my research fellowship

I was awarded an Anne McLaren Fellowship by the University of Nottingham in 2022. My fellowship examines ultrasonically-induced material change, and how better understanding of this phenomenon might support sustainable materials processing by hopefully creating new possibilities for joining dissimilar materials in power electronics assemblies. Ultrasonic joining is an extraordinary process where two materials can be made to stick together by “zapping” them with high frequency sound. The energy from the sound waves can alter how material atoms are arranged within a crystal lattice. This can soften the material, and a physical bond can form within a fraction of a second between materials in contact! Ultrasonic irradiation produces some transitory and some longer-lasting microscopic changes with interesting effects on materials properties. It’s a fascinating and relatively clean way to join metals, but not so well understood.

My fellowship also explores alternative perceptual modes for probing and understanding materials properties beyond the visual. I am working on blending the arts and creativity within engineering research and learning, and also looking at community-centred approaches to designing, performing and disseminating research to support socially just and responsible research.