Important: Students should not restrict their search for a supervisor to those listed below. Use other sources of information on research groups to find out about possible supervisors. Most UROP research experiences are obtained with staff who do not advertise their availability. However, please also take note of the list of non-participating staff.

UROP Opportunities in the Faculty of Engineering
Title of UROP Opportunity (Research Experience) & Details Experience required (if any) Contact Details and any further Information

Digital ElectronicsThe development of tools and techniques to help automate the design of digital circuits from high level specifications. The implementation of algorithms in reconfigurable hardware or combined hardware/software

An interest and skills in both software and hardware (digital).

 

Prof George Constantinides, Circuits and Systems Research Group, Dept of Electrical Engineering, Room 910, Electrical Engineering Building, South Kensington Campus. Tel: 020 7594 6299 Email: g.constantinides@imperial.ac.uk

Non-Destructive Testing: Components and structures in safety-critical applications must be tested before service and at intervals during their operating life to ensure that there are no defects such as cracks or delaminations present which could cause failure. The tests which are carried out must not damage the component and are, therefore, termed non-destructive. Many parameters which can give information about the integrity of components are measured but there is no universally applicable technique and several areas, such as adhesive joints, are not adequately covered by existing test methods.

Current research is investigating the potential of sonic vibration and ultrasonic measurements for the detection of defects. Opportunities are available in these areas.

  Professor Mike Lowe, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rm 461a, Mechanical Engineering Building, South Kensington Campus. Tel: 020 759 47071; Email: m.lowe@imperial.ac.uk

Efficient and Secure Machine Learning: My research team focuses on the intersections between hardware, algorithms, and security in the Machine Learning world. I am interested in hosting students for a UROP research experience who would like to explore the efficiency and security aspects of ML systems.

Skills and experience required: Past experience with Pytorch or similar ML frameworks is necessary. Past experience with CUDA and FPGAs is preferred. Past experience with high-level ML frameworks, such as Huggingface and PytorchLightening is also preferred but not necessary.

A bursary will be available to the successful candidate.

Contact details: Dr Aaron Zhao, Lecturer in Computer Engineering, Room 903, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, South Kensington campus. Email: a.zhao@imperial.ac.uk 

 

A new generation of multi-physics models for material degradation and failure

There is an opportunity now to develop a new generation of simulation-based models that can predict material degradation. This is made possible by ever-increasing computer power and the development of new finite element algorithms that can enable simulating concurrent (coupled) physical processes such as mechanical deformation, chemical reactions, diffusion of species and material fracture; so-called multi-physics modelling. These enriched continuum computer models bring quantitative predictive capabilities by resolving the underlying physics while delivering predictions at a scale relevant to engineering practice.

There is an opening for one or more UROP positions to work for at least 10 weeks in developing and/or applying this new generation of multi-physics models to a variety of technologically-relevant problems: from predicting the lifetime of wind turbines to enabling a breakthrough in battery technology.

Skills and experience required: An interest in computer modelling (finite element analysis) and mechanics of materials. Previous experience with Abaqus or COMSOL is desirable.

The research crosses the boundaries of mechanical engineering, civil engineering and materials science, and the student is expected to have a strong interest in finite element analysis, materials engineering or fracture mechanics.

Contact: Dr Emilio Martínez-Pañeda, Dept of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 249, Skempton Building, South Kensington Campus. Email: e.martinez-paneda@imperial.ac.uk; T: +44 (0)20 7594 8188; W: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanics-materials/

More details on the research can be found in the following YouTube video: https://youtu.be/TPBBN6QHlnw

 

UROP Opportunities in the Faculty of Engineering
UROP Opportunities in the Faculty of Engineering