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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/T26344/01
Title: Platform: A Platform for the Rapid Exploitation of Materials via Microstructure-Explicit Modelling and Characterisation
Principal Investigator: Lee, Professor P
Other Investigators:
Minay, Dr EJ Dashwood, Professor RJ Dye, Professor D
McLean, Dr M
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Materials
Organisation: Imperial College London
Scheme: Platform Grants (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 February 2005 Ends: 31 January 2010 Value (£): 428,559
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Characterisation Materials Processing
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Aerospace, Defence and Marine Energy
Transport Systems and Vehicles
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The aim of this proposal is to provide the infrastrctural support required is to fully integrate the research with the Materials Processing and Performace Centre in the Dept. of Materials on (i) modelling the processing of existing and developing materials to predict microstructure, (ii) alloy/process development of advanced and developing engineering materials and (iii) development of constitutive equations to represent service behaviour. This will-d to an integrated microstructure-explicit modelling approach to alloy and process development for performance. The models cover the entire cycle of design, synthesis, processing and life assessment. A key feature of the platform is that it will develop continuity between the different models, process and characterisation developments so that a co-ordinated research programme, rather than a series of individual projects can be pursued.A quantitative description of microstructure is an explicit outcome of our process models and is also a critical input to the performance models, producing a clear link between the alloy/process route and performance which allows optimisation. Modelling, to be effective, must be calibrated by measurement of critical material properties and boundary conditions. Experimental validation of the model predictions is also essential. The proposed research consists of both model development and critical experimental measurement. The Centre is also well equipped to complement the modelling with pilot-scale experiments and advanced characterisation activities.The research of the Centre addresses a wide range of processes including solidification, thermo-mechanical processing, reaction synthesis, joining and superplastic forming. In the course of recent work a number of instrumented test rigs have been built, including directional solidification / single crystal furnaces, an instrumented extrusion press, reaction synthesis cells, electroreduction cells, an MMC squeeze-casting unit, rolling apparatus and small ingot production facilities. However, these facilities require continuity of care between projects. One of the posts requested will manage and provide leadership in exploiting this resource which has been recently refurbished.The modelling techniques used include continuum, cellular automata, phase field, self-consistent & isokinetic finite element thermomechanical analysis and continuum damage mechanics. These are usually implemented as routines that can be coupled into commercial codes, for ease of knowledge transfer. However, continuity of expertise is required to enable development of the algorithms across projects and to ensure that they couple into a unified whole. The second post will create an archive of software and promote its exploitation in a range of projects.
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Summary
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.imperial.ac.uk