Research
The department has a wide range of research interests and strong international recognition in several areas. Our average annual research income is in excess of £1m.
Research is split into five groups
To find out more, please go to research websites below, or search our publications.
Micro and Nano Systems
The group has an international reputation for industrially-linked research into design challenges associated with optimisation of quality, reliability and manufacturing economics in systems based on micro- and nano-technology. The group’s standing has resulted in coordination of an FP6 Network of Excellence and a leadership role in the EPSRC IeMRC (see section 1). A strategic partnership agreement has been signed in test engineering with the Institute for System Level Integration (2002) and the group is fully integrated into the University’s Strategic Partnership with QinetiQ (2006). In addition to externally-funded collaborations, three international visiting academics have been hosted.
More information about the group can be found on the microsystems website
Control and Instrumentation
The group has an international reputation for advanced techniques of instrumentation and control applied to problems including homeland security, nuclear decommissioning, software-based analysis for speech therapy and the control of motorway traffic. Collaboration with industry (BAE SYSTEMS, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA)), ensures industrial relevance of the research and provides routes to exploitation of results. The group has special expertise in nuclear instrumentation, construction robotics and applications of the PI-Plus control methodology.
More information is avaialable on the control and instrumentation website
High Power Microwave Engineering
One of the leading university research groups in the world in vacuum electronics and high-power microwave and radio-frequency engineering, the group has grown from one to three staff during the period, with a further appointment pending. Prof Carter was the main author of the successful proposal to establish the Faraday Partnership in High-Power Radio-Frequency Engineering. He also took a leading part in the establishment of the Cockcroft Institute for Accelerator Science and Technology. The track record of the group was a significant factor in the success of this proposal.
Energy
The group has a strong research track record in wave and tidal energy, low-head hydropower and energy policy, particularly relating to transport. It was the only university group among eight internationally-leading device developers selected to participate in the 2004-06 Carbon Trust Marine Energy Challenge. We are members of the FP6 Network of Excellence Coordinated Action on Ocean Energy, and are active in formulating marine-energy research programmes under FP7. The group collaborates with other academic groups including Edinburgh, Queen’s Belfast and Strathclyde Universities as well as the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC).
More information about Energy work can be found here. The Lancaster University Renewable Energy Group website has details of the group's work in renewable energy.
Structures, Design and Manufacturing
The group has an international reputation for research in structures, design and manufacturing. It leads the NW Higher Education Manufacturing Innovation and Design Partnership and was co-founder of NW Composites Centre. Our research generates scientific knowledge and guidance for the design of statically- and dynamically-loaded pultruded composite structures, and methodologies for implementing sustainable design and rapid manufacturing practices in industry. The group has hosted academic visitors from Australia, China, Iran and Japan.
Information about research into structures can be found here.
Information on rapid prototyping, sustainable manufacture and other related projects can be found on LPDU's website.