Research

Research in the Faculty of Technology

Research in the Faculty of Technology is of international standing and provides a diverse, exciting and interdisciplinary base for postgraduate research degrees. The academic excellence of the Faculty was evidenced in the recent Research Assessment Exercise (2008) where 45 per cent of all work submitted was classified as 'internationally excellent' or 'world-leading'.

Notable work includes:

• The Mechatronics Research Centre's project on 'intelligent homes', which has implications for home security and healthcare monitoring.
• Pioneering new computer modelling software developed by the Water Software Systems (WSS) group, which has already been applied to water distribution networks serving millions of UK homes.
• The Lean Engineering Research Group, which examines the possibility of making aeroplane manufacture cheaper and more efficient by using composites and plastics in place of traditional aluminium. This is a study with revolutionary potential.
• Unique data held by the Earth and Planetary Remote Sensing Laboratory, which has helped produce the most accurate map of the world's surface ever seen.
• The Centre for Computational Intelligence (CCI), which is leading pioneering research into type 2 fuzzy logic, a software based method which allows computers and mechanical devices to make independent decisions.

All research successes are testament to the passion and dedication of all Faculty researchers to break barriers in diverse areas such as mechanical and manufacturing engineering, mechatronics, process engineering, biomedical engineering and microelectronics. The Faculty currently has a thriving body of more than 160 research degree students supported by excellent research laboratories and studios. 

Research Programmes

Postgraduate research degree students play a vital role in contributing to the research activities of the Faculty and DMU welcomes applications to study for Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Students are offered first-rate research training and excellent facilities for study, including a wide range of dedicated laboratories.

Students starting a research degree programme will join a large and dynamic community of around 150 full and part-time PhD and MPhil researchers. An MPhil normally takes two years of full-time study or three years part-time to complete. A PhD normally takes a minimum of three years full-time study or five years part-time to complete.

Find out more about the dedicated Engineering research groups at DMU.

Earth and Planetary Remote Sensing Laboratory

The Earth and Planetary Remote Sensing Laboratory is an interdisciplinary research centre, staffed by members of three departments within Technology. The current primary research focus is in analysis and interpretation of remote sensing data, with an emphasis on radar instruments, particularly radar altimetry. There is a strong emphasis on collaborative research programmes, with a network of international links to universities and institutes on four continents.

The Emerging Technologies Research Centre (EMTERC)

The Emerging Technologies Research Centre's (EMTERC) goal is to be internationally acknowledged as a centre of expertise in microelectronic devices, electronic materials, circuits and application areas for microelectronics. EMTERC is involved in research activities, which range from the design of devices through to using the resulting system. EMTERC is recruiting its first students for the MSc in Microelectronics and Nanotechnology. This programme offers an option for MSc by research where two thirds of the degree is research project based.

Biomedical Engineering

The Biomedical Engineering Group is firmly established as one of the world leaders in the field of electrical impedance tomography, and for having technologies to display these images in three-dimensions. Research is focused on imaging technologies for metrological, medical, entertainment and industrial imaging applications.

The research on integral imaging involves processing data, graphical generation and real time capture of integral images. This then follows on to the coding, transmission and display of real 3D optical models of the original object space. The work of the Biomedical Engineering Group is creating new applications in medical electronics and IT (using computerised tomography) to detect cancer and be used as an early warning system for cardiac failure.

Lean Engineering

The Lean Engineering Research Group's focus is on developing strong technological partnerships with the manufacturing and service industries. Research is focused on delivering expertise in areas including design, implementation and maintenance of lean 6-sigma practices. The group also concentrates on using discrete event simulation for creative problem solving, using artificial intelligence modelling for improving operations planning and scheduling. Current consultancy includes: site logistics modelling, flexible labour modelling for process flow lines and factory simulation modelling.

Rapid Prototyping

The focus for research in the Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing Group is production of end-use parts using layer manufacturing techniques and advanced engineering and manufacturing techniques in surgery. The work has helped many companies who are interested in techniques and technologies to introduce new products more quickly, at lower cost and with greater flexibility.

Mechanical Engineering

The Mechanical Engineering group is active in several important research areas. Some recent research activities include: spray combustion modelling, internal combustion engine and alternative fuel research, solar crop dryer design, nonlinear flight mechanics and surface engineering. Research into combustion modelling and energy conversion uses both experimental and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods to analyse efficiencies and emissions of energy systems. Since 2001 members of the group have published 62 journal papers, 32 conference papers, six book chapters, 21 official research reports and one patent.

Mechatronics

The Mechatronics Research Group conducts research within the integrated disciplines of mechanical, electronic and software engineering that is innovative and relevant to the needs of UK and European industry. The 'Intelligent Machines and Automation Systems (IMAS)' laboratory is home to the group's research, which aims to create a centre of excellence in 'intelligent machine systems design and control', recognised nationally and internationally for its contribution to the field. The group has consciously developed active international research links and collaborations.