From pine cones to minimal surfaces: the geometry and mechanics of morphing bilayers
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Engineering
Abstract
My research is currently focusing on continuing my MRes dissertation and exploring the role of twist in the solutions of morphing multistable shell structures. The work produced during my dissertation suggests the theory and literature, in particular Mansfield's solutions of twist, might suggest slightly different behaviour to what is actually observed. The aims and objectives are thus to review these solutions and explore the physical significance of the findings by creating physical models which embody the novel behaviour these solutions reveal.
Planned Impact
Our CDT will build on Cambridge Civil Engineering research strengths and capitalise on established and new high level collaborations with leading UK companies. In partnership with Industry we will shape new directions for the training of Civil Engineering researchers to meet current and future societal needs and aspirations. Specific impacts include:
- Highly skilled researchers with core technical skills: These future engineering leaders will have direct and significant technical, economic and social impacts for UK Civil Engineering and associated stakeholders. The requirement for 'New skills, and different applications of existing skills' (BIS, 2010) will be personified in our CDT graduates and these graduates will have immediate and wide ranging roles to play.
- A transformation in Civil Engineering Graduate Engineering at Cambridge: The new CDT MRes/PhD will offer a broad education as well as deliver world-class PhD research supervised by Academic experts.
- New forms of Industry/University partnerships: Industry co-creation of the training curriculum and the shaping of research needs will lead to new forms of two-way engagement and partnerships.
- Availability of skilled personnel for UK employers: UK employers will derive significant benefit from employing PhD graduates from the Centre to act as catalysts for enterprise, knowledge exchange and innovation thereby leading to new business growth opportunities.
- Enhanced global competitiveness for industrial partners: The strength of our industrial support is evidence of the strong user pull for the Centre. CDT Industrial partners will be in a strong position to embrace the research innovations that emerge from the PhD projects.
- National and local government: The CDT will support policy makers with the mission for energy demand reduction, reduced whole life costs and the efficient management and maintenance of infrastructure and the built environment. The CDT research outcomes and PhD graduates with multi-disciplinary awareness will contribute to an evidence-based foundation for improved decision making. Some of our CDT Engineers will go on to roles in national and local government and hence will influence government decisions at the highest level.
- World-class research outcomes: Direct engagement and involvement with our key industrial partners will lead to research innovations that address industrially relevant national needs. Other academic institutions and research organisations will benefit from working with the Centre to collectively advance knowledge. The CDT will thereby strengthen the University of Cambridge's reputation for Civil Engineering research excellence.
- Professional Engineering institutions: Institutions will leverage the raised profile of UK Civil Engineering with decision makers and across allied research fields and industrial sectors.
- Wider professional engagement: Creation of powerful informal professional networks between researchers, practitioners, CDT alumni and a stream of CDT students, working internationally and supported with social media.
- Future generations of Civil Engineers: Through the Centre's outreach activity, school pupils, their teachers and parents will gain insight into the importance of Civil Engineering thereby enthusing future generations of engineers.
- Raising the profile of Civil Engineering: Public engagement will lead to a better appreciation of the Civil Engineering challenges associated with sustainable infrastructure and built environment. This will promote trust and raise the profile of Civil Engineers in the service of society.
- Highly skilled researchers with core technical skills: These future engineering leaders will have direct and significant technical, economic and social impacts for UK Civil Engineering and associated stakeholders. The requirement for 'New skills, and different applications of existing skills' (BIS, 2010) will be personified in our CDT graduates and these graduates will have immediate and wide ranging roles to play.
- A transformation in Civil Engineering Graduate Engineering at Cambridge: The new CDT MRes/PhD will offer a broad education as well as deliver world-class PhD research supervised by Academic experts.
- New forms of Industry/University partnerships: Industry co-creation of the training curriculum and the shaping of research needs will lead to new forms of two-way engagement and partnerships.
- Availability of skilled personnel for UK employers: UK employers will derive significant benefit from employing PhD graduates from the Centre to act as catalysts for enterprise, knowledge exchange and innovation thereby leading to new business growth opportunities.
- Enhanced global competitiveness for industrial partners: The strength of our industrial support is evidence of the strong user pull for the Centre. CDT Industrial partners will be in a strong position to embrace the research innovations that emerge from the PhD projects.
- National and local government: The CDT will support policy makers with the mission for energy demand reduction, reduced whole life costs and the efficient management and maintenance of infrastructure and the built environment. The CDT research outcomes and PhD graduates with multi-disciplinary awareness will contribute to an evidence-based foundation for improved decision making. Some of our CDT Engineers will go on to roles in national and local government and hence will influence government decisions at the highest level.
- World-class research outcomes: Direct engagement and involvement with our key industrial partners will lead to research innovations that address industrially relevant national needs. Other academic institutions and research organisations will benefit from working with the Centre to collectively advance knowledge. The CDT will thereby strengthen the University of Cambridge's reputation for Civil Engineering research excellence.
- Professional Engineering institutions: Institutions will leverage the raised profile of UK Civil Engineering with decision makers and across allied research fields and industrial sectors.
- Wider professional engagement: Creation of powerful informal professional networks between researchers, practitioners, CDT alumni and a stream of CDT students, working internationally and supported with social media.
- Future generations of Civil Engineers: Through the Centre's outreach activity, school pupils, their teachers and parents will gain insight into the importance of Civil Engineering thereby enthusing future generations of engineers.
- Raising the profile of Civil Engineering: Public engagement will lead to a better appreciation of the Civil Engineering challenges associated with sustainable infrastructure and built environment. This will promote trust and raise the profile of Civil Engineers in the service of society.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Keith Seffen (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Barney Salsby (Student) |