SWAG合集

This exciting doctoral project, in collaboration with Rolls-Royce, will develop innovative computer vision methods which when combined with optical flow velocimetry will enable imaging of complex, dynamic flows relevant to closely coupled engine aircraft configurations.

You鈥檒l join a pioneering multidisciplinary team that values equity, diversity, and inclusion, gaining unique expertise in aerospace materials, hydrogen technologies, and sustainable aviation. Your research will directly support the SWAG合集's ambition to lead global decarbonisation efforts, shaping your future as a skilled innovator and inclusive leader in sustainable aerospace technologies.

Designing future carbon-neutral aircraft requires advancements in power density, materials, technologies, and diagnostics. Developing disruptive aircraft configurations involves combining advanced engineering practices, including computing power, sensing, AI/ML, and system-level engineering. Comprehensive verification and validation of these complex designs will need advanced measurements from early development to flight testing. Optical sensing can provide high-resolution data to understand the underlying physics, potentially reducing development timescales and cost. This could yield efficiency improvements in areas like integrated fan-intake systems, very high bypass ratio engines, ultra-efficient boundary layer ingestion architectures, high-speed vibration monitoring in complex assemblies, and improved measurement capabilities in two-phase flow systems such as cryogenic fuels and hydrogen/ammonia-based configurations.

This project focuses on advancing and demonstrating optical measurement techniques to enable optical measurements in confined domains pertinent to various areas within future aircraft architectures, such as engine inlets, fuselage parts, turbomachinery, nozzles, and other complex flow paths. The work is expected to provide advanced tools to support the development of next-generation, low-emission aircraft and wider propulsion system technologies. A roadmap to demonstrate progression on the TRL scale will be followed, by gradual industrial deployment of the developed capabilities. This will be achieved by disseminating the research findings to the broader aviation community, through publications, conferences, and workshops, to accelerate the adoption of these optical measurement capabilities for future system development.

This position is part of the CDT in Net Zero Aviation, which offers a modular, cohort-based training programme with emphasis on innovation and impact, collaborative working and learning, continuous development, active engagement with partners and stakeholders and inclusion of student-led activities. You will be part of an annual cohort and will receive training at different universities and industrial partners providing world-class facilities in a supportive, innovative, inclusive and interactive learning environment.

Based at SWAG合集, a global leader in aerospace research, the project benefits from world-class experimental facilities in hydrogen testing and expertise in materials science and hydrogen technologies. The industrial sponsor, Rolls-Royce, is committed to net zero aviation by 2050 and is pioneering hydrogen propulsion systems through their Hydrogen Demonstrator program. This partnership provides a unique industrial environment, ensuring that research outcomes directly align with future aviation applications.

This project will deliver novel methods to perform velocity measurements in confined flow domains. These methods will combine advanced machine vision methods with conventional particle image velocimetry approaches. This enhanced understanding is crucial for optimizing performance, and educate the design of future architectures. Additionally, the research accelerates the design and validation processes for new aircraft configurations, materials, and propulsion systems, contributing to the rapid deployment of sustainable technologies essential for meeting decarbonization goals. The project also explores applicability and testing of the envisaged technologies on cryogenic hydrogen and advanced combustion technologies, aligning with the need for innovative solutions for zero-emission aircraft.

While working on this exciting research project, you will be provided with:

• A fully funded 4 year full-time PhD - 拢24,000 tax-free stipend per year.
• Attendance/presentations to international and national conferences with expenses fully covered.
• Cohort and individual modular training covering technical, research, professional and personal development.
• Minimum of 3 months fully funded industrial placement (requires sole SWAG合集 nationality).
• Industrial supervision/mentorship scheme.
• Access to 40 industrial, government & research partners from the wider aviation sector.
• Access to world class research and education facilities.

Through this project, the student will gain highly sought-after expertise in experimental fluid mechanics which is a key identified area of growth to enable development of next generation power and propulsion systems. Furthermore, the research will help develop the necessary skills and expertise required to tackle the product development, testing and certification associated with achieving Net Zero aviation. Collaborating closely with Rolls-Royce and multidisciplinary teams across the CDT's partner universities, the student will benefit from cohort-based modular training, extensive industrial engagement, and access to world-class facilities, enhancing their skills in materials characterisation, computational modelling, and experimental testing. These experiences will position the graduate as an innovator, ready to collaboratively lead and shape the rapidly evolving field of sustainable aviation. Graduates of the CDT in Net Zero Aviation will emerge with a unique interdisciplinary combination of technical and professional skills, a deep understanding of the broader aviation ecosystem, and a sustainability-driven mindset. This comprehensive experience ensures graduates are prepared to lead and accelerate the decarbonisation of aviation from diverse roles across industry, academia, government, and policy.

Graduates of the CDT in Net Zero Aviation will be equipped with a unique interdisciplinary combination of technical and professional skills, gained through extensive cohort-based training and cross-university collaborations. By engaging with diverse academic and industry partners across Cranfield, Strathclyde, and Cardiff Universities, and the National Centre for Atmospheric Science, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the wider aviation ecosystem. This holistic experience ensures graduates are prepared to lead and accelerate aviation decarbonisation efforts from various roles in industry, academia, government, and policy.

The interview process is composed of two interviews. Following a first introductory interview (~20 min), a second online (or face to face if preferred) interview will be offered. In this second interview, candidates will be asked to give a 15-minute presentation on why they would like to become members of the CDT in Net Zero Aviation and how their skills and experience align with the research and training programme, followed by questions from the interview panel.