Cohort 4 (2022)

Sonar technology is the primary imaging method used for underwater applications. Most of these systems rely on ultrasonic transducers, with the piezoelectric material being the main component for ultrasound generation and detection. Innovation in such materials is crucial for achieving further performance improvements in ultrasonic devices. My project’s goal is to explore the suitability of a high performance and novel class of piezoceramic material for use in the maritime environment.

The specific objectives are:
• Characterisation of novel piezoelectric materials under ambient conditions
• Collaborate with Engineers from Ultra-Maritime to identify methodology to characterise candidate material(s) under representative operational maritime conditions
• Characterise conventional piezoelectric material solutions, enabling direct comparison with novel piezoceramics
•Engineer a sonar prototype using the novel class of piezoceramics, demonstrating to TRL-5 at an Ultra-Maritime facility in either the UK or Canada
The project aims to collaborate with another FUSE project to prototype a sonar solution with integrated system-on-chip electronics.

Primary Supervisor (University of Glasgow): Prof. Sandy Cochran
Secondary Supervisor (University of Strathclyde): Dr. Richard O’Leary
Project External Partner: Ultra Maritime

Diabetes UK reported a significant (22.4%) rise in diabetes-related minor lower limb amputations in England, between 2015 and 2018. It is estimated that at least £1 in every £140 of NHS spending goes towards foot care for people with diabetes.
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) occurs due to a build-up of fatty deposits (atherosclerosis) within the lower extremity arteries, restricting blood flow and circulation, particularly to the feet. PAD is a major and increasing risk factor for diabetic patients, closely associated with lower extremity amputations.
Ultrasound contrast agents are suspensions of stabilised microbubbles, originally developed for intra-vascular injection to provide contrast during diagnostic ultrasound imaging.
In recent decades, research seeking to exploit contrast agent microbubbles as cavitation nuclei for interventional/therapeutic purposes, such as blood-clot dissolution for the treatment of Ischemic Stroke (sonothrombolysis), has intensified. The ultrasound stimulated microbubble oscillations (cavitation) are thought to microvascular obstructions and promote reperfusion.
My project will seek to develop cavitation-augmented perfusion for the treatment of PAD, that may ultimately be deployed and administered at home by the patient.

Key objectives include:
• Transducer design and fabrication for novel ultrasound exposure configurations.
• Development of in-vitro models for mechanistic investigation and parameter optimisation.
• Fabrication and testing of customised cavitation nuclei particles, including contrast agent microbubbles and acoustic vaporisation nanodroplets.
• Preliminary translational studies in small animal models for validation.

Primary Supervisor (University of Glasgow): Dr. Paul Prentice
Secondary Supervisor (University of Strathclyde): Dr. Andrew Reid
Project External Partner: Mindray

The overarching aim of my project is to transform automated decommissioning efficiency flexibility and costs, reducing risks on the Sellafield and other nuclear sites in a much shorter timeframe saving taxpayers and governments hundreds of millions of pounds. The core technical aim of this project is to investigate the potential for ultrasonic sensor-enabled feedforward and feedback control of the robotised laser cutting process to deliver optimum cut process parameters at all times, for safe, efficient, flexible, lower-cost decommissioning. My project will directly align with the Hot Robotics NNUF project involving the University of Bristol, University of Manchester and Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE) arm of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), specifically working alongside and on the new flexible robotic laser cutting cell being set up by NNL in Workington to progress future PhD outcomes to exploitation in the coming decade.

Primary Supervisor (University of Strathclyde): Prof. Charles Macleod
Secondary Supervisor (University of Glasgow): Dr. Paul Prentice
Project External Partner: National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL)

Combining longitudinal (L) and torsional (T) vibration motion is common in ultrasonic devices. The combined motion deliver LT vibrations at the output face or tip of the device. Examples of such devices that have been the basis of research programmes include ultrasonic drills for planetary exploration, ultrasonic needles for bone biopsy, and ultrasonic welding devices. Commercial examples include ultrasonic surgical shears and phacoemulsification devices.

In these examples, the transducer is based on a conventional Langevin configuration. There are then a number of different approaches to exciting the LT motion. One is through L-wave degeneration that creates a non-uniform section, by cutting and twisting a number of slots or a helix along the path of the L-wave such that part of the wave converts into a T wave whilst the remaining part propagates unchanged through the section. A second approach is to couple the L mode and a T mode by tuning the two modes to be excited in resonance at the same frequency. Another mode coupling approach additionally uses two set of piezoelectric elements, where one set generates L vibration whilst the second set generates T vibration.

LT devices can also be based on delivering LT motion in the transducer itself or, in the case of mode degeneration devices, by introducing the geometrical features in an ultrasonic horn attached to the output face of a conventional Langevin transducer. Where LT motion is delivered in the transducer itself, this can be via two sets of differently poled piezoelectric rings (one exciting L and the other exciting T motion) or by incorporating a helical or slotted structure in the front mass. In all cases, however, there is often little control of the torsionality of the device (defined as the ratio of tangential to axial vibrational displacement of the tip). There is also a commercialised phacoemulsification device that relies only on T mode vibrations of the tip.

A gap in current offerings is a switchable-mode transducer, where L and T motions can be excited independently in one device at the same resonance frequency. My project will explore a range of configurations that can deliver such a switchable-mode ultrasonic transducer, including through the incorporation of differently poled piezoceramic elements.

Key objectives include:
• A review of the currently available LT devices developed commercially or published in the literature
• Research the potential applications of a switchable-mode ultrasonic transducer
• Support the design and testing of torsional piezoelectric rings and investigate their incorporation into designs for a switchable-mode transducer
• Develop FEA models in OnScale to design potential configurations of a switchable-mode ultrasonic transducer and to simulate their performance
• Design, prototype, characterise and test a number of configurations with potential for controlled switchable responses, and validate the FEA models
• Establish a range of performance tests to indicate the most promising transducer

Primary Supervisor (University of Glasgow): Prof. Margaret Lucas
Secondary Supervisor (University of Strathclyde): Dr. Richard O’Leary
Project External Partner: CeramTec

Phased array technology has revolutionized the field of automated in-process welding and Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) inspection by enabling defect detection. This advanced technique has the potential to be more reliable in defect sizing and characterization, providing detailed information about defects in real-time. The effect of high temperature and noise associated with the automated process is considered the main challenge in this project.

The aim of project is to review the sizing and calibration process in ultrasonic phased array for welding and WAAM inspection (room temperature and high temperature), to research and develop different offline and online calibration methods to enhance the detection and sizing measurements accuracy level using robotically delivered Ultrasound Phased Array Roller Probe Technology, and to research and develop calibration and compensation techniques for high temperature dry coupled inspection.

Primary Supervisor (University of Strathclyde): Dr. Randika Vithanage
Secondary Supervisor (University of Glasgow): Dr. Koko Lam

The goal of my project is to investigate sensor-driven automation of high-integrity welding, based on ultrasonic volumetric data, to safely deliver high-quality welds right first time, every time, in challenging industrial environments.

The objectives to meeting this goal are:
• Revolutionise automated welding of high-value components by embedding ultrasonic in-process inspection and control directly at the point of deposition.
• Investigate the propagation of ultrasonic waves through the welding process, including the molten and solidifying pool.
• Design high-temperature, couplant-free phased array ultrasonic sensors for embedding within the welding process for feedback control.
• Develop fast machine learning inspired defect detection algorithms and robotic path-planning and control approaches for real-time arc power and torch pose correction based on ultrasonic features.

Primary Supervisor (University of Strathclyde): Prof. Charles Macleod
Secondary Supervisor (University of Strathclyde): Dr. Andriejus Demcenko
Project External Partner: Babcock International Group

Hy-Met Ltd was founded in January 2021 as a forward-thinking technology startup. The company is dedicated to developing cutting-edge instrumentation to address the complexities of future energy measurement challenges. Their approach involves creating revolutionary products that integrate state-of-the-art hardware and software technologies. The primary aim of the H2METproject is to carry out fundamental research into design of ultrasound transducers applicable to the emerging industrial hydrogen metering requirement, particularly devices that are able to operate at elevated pressure (up to 1000bar in extreme cases).

Specifically, my project will involve:
• Simulation (finite element) to study behaviour of novel ultrasonic transducer design(s) for operation in pressurised H2 (both pure & blends of various combinations) that might be encountered in hydrogen use cases.
• Proof-of-concept prototype fabrication/characterisation of novel transducers to generate/receive strong ultrasonic signal for measurement in H2 and other unconventional gases.
• Test POC prototype transducer in H2 loop (NEL Facility) to demonstrate viability in N2/H2/CH4 blends in atmospheric pressure and also at Hy-Met test setup at Tyseley Energy Park for H2/other blends at slightly elevated pressure (max 150 bar).

Primary Supervisor (University of Strathclyde): Dr. Richard O’Leary
Secondary Supervisor (University of Glasgow): Prof. Gioia Falcone
Project External Partner: Hy-Met

I will be working with the external industry partner DERMUS which is a company that is involved in skin imaging. The Dermus Skinscanner system is based on single-element transducers; my project aims to explore how to implement microultrasound array imaging to improve its performance.

Specific objectives include:
• To understand established and potential capabilities of microultrasound for imaging of skin pathologies, including with single-element and array transducers.
• To explore the different possibilities for microultrasound array fabrication with designs able to meet the needs of skin scanning.
• To establish one or more practical routes for fabrication and to computer-based models to demonstrate their performance.
• To fabricate viable prototype devices and to demonstrate their basic performance parameters and their potential for accurate diagnosis of skin pathologies.

Primary Supervisor (University of Glasgow): Dr. Koko Lam
Secondary Supervisor (University of Strathclyde): Dr. Gaetano di Caterina
Project External Partner: Dermus, Hungary

The project goal is to explore innovations in system-on-chip (SoC) for maritime sensing, in collaboration with Ultra Maritime.

The specific objectives are:

• Generate requirements for a SoC system for incorporation into the maritime environment.
• Generate a preliminary circuit configuration to fulfil, where possible, the defined requirements, prototype using commercial off the shelf components on printed circuit board (PCB) technology and assess its performance.
• Assess the performance of the prototyped device, identify strengths and weaknesses of the design before optimising the design for system-on-a-chip prototyping.
• Demonstrate the SoC design at TRL-5 in a representative environment at an Ultra-Maritime facility in either the UK or Canada.
• Provide a review to industrial partner on the viability of incorporating system-on-a-chip technology into the maritime environment.
There is scope for my project to team with another FUSE project to prototype a sonar solution with sensor technology based on a novel piezoelectric material.

Primary Supervisor (University of Glasgow): Prof. Hadi Heidari
Secondary Supervisor (University of Strathclyde): Dr. Andrew Reid
Project External Partner: Ultra Maritime

The goal of this project is to identify novel and emerging ultrasound technologies which can reduce the hardware complexity of conventional ultrasound scanners. Whilst novel technologies such as plane wave imaging and neural network or software-based beamforming have led to significant advances in imaging performance, my project aims to leverage new technologies to bring value to veterinary customers through a more efficient use of hardware. An assessment phase will precede any practical work, such that early research into emerging technologies will inform strategic direction once industrialisation constraints are considered.
Whilst the general concepts of the above ground-breaking techniques have been described in literature, a knowledge gap exists both in academic and public industry literature regarding efficient implementation of such concepts in low cost and portable scanners. This work has the potential to deliver significant value to IMV imaging customers in an ever-changing market. Whilst my project will focus mainly on ultrasonic engineering for veterinary imaging, research developed in this domain will be just as applicable to portable medical ultrasound scanners.

Primary Supervisor (University of Glasgow): Prof. Sandy Cochran
Secondary Supervisor (University of Strathclyde): Prof. Carmine Clemente
Project External Partner: IMV

My project will explore the use of state-of-the-art signal and imaging processing for ophthalmic ultrasound systems. It will develop improved electronics and DSP processes using real-world practical device data. It will also develop computer models of the imaging process in a current ophthalmic ultrasound system. The models will be used to run trial simulations of different image processing techniques. The signal and imaging research work will be tested, and then brought together, through practical experimentation using an ophthalmic ultrasound scanner with phantom eye structures. Experimental characterisation of phantoms will take place in the Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering at Strathclyde. I will be working closely with Keeler Ltd, spending time at their site. My project will lead to the creation of new signal and image paradigms for ophthalmological ultrasound systems, enhancing their use for a variety of medical ophthalmology applications.

Key objectives include:
• Investigate state-of-the-art signal and image processing in ultrasound imaging across all sectors.
• Develop modelling and simulations of Keeler type ophthalmic ultrasound imaging systems.
• Design, model, simulate, test and evaluate new concepts for ophthalmic ultrasonic imaging.

Primary Supervisor (University of Glasgow): Prof. James Windmill
Secondary Supervisor (University of Strathclyde): Dr. Koko Lam
Project External Partner: Keeler

Combining tactile imaging with ultrasound could potentially provide benefits for breast cancer screening. Tactile imaging (TI), also known as mechanical imaging or elastography, involves the use of pressure waves to create images of tissue stiffness. Ultrasound, on the other hand, uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the internal structures of the body.
Clinical data on the diagnostic/screening potential of breast TI indicate that it is superior to the clinical breast exam and comparable or superior to mammography. Advantages of TI include inherently low cost, ease-of-use, portability, no ionising radiation, and minimal training requirements. Tactile imaging is well suited screening for potential lesions, but is limited in differentiating benign cysts and tumours. Ultrasonic imaging is too targeted to perform a global scan of the breast, but can differentiate between cysts and tumours, reducing the need for biopsy. My project will investigate the fusion of stress (tactile) and strain (ultrasonic) to optimise breast cancer screening.

My project’s aims aims include:
• Understand the state of the art in breast imaging using tactile imaging and ultrasonic imaging.
• Develop procedures and algorithms that use a combination of TI to find and ultrasound to diagnose lesions
• Develop a hybrid ultrasonic/tactile imagine sensor module and demonstrate the concept
• Investigate methods/algorithms of combining stress (TI) and strain (ultrasound) at a fundamental level to enhance diagnosis capability

Primary Supervisor (University of Strathclyde): Prof. Gordon Dobie
Secondary Supervisor (University of Glasgow): Prof. Steven Neale
Project External Partner: Pressure Profile Systems

As part of my pre-aligned project, I am working with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland to develop an in-situ Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) residual stress (RS) measurement system in the metal additive manufacturing process.

My core research objectives are as follows:
• Study novel ultrasonic phased array transducers and data extraction to measure RS
• Automate the RS measurement process using robot deployment of the sensor arrays
• Enable high-temperature operation of the measurement so that true in-situ measurement can be made
• Study the feasibility of 5G wireless integration of RS measurement robotic and PAUT system with the manufacturing robot
 
Primary Supervisor (University of Strathclyde): Dr. Yashar Javadi
Secondary Supervisor (University of Glasgow): Prof. Hadi Heidari
Project External Partner: National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, AFRC