Interferometric inspection for the nuclear industry (EEE-08-Maiden)

Details

The nuclear industry places great importance on rigorous structural testing of the storage and containment

infrastructure used to hold nuclear material. In many cases this involves destructive physical tests where small

samples are removed from their native environment and subjected to artificially harsh conditions, until they fail. This

project – a collaboration between the University of Sheffield and bake-off champion Rahul Mandal at the Nuclear

Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC) – will investigate laser-based optical methods as an in-situ,

non-destructive alternative to these physical tests.

We require a graduate, ideally with some experience of optics, to construct, test and compare proof-of-principle

demonstrator systems based on holographic interferometry, electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) and

related novel methods being developed by the collaboration. These optical methods can already measure stress,

strain and deformation of materials; the task here is to maximise their resolution, field of view and sensitivity to meet

the exacting standards expected of nuclear testing.

The successful candidate will join the research group of Dr. Andrew Maiden and will be co-supervised by Dr. Rahul

Mandal. The position is funded through the EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership, which covers the University PhD

fees and an annual tax-free stipend.

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the project supervisors to discuss your interest in and suitability for the project prior to submitting your application.

Please refer to the EPSRC DTP webpage for detailed information about the EPSRC DTP and how to apply.

Apply Here: Application Form (sheffield.ac.uk)