Research

My research sits at the boundary between fundamental materials science and manufacturing technology, and increasingly data analytics. I investigate the interrelation between fundamental phenomena controlling structural evolution during manufacturing processes in order to improve materials performance, optimise processes to increase their sustainability, or scale-up new materials. My research focuses on tackling key metallurgical challenges in solidification science, crucial for the transition to more circular manufacturing practices. A fundamental aspect of my work has been the development of novel X-ray based characterisation techniques and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to study dynamic processes in-situ and operando.

The group research aims to address some of the most important materials science challenges to produce greener steel and metals for hydrogen storage and distribution, which are crucial for the UK net zero strategy.

AIXI - Artificial Intelligence X-ray Imaging

My vision is to develop a new generation of multi-modal X-ray imaging techniques, named Artificial Intelligence X-ray Imaging (AIXI). In parallel and with equal priority I will apply these tools as they become available to some of the most pressing and exciting opportunities in the phase transformations of materials. By combining tool development (detectors, rigs, AI) and solution-focused application (metallurgical processing, the hydrogen economy), which are usually undertaken by different disciplines, I will ensure that my approaches and analyses are quickly fit for use in real materials science problems. My goal is to address the fundamental issues that impede a broader utilisation of this powerful and rapidly evolving technique for in-situ and operando studies by embedding AI in the data acquisition procedure itself allowing for automation of data collection, control of the experimental
equipment for AI-driven experiments and analysis on-the-fly of the raw data.

Green metal manufacturing

Processing of Ni superalloys

Materials for Fission and Fusion Power

Materials for Fission and Fusion Power is a research cluster based in the Department of Materials, spanning many research groups and research specialisms. It concerns an integrated research approach to understand, at the microstructural level, the key structural integrity issues that underpin development and application of alloys for high temperature and high neutron flux environments typical of next generation fission and fusion reactors. Our role is to research the manufacture of oxide dispersion strengthened steels and copper alloys, and ultra-thick tungsten coatings for use in future fission and fusion power reactors. Key sponsors are the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE) and the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL).