of microbes on textiles. The primary aim of this research is to understand PHMB binding to cellulosic fibres. Electrostatic potential plotted onto a total electron density isosurface Adsorption isotherms were constructed by analysis of the residual baths following application of PHMB to cellulose. At low concentrations these were typical of Langmuir adsorption, but at higher concentrations were more indicative of Freundlich adsorption isotherms. This was attributed to a combination of electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding forces, which endorsed computational chemistry proposals. At lower concentrations electrostatic interactions between PHMB and carboxylic acid groups in the cellulose dominate with a contribution to binding through hydrogen-bonding; as concentration of PHMB increases, hydrogen-bonding with cellulose becomes increasingly dominant. At high PHMB concentrations observations of increasing PHMB sorption are attributed to mono-layer aggregation and multi-layer stacking of PHMB through electrostatic interactions with counter-ions and hydrogen-bonding of biguanide groups. Publications: R.S. Blackburn, A. Harvey, L.L. Kettle, J.D. Payne, S.J. Russell. Sorption of poly(hexamethylbiguanide) on cellulose: Mechanism of binding and molecular recognition. Langmuir, 2006, 22, 5636. R.S. Blackburn, A. Harvey, L.L. Kettle, J.D. Payne, S.J. Russell. (2004) Sorption of poly(hexamethyl biguanide) on cellulose: Mechanism of binding and molecular recognition. Polymer Preprints (American Chemical Society, Division of Polymer Chemistry), 2004, 45 (2), 606.
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Viyada Harncharna sms5vh@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Transmission Electron Microscopy Analysis of Magnetic Tunnel Junctions Nanostructures and interfaces are crucial for spin dependent tunneling (SDT) or tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) in magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ). A MTJ with a large TMR value is a significant candidate for magnetic random access memory (MRAM) application and the next generation of magnetic sensors. My project aims to study the crystallization of the active tunneling layers of MTJs: ferromagnetic electrodes and an insulating barrier layer, and to investigate a role of nanostructure crystallography on TMR ratio. I mainly concern with the characterization using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with in-situ techniques; imaging, selective area electron diffraction pattern (SAED), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS), and energy filter TEM (EFTEM). This project is a collaboration between the School of Physics and Astronomy (MTJs Fabrication using DC-rf magnetron sputtering) and the Institute for Materials Research (TEM characterization), at the University of Leeds.
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Andrew Hewitt
a.d.hewitt03@leeds.ac.uk Improved understanding of the fundamentals of dye adsorption in direct and disperse systems for hydroentangled nonwoven fabrics. Differences in dye uptake are most pronounced as dye concentration increases and higher equilibrium dye adsorption in HE fabrics is reflected by increased colour strength (K/S) for a given dye solution concentration, compared to woven and knitted fabrics. Differences between the adsorption behaviour of woven and knitted fabrics are observed to be small; in contrast to the HE fabrics. The pseudo-first-order equation is:
where qt is the amount of adsorbate adsorbed at time t (mg g-1), qe is the adsorption capacity at equilibrium (mg g-1), kf is the rate constant (s-1), and t is the time (s). After definite integration the equation becomes:
The pseudo-second-order model can be represented in the following form.
where kS is the rate constant (g mg-1 s-1). After integration the following form of the equation can be obtained:
The initial sorption rate, h (mg g-1 s-1), as t→0 can be defined as:
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Jane Howroyd j.howroyd03@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Water and Solvent-free Cleaning of Textile Materials - Substitution of Aqueous and Solvent Based Cleaning Methods for Textiles With the move in recent years to conserve resources and offer environmentally preferable alternatives to traditional solvent-based cleaning methods, the development of alternative technologies to meet these requirements have occurred. An alternative cleaning system has been demonstrated. Current work is focused on the mechanism by which the system operates and has led to a patent application. |
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Aqil Inam pmai@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Graphitisation of Carbon Steels to Improve Machinability The free cutting steels in practice are difficult to produce and recycle because of their alloying with Toxic elements. Graphitisation in carbon steels is an alternative technique to produce free cutting steels and is so far not commercially adopted because of the long annealing heat-treatment. The objective of this study is to develop a steel of a particular composition having good graphitisation potential, hardenability and machinability. The characterisation techniques used in this study are Light Optical Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, EDX analysis and EBSD. |
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Mehrdad Irannejad pm07mi@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Thin film laser and amplifiers integrated device by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) High broadband medium for high speed telecommunication and low cost signal amplification device are the research areas that have sparked the most interest in recent decades. This research investigates the erbium doped phospho-tellurite thin film by excimer and femtosecond PLD technique and fabrication of active channel wavguide by reactive ion etching (RIE) for the lasing and signal amplification process. In addition, passive waveguides are fabricated by deposition of undoped phospho-tellurite glass. A GaAs wafer with a few micron silicon buffer layers is used as a PLD substrate to avoid any signal leakage into the GaAs. In final stage quantum dot laser device will be used for thin film waveguide fabrication to produce an integrated amplifiers device. |
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Craig James pre2cwj@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Laser Transfer Processing and Characterisation of Ferroelectric Films Working on the transfer of ferroelectric materials from high temperature growth substrates, to end use substrates suitable for use in the electronics industry, utilising a laser transfer process. Analysis is completed with a range of techniques including XRD, SEM, TEM Analysis
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Eunjoo Koh e.j.koh03@leeds.ac.uk To develop structure-property relationships in water jet entangled wipe fabrics operating in dry and wet conditions. The research is concerned with the mechanisms of particle removal in wipes and the influence of fabric microstructure on particle removal and retention. Selective particle size removal has been observed from known particle size distributions, which is influenced by local variations in fabric density and the dynamic conditions involved during the wipe cycle. Relationships are being developed between the pore size distribution, free surface area and particle size collection. The dynamic wiping capacity is also being studied. Mechanistically, there are differences between the dry and wet wipe regimes and these are being quantified and explained in terms of the physical interaction between the particles, fluid and fibre surfaces within the fabric. |
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Nandan Kumar Research Interest: Atmospheric Temperature Disperse Dyeing of PET A one bath, two stage, polyvinyl alcohol based treatment for disperse dyed PET that utilizes a complex to insolubilise the polyvinyl alcohol, has been developed enabling K/S and wet fastness values at 98˚C to be comparable with those obtained conventionally at 130˚C. |
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Umesh Lad preul@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Development of a Planar Enzyme Based Creatinine Biosensor for the Application in Health Care An electrochemical biosensor is defined by IUPAC as "a self-contained integrated device, which is capable of providing specific quantitative or semi-quantitative analytical information using a biological recognition element (biochemical receptor) which is retained in direct spatial contact with an electrochemical transduction element". In this project enzyme based electrochemical sensors for the detection of glucose and creatinine are studied using techniques such as cyclic voltammetry and amperometry to measure current response form the physical change accompanying the interaction with the target analyte. |
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Ian McCarthy sms5inm@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Raney Nickel via Close-coupled Gas Atomisation: Atomiser Dynamics |
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Shahed Motaman pmsmo@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Physical Modelling and Simulation of Materials Processing Techniques, Especially Water Spray Atomisation, Spray Characterisation and Their Formation, Powder Metallurgy Close-coupled gas atomisation is a technique widely used for the production of fine metal powders by the disruption of a molten metal stream via impinging high pressure gas jets. Due to the complex nature of the physical interaction between the gas jets and the melt stream, simulating of this process with water spray atomisation and visualising the flow pattern of gas flow with Schlieren technique and high speed imaging are very useful methods for better understanding of close-coupled gas atomisation. |
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Matthew Murray sm06mm@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Rare-earth Ion Activated Silicon Nanocrystals for Photovoltaic Application This research investigates the effects of rare earth doping of nanocrystalline Silicon, fabricated by femtosecond-Pulsed laser Deposition (PLD) for photovoltaic application. The fabricated thin films shall be characterised in terms of their structural, optical and electrical properties through a multitude of analytical techniques. |
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Meghdad Palizdar ml07m2p@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Lead Based and Lead Free Ferroelectric Materials: Synthesis, Piezoelectric and Ferromagnetic Properties and Characterisation The solid solution between bismuth ferrite which is a multiferroic material that exhibits antiferromagnetic and ferroelectric properties at room temperature and lead titanate which is one of the most piezoelectric materials (xBiFeO3-(1-x)PbTiO3 or BFPT) possesses a morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). Producing ceramics with crystallographic texture to allow the optimum alignment between the field and preferred crystal directions in a polycrystalline system is more desired these days. Templated grain growth (TGG), which is the best method to have textured material, utilizes an oriented template as a seed to regulate preferred directional growth within a polycrystalline matrix. |
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Yahya Palizdar preyp@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Nanocharacterisation of Aluminium Added Steels The study of the effect of aluminium on the mechanical and structural properties of steel from a nanoscale perspective. Metallographic and advanced characterization techniques (SEM, TEM, STEM, AES, SIMS, EBSD) techniques will be used to investigate the location and chemistry of aluminium in the steel. Use will be made of the UK SuperSTEM facility at the Daresbury Laboratories. This is the world’s leading aberration corrected STEM offering unique imaging and analysis on the sub-Å scale
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Achilles Pliakas
ccd5ap@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Nanotechnology for Multifunctional Sportswear Fabrics Fabric assemblies with moisture repellency and active cooling functionality. Hydrophobicity is being enhanced by SF6 plasma treatment in combination with the grafting of PNIPAM ( poly(N-isopropylacrymide). Treatments with fluorocarbon gas plasmas such as C3F6 (hexafluoropropene) and CF4 (tetrafluoromethane) are being studied to modify the surface energy. -Shishoo, Roshan L., 2007, Plasma Technologies for Textiles, Textile Institute |
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Sayyed Adam Qaisar sm06saq@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: High Temperature Piezoelectric Ceramic Materials for Aerospace Applications Technologies for fuel injection, specifically the recent development of direct- and common-rail injection for internal combustion engines has led to a new era in cleaner, more efficient and more powerful automotive power plants. This revolution in automotive fuel control systems has led to the conventional hydraulic or mechanical actuators. The main subject of this research is the identification and further development of a piezoelectric material for actuation applications in an aerospace environment, specifically that of a turbofan fuel injector. During the course of the research various aspects of piezoelectricy, piezoelectric materials, failure mechanisms and material lifespan will be investigated. |
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Mohsin Ali Raza pmmar@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Carbon Nanomaterials, Thermal Interface Materials, Polymer Composites The ability to manage device-generated heat is now the key constraint on improving the performance and reliability in electronics. Key characteristics of thermal interface materials (‘TIMS’), used in electronics systems to carry waste heat from once surface to another, include high thermal conductivity, adhesion, spreadability, ease of application, stability and long-term reliability. Carbon nanotubes and nanofibers offer very high thermal conductivities and, combined with their anisotropic properties, are very attractive for directional heat transfer when used as fillers in polymer-matrix TIM composites. Other low-cost carbon nanomaterials filler options include nanographite particles, graphite nano-cones and carbon blacks. The aim of this project will be to gain a better understanding of the factors that determine the effectiveness of heat transport in TIM composite materials with thermally-conductive carbon fillers. The project will select appropriate matrix and filler systems and investigate compounding methods to achieve good filler dispersion and degree of orientation. Measurement of composite electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity and its dependence on pressure and, possibly temperature, may provide convenient indicator of thermal transport behavior. This will be related to composite microstructure and other properties, as assessed via optical and electron microscopy and diffractometry. The composites will also be characterized for their mechanical (compressive, shear and/or tensile) properties. Ultimately, the most promising systems may be chosen for comparison with existing commercial TIMs in an application-related demonstrator. |
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Adam Royles phy2a2r@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Fabrication and Characterisation of Lead-free Piezoelectric Ceramics For over 50 years Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT) has remained at the forefront of piezoelectric, ferroelectric materials. PZT generally displays a high piezoelectric constant, remnant polarisation and low coercive field. When PZT is processed, there is an evaporation of toxic lead-oxide into the atmosphere which has caused environmental concerns. Because of this there is an increasing push to develop a suitable alternative that has electrical characteristics approaching or even bettering PZT. Sodium Bismuth Titanate (NBT) is a promising perovskite material that has a high Curie temperature and remnant polarisation. This material, when modified with Potassium Bismuth Titanate (KBT) could prove to be a material that displays electrical properties similar to that of PZT. A wide range of electrical characterisation as well as SEM and TEM will be employed in an effort to refine the processing conditions and ultimately improve the properties of lead-free ceramics. |
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Che Seabourne chmcrs@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: EELS Modelling Our work is primarily based on the simulation of electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) using plane-wave density functional theory (DFT) based codes; mainly Wien2k, an all-electron code or CASTEP, a pseudopotential code. I am hoping to apply these codes to a wide range of systems, and better understand the effect of core holes on such calculations.
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Thomas Skidmore pre2tas@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Fabrication and Characterisation of Lead-free Piezoelectric Ceramics To fabricate and characterise alkali niobate-based piezoelectric ceramics, and compare their performance to that of other lead-free ceramic systems. Research is focused on the loss of volatile oxides during high temperature work in an attempt to control the electrical properties of alkali niobate ceramics. Parallel work has focused on orientating conventional polycrystalline materials in order to achieve properties similar to those displayed by single crystal materials. Using anisotropic crystals grown by a molten salt synthesis technique, these orientated particles can potentially be further aligned using a shearing technique to produce aligned polycrystalline materials.
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Katy Stevens
k.stevens01@leeds.ac.uk To identify the critical performance criteria in terms of fabrics, finishes and linings for optimal thermophysiological comfort in soft shell clothing. |
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Timothy Stevenson pre1tjs@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Multiferroic properties of Bismuth Ferrite Based Ceramics Materials which exhibit both ferroelectric and magnetic properties are termed multiferroic. This suggests a coupling through the atomic structure between both electric and magnetic polarisation mechanics. These materials have massive implications for future applications, such as non volatile data storage, which can be read and/or written by magnetic or electric means. Magnetoelectric multiferroic materials do not readily exist in nature, and even more scarcely, exhibit these properties above room temperature. Bismuth ferrite lead titanate however is a high temperature ferroelectric, with a spontaneous anti-ferromagnetic moment above room temperature, and is therefore of much interest.
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Gareth Vaughan pmgmv@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest:
Analytical Electron Microscopy and Characterisation of Nano-particles Ferritin is a major iron storage molecule which acts as a reservoir for excess iron, storing it in a non-toxic form. Without Ferritin (and several other dedicated proteins and chelating molecules) the oxygen rich environments of biological systems would result in the formation of insoluble iron oxides, rendering this iron inaccessible. The Ferritin molecule is known to consist of a spherical protein shell (~12nm in diameter) which forms a central cavity (~6nm in diameter) within which iron is stored as an oxyhydroxide core with a structure similar to that of the nano-crystalline mineral Ferrihydrite. It is known that the iron rich mineral cores of Ferritins have varying amounts of phosphorous incorporated into their structure. I am currently applying analytical electron microscopy to the investigation of the exact position and co-ordination of phosphorous and iron in a series of synthetic phosphorous-doped Ferrihydrite samples. In particular I am looking to apply low electron fluence electron energy loss spectroscopy to these samples in order to be able to observe them in as near pristine state as possible. This work is an experimental precursor to work to be done on Ferritin mineral cores. |
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Qari Waheed mn08mqmk@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Ultra High Temperature Steam Gasification of Biomass and Solid Waste The research concerns the ultra-high steam gasification of waste materials to produce hydrogen. A bench scale two-stage pyrolysis-catalytic steam reactor will be designed and built. Pyrolysis gases produced from the first stage pyrolysis reactor will be characterised in terms of process conditions the product pyrolysis gases will then be passed into the 2nd stage catalytic steam reactor at ultra high temperature of 1000-1250 degree centigrade. The product gases will be characterised with the aim of optimising the production of hydrogen for potential use in fuel cells and engines. The influence of waste feedstock types, temperature, heating rate, residence time as process conditions will be investigated. The solid, gaseous and liquid products from the process will be analysed using GC, GCMS and FTIRS etc.. |
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Rachel Wallace sm06rw@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: ZnO Nanoparticle Toxicity My project is part of a European Union Project called ENNSATOX (Engineered Nanoparticle Impact on Aquatic Environments: Structure, Activity and Toxicology). The use of engineered nanoparticles in commercial applications such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and sensors has increased dramatically over the last 10 years. Research into the environmental impact of these materials, particularly in aquatic systems, is at an early stage. My research is intended to assess the potential toxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles. The structure and functionality of well characterised engineered ZnO nanoparticles will be related to their biological activity in environmental aquatic systems. By evaluating this relationship, predictive models can be developed which can be deployed for statutory controls of nanoparticle use. The project will involve characterisation of commercial samples of ZnO as well as experimental synthesis and characterisation of ZnO powders. Characterisation techniques will include transmission and scanning electron microscope, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements on dispersions and X-ray diffraction. |
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Zihua Wang pmzw@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Materials Synthesis and Design My research project will involve synthesis of novel compositions of electrode materials for both cathode and anode and also the synthesis of solid electrolyte compositions based on stabilised zirconia and ceria. Fine powders of electrode and electrolyte materials will be prepared by novel sol-gel routes. Once this has been successfully carried out, SOFC single cell or tubular cell will be manufactured and the electrochemical measurements will be performed in different gas environments as a function of temperature. |
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Rozita Yahaya | |
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Xiaoli Ye prexy@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Phase-field Modelling of Ni-Al Intermetallics Solidification This research project is concerned with developing computer simulations for the formation of microstructure during the solidification of liquid metals using the phase - field technique. In particular, models are developed which can predict the thermodynamically correct solidification behaviour of materials with a well defined stoichiometric composition such as intermetallics, thus extending the capability of current models which are limited to solid phases which are continuous solid-solutions. The model is used to compare the reaction rates in two types of peritectic solidification, the first being that both reactant and product are continuous solid-solutions and the second being reactant and/or product have a well defined stoichiometry. |
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| Wei Zhang w.zhang03@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Nanoscale Functional Composites in Bending Sensors Manufacture of bending angle sensors. The resistivity of composite structures containing silica has been studied. When the weight ratio of silica to carbon black is around 0.6:1, relatively low resistivity can be desirable. Excessive silica loading leads to high resistivity. The plot of Log conductivity versus carbon black loading illustrates a remarkable increase in conductivity when the carbon black loading is increased from 14 phr to 24phr, indicating the generation of conductive networks throughout the coatings. In this region a relatively small increase in filler loading produces a large increase in conductivity. When the quantity of carbon black is low (< 14 phr), the resistivity of the coating is only slightly different from that of the base polymer. Further increasing the filler loading beyond the critical concentration region (>24 phr) causes marginal change in the conductivity of the coatings.
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Zhangxiang Zhao pmzxz@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Pulsed Laser Deposition of Glass Thin film Using Excimer Laser Research focuses on tellurite glass thin film fabrication using an excimer laser by first making a high quality glass with proper composition and then using the glass as a target to make a thin film. Measurements will be made of the optical properties, structures and surface flatness of these thin films. The high quality thin films can then be used to make waveguides and any other optical devices. |
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Fangyuan Zhu pmfyz@leeds.ac.uk Research Interest: Lead-free Piezoelectric Ceramics and its Applications Try to find out the environment friendly piezoelectric ceramic to replace the PZT which dominant the market for 50 year. Research focus on fabricating and characterizing alkali niobate-based piezoelectric ceramics, and compare their performance to that of other lead-free ceramic systems by doping some promising additives as Lithium Tantalite, Bismuth Scandate. Project will carry on the simple applications by using the best lead free candidate, such as buzzer. Parallel work will investigate the phase diagram of alkali niobate system.
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