Mechanical Engineering

Food texture is related to the way our senses perceive and feel the rheological and mechanical properties of edible substances. For example a potato chip is crispy; an apple is crunchy; butter is soft; bread is firm; candy is hard; yogurt is smooth; cream is thick; cake is moist, and honey is sticky. Food texture is critical for the consumer and impacts on a product’s market share. It is affected by the composition, manufacturing process, storage conditions and aging. It impacts the final quality and nutrition value of the food product. Food industry strives to improve texture while enhancing the product’s nutritional value and health benefits. For example, healthy oleogels can be used in substitution of harmful trans/saturated fats while retaining the sense of a “mouthful” product.

Texture is complex to quantify, as it is the result of interplay of the food mechanical and rheological properties as physically sensed in the mouth. It is the result of the complex movement of chewing involving our jaws, teeth, and tongue, and the combined comminution (particle size distribution change) and gradual dissolution of substances in saliva.

This project aims to develop and combine mechanical and rheological testing methodologies that will characterize texture rapidly and reliably, in real time, during the manufacturing and storage period. The experimental program will be complemented by state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) methodologies in order to correlate improved texture with optimized manufacturing and storage processes.

The ideal candidate will combine strong experimental and computational skills, an interest in food science and engineering, mechanics, rheology and numerical methods/software (e.g., MATLAB, Python).

https://vasileioskoutsos.wixsite.com/softmaterials

www.eng.ed.ac.uk/about/people/dr-dimitrios-i-gerogiorgis

The University of Edinburgh is committed to equality of opportunity for all its staff and students, and promotes a culture of inclusivity. Please see details here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/equality-diversity

An undergraduate degree in Chemical/Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related area (Physics, Chemistry), with a strong background in computational modelling.

Minimum entry qualification - an Honours degree at 2:1 or above (or International equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering discipline, possibly supported by an MSc Degree.

Further information on English language requirements for EU/Overseas applicants.

Applications are welcomed from self-funded students, or students who are applying for scholarships from the University of Edinburgh or elsewhere

Further information and other funding options.

The wetting behaviours of liquids on solid surfaces play an important role for a wide range of engineering applications, including coatings, electronics, oil recovery, microfluidics, and inkjet printing. For many of these applications, the key challenge is to control the static and dynamic wettability of a given substrate against various liquids. To achieve such control, especially over the full range of wettability landscape, surface chemistry, while crucial, is inadequate by itself. Recent works have shown that novel surfaces with exceptional wetting properties (often termed as superwettability) can be designed by introducing roughness, lubrication, chemical heterogeneities, and tuning the elasticity of the substrate.

The underlying theme of this PhD project is to study the rich interplay between fluid flow dynamics, surface chemistry, geometry, roughness, and solid elasticity in the context of wetting phenomena. Depending on the interests of the student, they can focus on modelling or combine modelling and experiments to develop engineering design principles for structured surfaces with superwettability properties. We will consider both model surfaces with regular patterns (e.g., posts, holes) and non-ideal, industrially relevant substrates (e.g., complex fibres, meshes). This project will also involve collaborations with our international experimental and industrial partners, Dr.-Ing. Hutomo Suryo Wasisto (Infineon Technologies AG, Germany) and Prof. Kuwat Triyana (Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia), to explore how these design principles can be exploited for applications in microelectromechanical system (MEMS) and sensor technologies.

It is expected that the applicant will have a good degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or any other related subject. We are particularly keen to hear from applicants who want to develop expertise in fluids, surfaces, and/or simulations using high performance computing. Prior experience in any of these areas is useful but not a necessity to apply.

The student will join Prof Halim Kusumaatmaja’s group which will move to the Institute for Multiscale Thermofliuds at the University of Edinburgh in May 2024. The student will also benefit from a vibrant community of PhD students, postdoctoral research associates and academics working in various aspects of surfaces and wetting in Edinburgh.

The University of Edinburgh is committed to equality of opportunity for all its staff and students, and promotes a culture of inclusivity. Please see details here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/equality-diversity

Further information about Prof Halim Kusumaatmaja’s group can be found in: https://sites.google.com/site/kusumaatmaja/home 

Minimum entry qualification - an Honours degree at 2:1 or above (or International equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering discipline, possibly supported by an MSc Degree. Further information on English language requirements for EU/Overseas applicants.

Applications are welcomed from self-funded students, or students who are applying for scholarships from the University of Edinburgh or elsewhere.

Further information and other funding options.

This project aims to investigate the capabilities of adaptive structures that change their geometry and mechanical properties to accommodate operational loading and extend their lifespan, thereby supporting sustainable infrastructure and a circular economy.

The core objective of this project is to engineer a self-adapting structure that adjusts to the prescribed loading conditions. This adaptation is achieved by integrating local structures that accommodate stiffness variations along the global structure. The local structures will change their geometry and shape in response to the applied loads, resulting in emergent properties in the main global structure. Analytical modeling of the sub-structures will provide understanding and control for stiffness tailoring, which will translate into desirable mechanical properties in the main structure. The connection between global properties and sub-structure geometry changes aims to be achieved by understanding the relationships between geometric parameters and vibration response. The geometric nonlinearity induced by the local sub-structures may cause amplitude-dependent nonlinear dynamic responses. Thus, understanding the underlying physics in the coupling between local and global structures, along with the vibration response of the global structure, aims to facilitate feedback to passively control the mechanical properties of the structure. Consequently, this dynamic response leads to continuous shape and geometry modifications within the structure, ultimately enhancing its capacity to accommodate specified loading requirements more effectively. The adaptive structures will benefit operability by maximizing structural capacity during service.

This project is supervised by Dr David Garcia Cava (School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh). It will involve regular interaction with collaborators from academia and industry. Interested candidates may contact the supervisor for further information (david.garcia@ed.ac.uk).

Personal website: https://dgarciacava.github.io/

This advert might close once a suitable candidate is found. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

References

[1] Sundararaman, V., O’Donnell, M.P., Chenchiah, I.V., Clancy, G. and Weaver, P.M., 2023. Stiffness tailoring in sinusoidal lattice structures through passive topology morphing using contact connections. Materials & Design, 226, p.111649.

[2] Zhao, B., Thomsen, H.R., Pu, X., Fang, S., Lai, Z., Van Damme, B., Bergamini, A., Chatzi, E. and Colombi, A., 2024. A nonlinear damped metamaterial: Wideband attenuation with nonlinear bandgap and modal dissipation. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 208, p.111079.

The University of Edinburgh is committed to equality of opportunity for all its staff and students, and promotes a culture of inclusivity. Please see details here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/equality-diversity

Minimum entry qualification - an Honours degree at 2:1 or above (or International equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering discipline, possibly supported by an MSc Degree.

Applications are particularly welcome from candidates expecting to receive a first-class degree in mechanical engineering, physics, applied mathematics or a closely related subject.

Interests on: Structural mechanics and dynamics, Stochastic modelling and uncertainty quantification.

Further information on English language requirements for EU/Overseas applicants.

Applications are welcomed from self-funded students, or students who are applying for scholarships from the University of Edinburgh or elsewhere.

*Competition (EPSRC) funding may be available for an exceptional candidate but please note you must be a UK student or an EU student who has pre-settled/settled status and has lived in the UK for at leats 3 years.

Further information and other funding options.

I am a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the Institute for Materials and Processes in Edinburgh University. My expertise is in the modeling and simulation of particle (granular)/particle-laden systems. These systems are encountered in a broad spectrum of industrial and environmental applications ranging from manufacturing to aerospace industries. To study the multi-physics and multi-scale phenomena encountered in such systems, I develop bespoke parallel numerical schemes and use high-performance computing to discover new physics and to tackle challenging engineering issues.

• BSc, MSc, PhD

• PgDip In Academic Practice
• Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (MIMechE)
• Fellow of Advance HE (FHEA)

• Engineering Thermodynamics (SCEE08006)

I am a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the Institute for Materials and Processes in Edinburgh University. My expertise is in the modeling and simulation of particle (granular)/particle-laden systems. These systems are encountered in a broad spectrum of industrial and environmental applications ranging from manufacturing to aerospace industries. To study the multi-physics and multi-scale phenomena encountered in such systems, I develop bespoke parallel numerical schemes and use high-performance computing to discover new physics and to tackle challenging engineering issues.

• BSc, MSc, PhD

• PgDip In Academic Practice
• Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (MIMechE)
• Fellow of Advance HE (FHEA)

• Engineering Thermodynamics (SCEE08006)

Dr Nan Yu is a Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor at the University of Edinburgh, and the Deputy Director of MSc Digital Design and Manufacture.

Nan was trained at Cranfield University (PhD: plasma figuring of large optics), University College Dublin (UCD, as a postdoc in precision manufacturing of medical devices), and the European Organisation of Nuclear Research (CERN, as an Associate Scientist in precision alignment and metrology). He has established academic reputation in precision manufacturing and advanced plasma technologies as evidenced by over £ 1 M funding secured as PI, more than 50 papers in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, 4 paper awards and 10 invited/keynote talks. Nan receives the prestigious Marie Curie International Fellowship (2018-2020), Irish Research Council Fellowship (2020), and Royal Academy of Engineering Industrial Fellowship (2023-2024). He holds two visiting appointments at UCD (2021-2026) and Osaka University (2022-2024). 

PgCAP in Higher Education (2023), Edinburgh

PhD in Precision Engineering (2017), Cranfield

MSc in Mechanical Manufacturing (2013), Harbin;

BSc in Mechanical Engineering (2011), Harbin;

2018 Professional Certificate of Entrepreneurial Educators, UCD, National University of Ireland;

2018 International Scientific Committee member of European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology (EUSPEN);

2019 Member of International Academy of Engineering and Technology (AET);

2021 Research Affiliate of International Academy of Production Engineering (CIRP);

2021 Member of EPSRC Early Career Forum in Manufacturing Research;

2022 Fellow of Royal Society for Art, Manufacture and Commerce (RSA);

2023 Fellow of Higher Education Academy (HEA)

1. Conceptual Design for Mechanical Engineers 3 (Course Organiser);

2. BEng Mechanical Engineering Project 4;

3. Digital Manufacturing 5;

4. Metrology in MSc Digital Design and Manufacture (Course Organiser)

5. MEng Mechanical Engineering Project 5

Chair, 12th CIRP Global Web Conference (CIRPe 2024) 

Dr Nan Yu is a Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor at the University of Edinburgh, and the Deputy Director of MSc Digital Design and Manufacture.

Nan was trained at Cranfield University (PhD: plasma figuring of large optics), University College Dublin (UCD, as a postdoc in precision manufacturing of medical devices), and the European Organisation of Nuclear Research (CERN, as an Associate Scientist in precision alignment and metrology). He has established academic reputation in precision manufacturing and advanced plasma technologies as evidenced by over £ 1 M funding secured as PI, more than 50 papers in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, 4 paper awards and 10 invited/keynote talks. Nan receives the prestigious Marie Curie International Fellowship (2018-2020), Irish Research Council Fellowship (2020), and Royal Academy of Engineering Industrial Fellowship (2023-2024). He holds two visiting appointments at UCD (2021-2026) and Osaka University (2022-2024). 

PgCAP in Higher Education (2023), Edinburgh

PhD in Precision Engineering (2017), Cranfield

MSc in Mechanical Manufacturing (2013), Harbin;

BSc in Mechanical Engineering (2011), Harbin;

2018 Professional Certificate of Entrepreneurial Educators, UCD, National University of Ireland;

2018 International Scientific Committee member of European Society for Precision Engineering and Nanotechnology (EUSPEN);

2019 Member of International Academy of Engineering and Technology (AET);

2021 Research Affiliate of International Academy of Production Engineering (CIRP);

2021 Member of EPSRC Early Career Forum in Manufacturing Research;

2022 Fellow of Royal Society for Art, Manufacture and Commerce (RSA);

2023 Fellow of Higher Education Academy (HEA)

1. Conceptual Design for Mechanical Engineers 3 (Course Organiser);

2. BEng Mechanical Engineering Project 4;

3. Digital Manufacturing 5;

4. Metrology in MSc Digital Design and Manufacture (Course Organiser)

5. MEng Mechanical Engineering Project 5

Chair, 12th CIRP Global Web Conference (CIRPe 2024) 

Professor in the Institute for Energy Systems and Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh. Models and designs powertrains and generators for offshore wind turbines.

PhD in "Structural analysis of low speed, high torque electrical generators for direct drive renewable energy converters" from Edinburgh (2004-2008). This started me looking at the integrated electrical-magnetic-mechanical modelling and design of large electrical machines for offshore renewable energy.

During my PhD, I started work on a double-sided air-cored permanent magnet machine concept called "C-Gen". Ultimately this lead to a formation and spin-out of a company called NGenTec, where as a founder I worked as Chief Engineer, helping to develop linear, radial-flux and axial-flux variants.

In 2012, I returned to academia, as a lecturer in Wind Turbine Technology in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineer at the University of Strathclyde. Based in the EPSRC CDT in Wind Energy Systems, over the following years I was promoted to Senior Lecturer and then Reader in Wind Turbine Technology. During those years I developed interests in wind turbine powertrain modelling, design, optimisation, reliability and condition monitoring, always asking what technology will give the lowest cost of energy for offshore renewables.

In 2021, I rejoined Edinburgh, where I work in Electrical Power Conversion group as applied to Wind Energy and Offshore Renewable Energy.

My career publications can be found here (please scroll down to the very bottom to see the ones that no one has read) and my EPSRC-funded projects are here (email me for the long list of those that didn't get funded).

PhD, University of Edinburgh, 2008

MEng (Hons) in Integrated Electrical & Mechanical Engineering, University of Durham, 2004

Member of the Institution for Engineering Technology (IET), CEng

Wind Energy 5 (MECE11008)

Principles of wind energy (PGEE11029)

• Design of permanent magnet electrical machines for wind energy and offshore renewable energy
• Design for lightweight electrical machines

Google Scholar

Professor in the Institute for Energy Systems and Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh. Models and designs powertrains and generators for offshore wind turbines.

PhD in "Structural analysis of low speed, high torque electrical generators for direct drive renewable energy converters" from Edinburgh (2004-2008). This started me looking at the integrated electrical-magnetic-mechanical modelling and design of large electrical machines for offshore renewable energy.

During my PhD, I started work on a double-sided air-cored permanent magnet machine concept called "C-Gen". Ultimately this lead to a formation and spin-out of a company called NGenTec, where as a founder I worked as Chief Engineer, helping to develop linear, radial-flux and axial-flux variants.

In 2012, I returned to academia, as a lecturer in Wind Turbine Technology in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineer at the University of Strathclyde. Based in the EPSRC CDT in Wind Energy Systems, over the following years I was promoted to Senior Lecturer and then Reader in Wind Turbine Technology. During those years I developed interests in wind turbine powertrain modelling, design, optimisation, reliability and condition monitoring, always asking what technology will give the lowest cost of energy for offshore renewables.

In 2021, I rejoined Edinburgh, where I work in Electrical Power Conversion group as applied to Wind Energy and Offshore Renewable Energy.

My career publications can be found here (please scroll down to the very bottom to see the ones that no one has read) and my EPSRC-funded projects are here (email me for the long list of those that didn't get funded).

PhD, University of Edinburgh, 2008

MEng (Hons) in Integrated Electrical & Mechanical Engineering, University of Durham, 2004

Member of the Institution for Engineering Technology (IET), CEng

Wind Energy 5 (MECE11008)

Principles of wind energy (PGEE11029)

• Design of permanent magnet electrical machines for wind energy and offshore renewable energy
• Design for lightweight electrical machines

Google Scholar

• MEng, Aerospace Engineering, The University of Manchester, 2010
• PhD, Advanced Metallic Systems, The University of Manchester, 2015
• PGCert, Academic Practice, LJMU, 2021

• Fellow of Advance HE (FHEA)
• Member of The Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (MIMMM)

Sam is currently course organiser for three courses:

• Additive and Computer Aided Manufacturing (PGEE11210)
• Digital Design and Manufacture Dissertation (PGEE11217).
• Digital Manufacture 5 (MECE11017)

He also provides supervision for BEng, MEng and MSc projects.