PhD student, 2015 intake

Research: Biological inspiration air-coupled transducer

University: Strathclyde

Sponsor: University of Strathclyde

Background: Undergraduate in Electronic and Electrical Engineering, North China Electricity Power University (NCEPU) in China from 2011 to 2013 and University of Strathclyde from 2013 to 2015.

This PhD project seeks to use biological inspiration as a mechanism for improving ultrasonic air-coupled transducers, in particular aiming to achieve quantifiable improvements in sensitivity and dynamic range. The project will concentrate on insect models for inspiration, and primarily aims to investigate routes to improve single element transducers. The project will focus on the three dimensional structural design, and the associated materials used (and their properties), in tympanal insect ears that show high sensitivity and/or dynamic range. The project will take a multi-disciplinary approach, such that the student will consider both the engineering and biological background, and utilise methods and techniques relevant to different disciplines as appropriate. Preliminary experimental trials of the NDE inspection performance of these new bio-inspired ultrasonic transducers will be conducted using a robotic delivery system and initially, focus on improved inspection of composite materials. The project will be iterative, with new findings feeding directly back into the engineering design process, working towards the ultimate goal of developing new ultrasonic transducers with enhanced sensitivity and dynamic range.