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.

Venkat Raghutej 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.

Yingdi Feng

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.

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.

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.

James Owen

Alessandro Sergi

Daniel Tejero Martín

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).

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.

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