Postgraduate research
3D Computer Vision Microstructure Modelling and Characterisation of Fusion Materials subjected to Simultaneous Creep and Irradiation
Qualification: PhD
Department: School of Engineering
Application deadline: 10 April 2025
Start date: 22 September 2025
Overview
Supervisors
- Dr Yang Liu
- Professor Simon Gill
- Professor Bo Chen
Project description
Engineering assurance for the UK Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) presents a materials challenge but also opens many opportunities to better exploit recent progress in advanced characterisation and modelling tools. A top-down design approach is currently considered for the materials qualification and structural integrity assessment for key structural material, namely, CuCrZr alloy. Creep is a high-temperature deformation mode which is highly influenced by irradiation during loading and one of the key failure initiators of CuCrZr alloy. Overcoming the challenge of microstructure design is crucial for unlocking the potentials of CuCrZr alloy, therefore a computational tool is needed to understand and assess deformation and failure inside its microstructure.
Three-dimensional computer vision method is an efficient and powerful tool for full 3D field prediction. Accurate field prediction needs full training of datasets from validated rate-dependent micro-mechanical modelling. This approach takes the crystal plasticity finite element modelling (CPFEM) as its core training tool, combined with the UK’s first-of-its-kind characterisation facility (the Hercules package) in Leicester, aiming to overcome the trade-off between accuracy and efficiency for enabling full 3D measurements and predictions of inhomogeneous polycrystalline responses. The aim of this PhD work is to utilise the CPFEM method to understand both deformation and failure mechanisms in relation to the micro-mechanical responses of CuCrZr alloy subject to simultaneous creep and proton irradiation. You will perform 3D correlative microscopy studies by using the UK’s first-of-its-kind characterisation facility (the Hercules package) to create microstructure-related material database. The rich information across length-scales will be utilised for calibrating CPFEM models and generating datasets to train the computer vision programme. This project also comes with financial supports for attending international meetings/workshops.
Funding
Funding
This College of Science and Engineering Studentship provides:
- 3.5 year Stipend at UKRI rates- For 2024/5 this will be £19,237 per year.
- 3.5 year UK or full International fees waiver as appropriate
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Applicants are required to hold/or expect to obtain at least a UK Bachelor Degree 2:1 or better, or overseas equivalent in computer science, mathematics and physics or relevant subject area.
The University of Leicester English language requirements apply.
In addition, successful applicants should meet the following
- Demonstrable experience of analytical and/or numerical modelling, via Matlab, computer programming/coding, and/or numerical simulation software (e.g. ABAQUS)
- Desirable experience of image processing and computer vision or computational geometry, preferably with some experience of design and analysis of algorithms for training 3D datasets.
- Good written and oral communication skills and teamwork attitude
Informal enquiries
Informal enquiries
Project/funding enquiries to
- Dr Yang Liu yl832@leicester.ac.uk
Application enquiries
How to apply
How to apply
To apply, please use the Apply button at the bottom of the page and select September 2025 rom the dropdown menu.
With your application, please include:
- CV
- Personal statement explaining your interest in the project, your experience and why we should consider you.
- Degree certificates and transcripts of study already completed and if possible transcript to date of study currently being undertaken
- Evidence of English language proficiency if applicable
- In the reference section please enter the contact details of your two academic referees in the boxes provided or upload letters of reference if already available (project supervisors are not able to act as referees).
- In the funding section please specify Dr Yang Liu Studentship
- In the proposal section please provide the name of the project supervisors and project title you want to be considered for (we do not require a proposal)
Eligibility
Eligibility
UK applicants may apply.
Applicants who hold EU Settled or Pre-Settled status may be eligible for UK fees. Please email a share code to pgrapply@le.ac.uk and include your application number so that we can verify your status (The share code we need starts with S).
