Information on IMPaCT’s current students can be found in this section, the CDT currently has 4 cohorts and is preparing for its 5th cohort to start in September 2018.

Below is an overview of each co-hort. If you want to find more information about a specific student you can do so by clicking on their name within the cohort lists.

At the end of September 2018, the CDT will have its first cohort of students submitting.

Academic Year 2014/15 Cohort

 Name  University  Status
 Adam Allen  Leicester  Current
 Lisa Blanchard  Leicester  Current
 Stefano Cadematori  Birmingham  Current
 Marc-Antony Coster  Leicester  Current
 Rachel Jennings  Birmingham  Current
 Tatiana Mukinay  Birmingham  Current
 Alistair Speidel  Nottingham  Current
 Dimitrios Statharas  Leicester  Current
 Stephen Viles  Leicester  Current
 Elliot Walters  Birmingham  Current
 Wen Wu  Nottingham  Current

Academic Year 2015/16 Cohort

 Name  University  Status
 Behnam Dashtbozorg  Birmingham  Current
 Timothy Devenport  Leicester  Current
 Andrew Douglas  Leicester  Current
 Ishan Fernando  Leicester  Current
 Ikra Khan  Birmingham  Current
 Yana Liang  Birmingham  Current
 Yaroslav Rae  Nottingham  Current
 Wayne Smith  Leicester  Current
 Michael Walker  Leicester  Current
 Ruiyao Zhang  Leicester  Current

Academic Year 2016/17 Cohort

 Name  University  Status
 James Alexander  Birmingham  Current
 Shuo Feng  Leicester  Current
 Rosa Grinon Echaniz  Leicester  Current
 Michael Johnson  Birmingham  Current
 Julija Kazakeviciute  Nottingham  Current
 Bogdan Nenchev  Leicester  Current
 Matthew Rowson
 Nottingham  Current
 Gareth Sheppard  Leicester  Current
 Joel Strickland  Leicester  Current
 Berenika Syrek-Gersenkorn  Birmingham  Current
 Karl Tassenberg  Leicester  Current

Academic Year 2017/18 Cohort

 Name  University  Status
 Ivan Bisterov  Nottingham  Current
 Venkat Ghantasala  Leicester  Current
 Yingdi Feng  Birmingham  Current
 Craig Melton  Leicester  Current
 Samira Moghadam Arya  Birmingham  Current
 Kyle Nicholls  Leicester  Current
 Alessandro Sergi  Birmingham  Current
 Daniel Tejero Martin  Nottingham  Current
 Nicholas Watts  Leicester  Current
 Eddie Wilson-Hebben  Birmingham  Current

Academic Year 2018/19 Cohort

 Name  University  Status
Joel Best Leicester
Chang Che Birmingham
Christian Chiadikobi Leicester
Timothy Cooper Nottingham
John Harrison Birmingham
William Hillman Birmingham
Adamantini Loukodimou Leicester
Mohammed Malik Birmingham
Samuel Perry Leicester
Zihan Song Birmingham
Emma Young Birmingham
Junguo Zhao Leicester

James Alexander

My Undergrad degree was at the University of Birmingham, UK, studying Biomedical Materials Science (BMedSci).

I am researching surface multifunctionalisation of metallic biomaterials for body implants and medical tools at the University of Birmingham.

I hope this work will aid in improving patient implant survival, reducing the stress on both the patients and the NHS.

 Start Date  September 2016
 Host Institution  University of Birmingham

Adam Allen

In 2013 I completed my MChem degree in Chemistry from the University of Leicester with upper second-class honours.

I am now pursuing a PhD in engineering with the IMPaCT Centre in order to expand and broaden my skills. My current investigation is in the engineering niobium silicides for high temperature applications, in collaboration with Rolls Royce.

Due to their high temperature capability, stiffness and low density when compared to nickel-base superalloys, It is hoped that my research will open up new opportunities for these compounds as candidates for use in future gas-turbine engines.

 Start Date  September 2014
 Host Institution  University of Leicester
 Industrial Partner  Rolls Royce

Ivan Bisterov

I graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2017 with an MEng in Mechanical Engineering.

I am currently based at the University of Nottingham where my work is focused on modification and functionalisation of metal surfaces via electrochemical jet processing.

I hope that my research will help mature this technique for industrial applications and hence provide low-cost surface engineering capability for high-value components in the aerospace and biomedical industries.

Start Date  September 2017
Host Institution University of Nottingham

Lisa Blanchard

I obtained my master degree in Material Engineering from the engineering school of Phelma-Grenoble INP in France in September 2014.

Following my final year Masters project with The Welding Institute (TWI), I decided to pursue a PhD with IMPaCT in collaboration with TWI. I am now studying the effect of microstructure and cold creep on hydrogen embrittlement of (super)duplex stainless steel.

I hope that my research will help to understand the complex deformation mechanism of duplex stainless steel which appears in subsea environments.

 Start Date  September 2014
 Host Institution  University of Leicester
 Industrial Partner  TWI

Stefano Cadematori

I obtained a first class MEng degree in Material Science and Engineering from Genoa University, Italy.

I am now pursuing a PhD in the IMPaCT Centre. I am currently developing a numerical method for modelling ceramic injection, in collaboration with Doncasters Group.

It is hoped that my research will enable optimization of investment casting parameters for the production of aerospace and industrial gas turbine blades.

 Start Date  September 2014
 Host Institution  University of Birmingham
 Industrial Partner  Doncasters

Chang Che

Having previously studied for an MSc at the University of Birmingham, I am now studying at the University of Birmingham.

As part of the IMPaCT CDT i will be looking at Joining aluminium allows and thermoplastics. This project seeks to optimise the bond strength of joins between thermoplastic composites and aluminium.

The project will utilise electron microscopy to characterise the surfaces of the materials and mechanical testing to evaluate the bond strength.

 Start Date  November 2018
 Host Institution  University of Birmingham

Marc-Antony Coster

I graduated with a 2.1 Bsc in Physics from Loughborough University in 2011.

I am now pursuing a PhD at the IMPaCT Center investigating stress relaxation in nickel-based superalloy springs, for use in power plants in collaboration with Alstom.

This will allow better prediction and design of said springs for extended life at high operating temperatures.

 Start Date  September 2014
 Host Institution  University of Leicester
 Industrial Partner  Alstom

Timothy Cooper

I graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2018 with an MEng in Mechanical Engineering, and continued at the University to start on the IMPaCT scheme in September 2018.

 I am working in conjunction with Oerlikon Balzers to investigate coating methodologies for additive manufacturing, using Physical and Chemical Vapour Deposition (PVD, CVD) and surface modification with Electron Beams. This will improve understanding of the surface modification of AM parts before and after existing process steps. The focus will be on improving performance (thermal, mechanical, corrosion) and manufacturing processes for the tooling sector.

 Start Date  September 2018
 Host Institution  University of Nottingham
 Industrial Partner  Oerlikon Balzers

Behnam Dashtbozorg

I graduated with a 2.1 degree in Biomedical Material Science (BMedSc) from the University of Birmingham in 2014.

I am now working towards my PhD in the IMPaCT Doctoral Training Centre under the supervision of Professor Hanshan Dong. My project is focussed on the development and characterisation of novel long lasting antibacterial stainless steel surfaces using plasma surface treatment approaches.

The hope is that this research can help to reduce contamination related to industrially manufactured foods as well as potentially finding applications in the medical industry.

 Start Date  September 2015
 Host Institution  University of Birmingham

Timothy Devenport

I graduated from the University of Leicester in 2012, with a 2.2 in Physics and immediately commenced an MSc in Advanced Engineering also at the University of Leicester, which I completed with Merit in 2013. Following this MSc I studied for an MPhil in Tribological Studies of Artificial sports pitches, which I received during my 1st year of the IMPaCT CDT PhD.

I am currently studying for a PhD under the supervision of Prof Sarah Hainsworth researching honeycomb seal development for high temperature steam turbine applications, using a bespoke MOIST rig, with industrial support from Alstom Power/GE.

I hope improve the efficiency of steam turbines by reducing the secondary flows around the turbine blades within the turbine with this research.

 Start Date  September 2015
 Host Institution  University of Leicester
 Industrial Partner  Alstom

Andrew Douglas

In 2015 I graduated from the University of Leicester with a 2:1 in Chemistry with forensic science. This was an integrated masters degree with a year-long industrial placement spent at GlaxoSmithKline.

My interest in materials led me to apply for a PhD position with IMPaCT where I now study. My current research is on improvement of niobium silicide-based alloys along with Adam. Current niobium silicide alloys show poor oxidation resistance at med-high temperatures. My project will focus on improving this without excessive detriment to other properties.

With current alloys used in the turbine blades of gas-turbine engines reaching the limit of their temperature capability a new material is needed. Niobium silicide alloys are a potential candidate to replace superalloys in this role. Further alloy development will be needed for this material to fulfil its potential. This study hopes to contribute significantly to that development.

 Start Date  September 2015
 Host Institution  University of Leicester
 Industrial Partner  Rolls Royce

Shuo Feng

I obtained a master’s degree in Materials Physics & Chemistry from Central Iron & Steel Research Institute (CISRI) in China.

I am pursuing a PhD in the IMPaCT Centre based at the University of Leicester.  My research is on  hot cracking in superalloys and Nb-silicide in-situ composites.

I hope my work  will result in deeper understanding of the mechanism of hot cracking.

 Start Date  September 2016
 Host Institution  University of Leicester

Yingdi Feng

I graduated form University of Birmingham with Master degree in Material Science and Engineering at 2016.

I am pursuing my PhD based at University of Birmingham with IMPaCT CDT centre studying into graphene coating on stainless steels.

This research will discover the feasibility of graphene coating on stainless steel surface by electronic and non-electronic technologies to improve corrosion and tribological properties of stainless steels.

 Start Date  January 2018
 Host Institution  University of Birmingham

Ishan Fernando

I am an engineering graduate from university of Leicester.

My primary research is focused on damage development in additive manufacturing of high performance materials (hot cracking in Niobium silicide), NbSi is an alloy that could potentially replace nickel-base superalloys in the aerospace industry showing good properties such as high temperature strength, and a lower density compared to nickel-base superalloys.

I am currently working on developing our own niobium silicide database in order to figure out a base composition for the alloy and i hope that my research will enable us to understand the cracking mechanism during the solidification process.

 Start Date  November 2015
 Host Institution  University of Leicester

Venkat Ghantasala

I graduated with Master’s in Physics from the University of Madras, India. I joined the IMPaCT programme from January 2018 for my PhD under the supervision of Professor Jingzhe Pan.

I am currently based at Leicester as my host institute and would be researching on how to improve and understand the mechanical properties during additive manufacturing. Through this PhD I wish to develop a unique numerical method for full scale computer simulation of temporal and spatial variations of temperature, stress and distortion during build using powder bed fusion. The method will enable manufactures to run these simulations from STL file and G-code before a critical part is printed. The processing parameters can be optimised to ensure property repeatability and to avoid thermal cracking and excessive distortion.

 Start Date  January 2018
 Host Institution  University of Leicester

Rosa Grinon Enchaniz

In 2015 I completed my bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, followed by a Msc in Nanotechnology in 2016,both at the University of Zaragoza in Spain.

I am now pursuing a PhD at the IMPaCT Center, based in Leicester and in colaboration with TWI. My investigation aims to get a mechanistic approach to predicting the realistic long-term corrosion performance of coatings, since the “assurance of coatings” is one of the priorities for future development. Therefore, I hope the results obtained will help to understand how both existing and new coatings perform over long durations of time in their operating environment through short term-testing

 Start Date  November 2016
 Host Institution  University of Leicester
 Industrial Partner  TWI

Rachel Jennings

I graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2013 with a BSc in Sports and Materials Science.

I am currently pursuing a PhD through IMPaCT, in the AMPlab group at the University of Birmingham.

I am working in collaboration with IHI Corporation researching the implementation of additive manufacturing and powder processing, to create innovative processing routes for Ni-base superalloys. It is hoped that my research will increase the efficiency and productivity of additive manufacturing.

 Start Date  September 2014
 Host Institution  University of Birmingham
 Industrial Partner  IHI

Michael Johnson

I studied for an MEng in Nuclear engineering at the University of Birmingham and graduated in 2016.

I am now studying for a PhD with IMPaCT looking into modelling the oxidation of nickel based alloying systems based in Birmingham.

This research will help to increase the current understanding about oxidation of Nickel alloys, especially at the early stages of the oxidation process. Deeper insight into the oxidation process allows designing alloys with improved oxidation characteristics and better targeting alloys for specific applications.

 Start Date  September 2016
 Host Institution  University of Birmingham

Julija Kazakevicuite

Having gained a 1st studying at the University of Nottingham in MEng Mechanical Engineering.

Julija is now based at  the University of Nottingham within the IMPaCT CDT. Her research topic is developing a small specimen fatigue testing technique.

Julija hopes her  research with determine the remaining life of power plans would be cheaper and easier.

 Start Date  September 2016
 Host Institution  University of Nottingham

Ikra Khan

I obtained a Bachelor of Medical Science degree in Biomedical Materials Science from the University of Birmingham.

I am now pursuing a PhD in the IMPaCT centre. My PhD revolves around generating surfaces on Commercially Pure Titanium that will provide anti-bacterial properties as well as improved mechanical and physical properties. I am achieving this by creating patterns of the microscale as well as artificially created titanium oxide films either produced via CCT or with the use of a laser. This is all undertaken with the guidance of my supervisor Hanshan Dong.

It is hoped that these surfaces will reduce the risk of infection and ultimately failure in titanium related implants such as dental roots.

 Start Date  September 2015
 Host Institution  University of Birmingham

Yana Liang

I graduated with a master’s degree in Material Science from the University of Birmingham in 2015.

I am now working towards my PhD in the IMPaCT Doctoral Training Centre under the supervision of Professor Hanshan Dong. My project is focussed on the surface multi-functionalization of carbon nano fibers using active-screen plasma treatment.

The hope is that this work can help to enhance the fibre/matrix interfacial adhesion and the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) between the reinforcing fibres and the matrix in composites.

 Start Date  November 2015
 Host Institution  University of Birmingham

Adamantini Loukodimou

In 2016 I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry followed by a Master of Science degree in Synthetic Chemistry and Advanced Polymeric and Nanostructured Materials in 2018, both at the University of Patras in Greece.

Now, I am pursuing my PhD at the IMPaCT Centre. My host University is the University of Leicester and my industrial partner is The Welding Institute (TWI). I am currently investigating the Development of Self-Healing Coating Systems for Mitigating Corrosion of Offshore Wind Turbines. Offshore wind turbines are subjected to harsh environments and the use of protective coatings become indispensable.

It is hoped that my research will provide a cost-effective engineering solution to corrosion and related problems.

 Start Date  September 2018
 Host Institution  University of Leicester
 Industrial Partner  TWI

Craig Melton

I studied a M.Sc. in Corrosion Control Engineering at The University of Manchester in 2013 and have been working in the Oil and Gas industry as a Corrosion Engineer till now.

I am currently based at the University of Leicester and working with The Welding Institute to develop a Self Monitoring Coating System.

I am hoping that this work will streamline inspection regimes and reduce unplanned maintenance which in turn will reduce the cost of energy for all consumers.

 Start Date  September 2017
 Host Institution  University of Leicester
 Industrial Partner  TWI

Samira Moghadam Arya

I obtained my Masters degree in Computer Science with merit from the University of Birmingham in 2006. I am currently pursuing my PhD through the Impact Doctoral Training Centre at the University of Birmingham, under the supervision of Dr. William Griffiths and Professor Hanshan Dong.

My research involves understanding the formation of double oxide film defects and their behaviour in the liquid metal aluminium, particularly with the addition of molybdenum or tungsten, two elements recently discovered to be beneficial in this respect.

It is hoped that the research outcome could enable designers to utilise a reduced cross-sectional thickness of cast parts and reduce parts weight and costs.

To achieve this, I will be using various testing and characterisation techniques such as tensile testing, fracture surface examination using SEM and TEM, cryogenic milling, X-Ray Diffraction and Pore Gas Analysis to better understand the nature of the oxide film defects.

 Start Date  September 2017
 Host Institution  University of Birmingham

Tatiana Mukinay

I obtained an upper second class degree in Biomedical Material Science from the University of Birmingham.

I am now pursuing a PhD in the IMPaCT Centre. I am currently investigating the feasibility of generating Wear-Resistant Anti-bacterial Ti-6Al-4V surfaces by combining Ag, Cu or Zn pre-deposition with thermal oxidation with the guidance of my supervisor Hanshan Dong.

It is hoped that my research will enable reduce the need for orthopaedic revision surgery, which are caused by numerous reasons including wear and infection.

 Start Date  September 2014
 Host Institution  University of Birmingham

Bogdan Nenchev

I graduated from University of Leicester with a first class in General Engineering.

I am currently working towards my PhD in materials science with the IMPaCT centre based at the University of Leicester. My research is on modelling of casting defects and it is in collaboration with Doncasters and Sente software (JMatPro).

I am currently investigating hot cracking phenomena arising during the final stages of solidification. It is hoped that by developing a microstructural model of dendritic solidification coupled with shrinkage and thermal segregation would lead to better understanding of the process. The aim of my project is to determine the susceptibility of different alloys to casting defects using thermodynamic and kinetic information from a JMatPro database.

 Start Date  September 2016
 Host Institution  University of Leicester

Kyle Nicholls

I graduated from the University of Leicester in 2017 with a 2:1 MEng (Hons) degree in Mechanical Engineering.

I am now pursuing a PhD with the IMPaCT centre at the University of Leicester in investigating the influence of cryogenic processing parameters on the mechanical properties and wear performance of engineering materials.

The aim of my work is to understand the microstructural changes that occur during cryogenic heat treatments of metals and to further understand how this directly affects the mechanical properties the metals then exert.

 Start Date  September 2017
 Host Institution  University of Leicester

Yaroslav Rae

I obtained an upper second class MEng in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nottingham in 2011. After completing my degree I worked in industry for several years building up on my engineering experience.

I wanted to study further and IMPaCT doctoral centre was doing exactly the kind of things I was interested in. My PhD is about stress analysis and material damage characterisation of power plant components, it is done in close collaboration with RWE npower.

My research project aims to contribute to our knowledge of which material damage mechanisms are important for each type of component, and how they develop and interact over time. It will also help to maximise the life of components by identifying which performance characteristics have greatest impact, and how they can be modified economically to increase life

 Start Date  September 2015
 Host Institution  University of Nottingham
 Industrial Partner  RWE

Matthew Rowson

University of Nottingham, Mechanical Engineering, First Class.

My current project look at methods for experimentation and modelling of inertia friction welding at the University of Nottingham.

The work is contributing to gaining a better understanding of the inertia friction welding method.

 Start Date  September 2016
 Host Institution  University of Nottingham
 Industrial Partner  Rolls Royce

Alessandro Sergi

I obtained a first class master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at University of Calabria (Italy) in May 2017.

My PhD is based on Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) of nickel-based superalloys IN625 and IN738 for aerospace applications, in collaboration with TWI. The aim of my project is to link the HIP’s process parameters, such as temperature, pressure and holding time, with the mechanical properties of the material. Furthermore I am also developing a finite element model capable of predicting the relative density and exact final shape of HIPped components.

I hope that my research will contribute to produce components with improved mechanical properties in the aerospace industry.

 Start Date  January 2018
 Host Institution  University of Birmingham
 Industrial Partner  TWI

Gareth Sheppard

I graduated from The University of Leicester with a 2:1 in Mechanical Engineering (MEng) in 2016.

I am now studying a PhD in welding methods with IMPaCT at Leicester, I hope to be able to find new innovative methods to join metals together and to further existing methods.

 Start Date  September 2016
 Host Institution  University of Leicester

Wayne Smith

I completed a BSc and BEng (Hons) First Class with the Open University and then an MSc with Distinction in Structural Integrity at NSIRC/Brunel University in 2015.

I am now pursuing a PhD with IMPaCT and the University of Leicester investigating the effect of secondary factors on high temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA) in carbon and low alloy steels.

It is hoped my research will lead to better understanding and improve the prediction and management of the damage mechanism.

 Start Date  April 2016
 Host Institution  University of Leicester

Zihan Song

I completed a BEng in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sheffield in 2017 and a master’s degree in the Science, technology and engineering applications of advanced composites at Imperial College London was obtained in 2018.

I am currently undergoing a PhD with IMPaCT, based at University of Birmingham under the supervision of Dr Biao Cai, Professor Hanshan Dong and Dr Ales Leonardis, in the project of ‘4D Quantification of Fe-rich intermetallic in solidifying recycled Al alloys’.

The aims of this research are to study the formation mechanisms of intermetallic particles during solidification of recycled Al alloys in order to develop effective approaches to alleviate their detrimental effects.

 Start Date  November 2018
 Host Institution  University of Birmingham

Alistair Speidel

I obtained a first class MChem degree in chemistry from the University of Reading, graduating in 2014.

I am now pursuing a PhD at the IMPaCT centre where my project will involve work around Electrolyte Jet Machining.

I am currently based at the University of Nottingham, although the first year modules are split between this and the universities of Leicester and Birmingham.

It is hoped the development of this technique will reduce the cost of surface engineering whilst increasing and expanding its usage to many different applications.

 Start Date  September 2014
 Host Institution  University of Nottingham

Dimitrios Statharas

I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Piraeus University of Applied Sciences (T.E.I. of Piraeus).

During and after my studies for my degree I worked in the field of failure analysis, mainly on cold working tool steels. After my first degree I obtained a Master of Science degree in Advanced Industrial and Manufacturing Systems from the Kingston University of London.

I am now pursuing a PhD in the IMPaCT Centre based at the University of Leicester. I am currently investigating Experimental characterization of weld cracking susceptibility for advanced high strength steels, in collaboration with Tata Steel.

It is hoped that my research will lead to the Development of techniques and procedures for weld cracking susceptibility assessment, development of materials, welding processes and guidelines for increased weld cracking resistance and the development of advanced line pipe product for ultra-deep water applications (>3000m depth).

 Start Date  September 2014
 Host Institution  University of Leicester
 Industrial Partner  TATA Steel

Joel Strickland

I studied at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom and achieved a 1st Class Masters in Mechanical Engineering (with year in industry) (honours).

I am now studying single-crystal/investment casting of superalloys for aerospace and power generation applications. I am working in partnership with Rolls Royce, looking into the dendritic structure of solidified Ni-base alloys, particularly the primary arm spacing.

If successful, my work can help improve turbine strength, material temperature capability and reduce solution heat treatment time.  These advances in turbine design will help improve jet engine thermal efficiency, save up to an 1/8th of manufacturing cost and reduce C02 emissions.

 Start Date  September 2016
 Host Institution  University of Leicester
 Industrial Partner  Rolls Royce

Berenika Syrek-Gersenkorn

I have completed a MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering and Machine Design at Gdansk University of Technology in Poland and a MSc degree in Structural Integrity at Brunel University in London.

I am now pursuing a PhD programme in the IMPaCT Centre in collaboration with TWI. My host university is the University of Birmingham.
I am investigating the use of nanostructured coatings to mitigate corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement of high strength steels.

Since the cost of corrosion is extremely high, not only in terms of financial costs, but also in terms of lives lost due to catastrophic failures, new methods of corrosion mitigation must be intensively researched. My project will explore the use of novel, nanostructured materials to modify thermally sprayed aluminium (TSA) pore architecture and its corrosion behaviour in seawater. The ultimate aim is to understand the mechanism by which such coatings may protect high strength steels from corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement.
The project results could lead to generation of guidelines and standards for safe operation of high strength steels in offshore environments (such as mooring chains) by mitigating corrosion-initiated failures.

 Start Date  September 2016
 Host Institution  University of Birmingham
 Industrial Partner  TWI

Karl Tassenberg

I graduated with a Master’s degree in Physics with Nanoscience and Technology at the University of Leicester with a 2:1 (Higher).

I am currently doing a PhD with IMPaCT, based at the University of Leicester. I am studying Metal Matrix NanoComposites (MMNCs) in hopes of strengthening light metals, such as Aluminium.

If this research is successful, Aluminium could be strengthened and the range of applications in which such a cheap metal could be used for would increase. As such, it would decrease the cost of these products; which would be good in general.

 Start Date  September 2016
 Host Institution  University of Leicester

Daniel Tejero Martin

I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Physics at the Universidad Complutense of Madrid, Spain, followed by a master’s degree in Nanoscience at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. In my last year of MSc I had the chance to work on my thesis “Degradation of metals and coatings at high temperatures” at Haldor Topsøe A/S, which sparked my interest on coatings and surface protection. With that aim in mind, I am currently pursuing my PhD through the IMPaCT Doctoral Training Centre at the University Of Nottingham, under the supervision of Dr. Tanvir Hussain.

The need for more efficient and environmental-friendly gas turbine engines has always been the driving force for the increase of operating gas temperatures. To accommodate such conditions, novel materials that can withstand high temperatures, mechanical stresses and corrosion attach are being explored. A promising group of materials are Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) which possess the required toughness and creep resistance. To prevent the development of undesired corrosion-related species, Environmental Barrier Coatings (EBCs) are being applied.

The aim of this project is to develop, characterise and test EBCs produced through the use of novel thermal spraying deposition techniques, gaining a deeper understanding of the foundations. Two main techniques will be considered, namely Suspension High Velocity Oxy-Fuel (SHVOF) and Suspension Atmospheric Plasma Spraying (SPS).

 Start Date  January 2018
 Host Institution  University of Nottingham

Stephen Viles

I obtained a first class MChem degree in Chemistry from the University of Leicester and I am now pursuing a PhD in the IMPaCT Centre.

I am currently investigating the electrodeposition of nickel and cobalt at the University of Leicester.

It is hoped that my research will result in sustainable methods for nickel and cobalt electrodeposition.

 Start Date  September 2014
 Host Institution  University of Leicester

Michael Walker

I obtained a first class master MPhys degree in physics from the University of Leicester in 2015. I am now pursuing a PhD in material science with the IMPaCT centre.

I am researching cold spray additive manufacturing with nanostructured multicomponent equi-molar materials (MEMs) in collaboration with The Welding Institute (TWI).

The aim of this research is to further understand the cold spray process by investigating the effect of process and material parameters on the coatings and the behaviour of cold sprayed MEMs. Powder production and properties of MEMs are to be explored to observe the potential changes from bulk material to coatings. A significant area of research is the study of individual cold sprayed particles which have bonded to the surface, named splats. These provide information on the microstructural behaviour of the powdered materials after impact, which can provide insight into the bonding mechanisms in cold spray.

 Start Date  September 2015
 Host Institution  University of Leicester
 Industrial Partner  TWI

Elliot Walters

I obtained a high 2.1 class BSc degree in Sports and Materials Science from the University of Birmingham.

I am now pursuing a PhD in the IMPaCT Centre, based at the University of Birmingham.

I am currently investigating the study of the anti oking properties of a new centrifugally cast alloy for Ethylene cracker furnaces, in collaboration with Doncasters Group.

It is hoped that my research will extend the working life of ethylene cracker tube furnaces and reduce the frequency or eliminate costly coke removal processes.

 Start Date  September 2014
 Host Institution  University of Birmingham
Industrial Partner  Doncasters

Nicholas Watts

I graduated with a 2:1 (Hons) MEng, in mechanical engineering from the University of Leicester in 2017.

I am now based at the University of Leicester, with the IMPaCT CDT where my project is based on electrodeposited Cobalt Tungsten coatings and the links between deposition, composition, and nanostructure among other things.

 Start Date  September 2017
 Host Institution  University of Leicester

Eddie Wilson-Hebben

I am currently undergoing a PhD with IMPaCT, based at the University of Leicester. I am attempting to model the mechanisms of electrodeposition of metals, particularly metal alloys, with the addition of nanoparticles.

The goal of the work is to understand the process of electrodeposition better in order to customise the composition of metal-nanoparticle matrices used for surface coatings. This can then be used to choose the desired surface properties of such coatings, optimising them to be used in industry

 Start Date  September 2017
 Host Institution  University of Leicester

Wen Wu

I obtained a first class BEng degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nottingham.

I am now pursuing a PhD in the IMPaCT centre. My research project is ‘ determination of material properties of metals and coatings using inverse indentation techniques’.

It is hoped that this project will result in a powerful numerical tool that is capable of predicting the elastic-plastic material parameters of metal coatings from experimental indentation tests.

The techniques can also be extended to model material properties in welded regions.

 Start Date  September 2014
 Host Institution  University of Nottingham

Florentina Luiza Zavalan

Awaiting Information

 Start Date  January 2018
 Host Institution  University of Leicester

Ruiyao Zhang

I obtained an upper second class BSc degree in Optical Information Science and Technology from Sun Yat-Sen University in China.

I am pursuing a PhD in the IMPaCT Centre based at the University of Leicester. I am currently investigating residual stress evolution in superalloys during ageing heat treatment using neutron diffraction techniques at ENGIN-X in Appleton Rutherford Laboratory Oxford, UK.

Neutrons can penetrate deep into heavy materials and has become a powerful tool to measure residuals stress inside most engineering materials. It is hoped that my research will result in better assessment of residual stress of materials which are widely used in turbine engines.

 Start Date  November 2015
 Host Institution  University of Leicester
 Industrial Partner  STFC Facility