This work centres on the development of new procedures for consolidating powder layers using lasers for application in additive manufacturing.

A main objective of the programme is to develop and implement a novel integrated plasma diagnostics tool by combining nN force measurements with high speed pulsed digital holography, laser-induced fluorescence and volumetric ion current analysis within a thermal vacuum chamber. The proposed system will be used to increase our understanding of new and existing energy transfer mechanisms where plasmas are concerned e.g. studying phenomena in laser-matter interactions.

This project aims to improve the process control and production stability of large carbon nanotube fibres through the addition of new sensors and better handling of sensor outputs and control input.

A collaboration between the Nanomanufacturing group (IfM) and Bio-inspired Photonics group (Melville Lab) sees Charlie working towards the production and application of biocompatible photonic materials.

The fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces is the focus of intense research globally. There are many potential applications for the technology because of the potential to accurately channel water, reduce corrosion, reduce cleaning cycles and therefore water consumption and to possibly reduce the adhesion of biological contamination. Additional applications of interest include biomedical diagnostics, micro fuel cells and water harvesting devices but these all call for the development of patternable wettability control.

The project will focus on high rate production of 3D plastic and metal parts using holographic beam shaping (HBS) to perform selective laser sintering (SLS). Current additive manufacturing (AM) techniques are reliant upon electron and laser beam technologies to selectively melt a small area.

In the 3D nanomagnetic paradigm, new physics phenomena such as new types of domain wall, 3D spin texture and dynamic effects have a great potential leading to new functionalities which will find application in fields such as sensing, actuating, information storage and ‘internet of things’.

This project is being completed in collaboration with Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFSOR) with the aim of developing metal – CNT (carbon nanotube) paper laminates optimised for use in anodes of high power microwave devices.

Biolaser is an IfM and NIAB collaboration which aims to develop a laser ablation tomography platform that provides rapid, 3D imaging of plant material down to micron or even sub-micron resolutions.

This project aims to improve the reliability of AM processes perform in process monitoring with a novel multi-sensory system that is integrated into the build chamber.