More than 65% of electrical energy which is consumed in developed countries is used by electrical machines. They are being employed in increasingly varied, and evermore challenging, applications, and are often embedded as an integral part of larger systems. However, the noise which is radiated by electrical machines is recognised as of enormous importance, irrespective of whether they are high power and provide propulsion torque, medium power for closed-loop servo control or low power for drives in consumer products. Indeed, noise standards now exist in many countries, whilst the maximum permitted noise level is usually stipulated in specifications. Thus, it is important that electrical machine manufacturers know, within given limits and at the design stage, the noise spectrum which a machine will produce, and can identify optimum and cost-effective ways of meeting given noise criteria.Although there is no dearth of text-books on acoustics, very few are directed at electrical machines, and those that are only provide designers and engineers with general information regarding the electromagnetic origins of noise, the mechanical behaviour of electrical machine, and their noise radiation characteristics. They are, therefore, of limited value when addressing a specific noise problem.Design engineers need more specific information about, and a greater understanding of, noise-causing forces and their dependence on design features, the response to those forces and the resulting acoustic power. However, the prediction of acoustic noise, as well as the estimation of electromagnetic, mechanical and acoustic parameters, is very difficult, not least because only a very small fraction of the electrical energy is converted into acoustic energy.Improved electrical machine design and magnetic materials, most notably rare-earth magnets, has led to new machine technologies, of which permanent magnet brushless machines are generally regarded as being the most energy efficient and having the highest power density. Competition is also leading to smaller machines per unit output power, and, hence, increased electric and magnetic loadings, relatively thin frames, and higher flux densities, all of which aggravate noise and vibration problems. Further, new concepts for permanent magnet brushless machines are emerging for which techniques for predicting magnetic noise generation either need to be developed further or do not exist. This is the case with the type of machine which is to be researched. It offers significant performance advantages and commercial potential. However, the ratio of its stator slot number to rotor pole number differs from that of conventional permanent magnet brushless machines, and results in many more frequency components in the radial and circumferential vibration forces, different vibration modes, and possibly unacceptable noise. In addition, there are other potentially significant sources of vibratory force, due to magnetic asymmetry, for example. Further, the vibration and acoustic noise behaviour of external rotor topologies will be very different to that of internal rotor machines.Thus, it is proposed to undertake a systematic programme of work which aims to establish reliable vibration and noise and reduction techniques for this class of machine and to demonstrate their low noise capability.

Current understanding of how affective responses to music differ across individuals and cultures is limited, despite its importance to therapeutic and commercial applications. Most cross-cultural studies operationalise culture using geographical regions and ethnicity. Examining self-construal as a psychological structure mediating emotional responses to music offers a step-change. My project investigates the role of self-construals in affective experiences with music using self-report questionnaires and behavioural experiments. This project has potential theoretical and practical applications for research and music practitioners.

Cold sintering is a revolutionary ceramic technology in which densification is induced at < 300 degrees C. It is particularly suited to ceramics with Li chemistries, reducing the CO2 emissions associated with ceramic processing at high temperature (700 degrees C. The primary objectives of the project are to optimize the densification of planar multilayers of Li based compositions whilst still retaining high values of Li ion conduction with a view to developing a range of new materials/composites for Li-ion capacitive storage and battery applications. Structure microstructure and properties will be investigated using XRD, SEM, TEM and impedance spectroscopy. Optimised compositions will be used to fabricate planar tapecast layers which will be multilayered and cold sintered to form planar ceramics. A combination of classic and in-operando XRD along with transmission electron microscopy will be used to study the interfacial reactions. The electrical properties will be investigated using impedance spectroscopy. The PhD is part sponsored by the Centre for Dielectrics and Piezoelectrics (CDP), of which the UoS is an academic partner alongside North Carolina and Pennsylvania State Universities. The CDP has 25+ industrial members which include Apple, Samsung, Murata, Taiyo Yuden and Ilika Technologies. Secondments to US partners and to CDP companies are encouraged within the programme.

The development and modernisation of UK infrastructure requires the ubiquitous use of concrete, but conventional casting methods are inefficient, inflexible and dangerous. The UK Industrial Strategy White Paper identifies that the UK has insufficient skilled labour to undertake the next 10 to 20 years of essential infrastructure development, to deliver the £600Bn National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline. Hence, the development of world-leadership in automation of key parts of the construction supply chain is critical. 3DCP removes the need for conventional moulds or formwork, by precisely placing and solidifying specific volumes of cementitious material in sequential layers under a computer controlled positioning process. This represents a radical 'mould-breaking' change, that challenges the implicit mind-sets of architects and engineers, where for millennia casting has required moulds, which in turn constrain the form, geometry and variety of building components and systems. 3DCP technology implicitly binds design and manufacture in contrast to current practice where designers and constructors are separated organisationally, institutionally and professionally. 3DCP is creating worldwide interest from the construction sector and lends itself to using readily available robotic arms as positioning tools for clever material deposition devices, which enable the manufacture of components to be digitally driven. However the required pull into commercialisation requires architects and engineers to engage their clients with designs suitable for the manufacturing process. However the underlying science as it relates to concrete composite materials simply does not exist. This project will be the first in the world to systematically investigate the interrelationships between rheology, process control, design geometry and reinforcement design in relation to there impact on the hardened properties of the final material. The project goes further and makes the first steps towards encoding the rules learnt into a software environment that will seed the development of new design software in the future.

Doctoral Training Partnerships: a range of postgraduate training is funded by the Research Councils. For information on current funding routes, see the common terminology at https://www.ukri.org/apply-for-funding/how-we-fund-studentships/. Training grants may be to one organisation or to a consortia of research organisations. This portal will show the lead organisation only.