Photo: Custom designed and manufactured 3D printer for making engineered concrete parts
Research Theme Members
Areas of Expertise
Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing), Engineering Design, Manufacturing Processes, Stirling Engines, Solar Energy Conversion
Research Interests
Additive Manufacturing, Stirling Engines, Biomedical Engineering, Solar Energy Conversion, Concrete casting using 3D printed formwork
Areas of Expertise
Lightweight structures
Research Interests
Design for Additive Manufacture, Composites manufacturing, repair technologies and testing, Bio-inspired design.
Picture: Multi-material, multi-model, topology optimisation. High-performance 3D printed parts, automated workflows, reduced defects and material savings
Areas of Expertise
Engineering design process; analysis of complex engineering systems, intellectual property
Research Interests
Engineering design process analysis; Design for people with tetraplegia; human movement, analysis of large flexible structures (Len Lye); intellectual property
Photo: Laser 3D scanning and 3D printing used for the reproduction of terracotta statues
Current Postgraduate Opportunities
Project Title: Analysis of heavy vehicle towing forces
Project summary: New Zealand roads are, in general, poorly maintained, traverse undulating topography and have a variety of surface types (smooth asphalt motorways, sealed roads and unsealed back roads). Such conditions make them some of the harshest in the world when it comes to loads on heavy vehicles (HV). New Zealand’s unique road conditions form the basis for HV towing connections to be designed to a minimum standard. New Zealand legislation requires draw beams and drawbars to be designed to NZS 5446:2007. This standard provides design loads, based on a Maximum Towed Mass (of the towing connection), to be used in the design analysis of such components. These design loads are based on strain gauge data collected in the mid-1980s. Force/strain measurement technology and techniques have vastly improved in the decades since. The purpose of this research is to experimentally verify the towing loads on heavy trucks and trailers.
Funding/stipend: Funded
Application deadline: Continuous
Project Title: Dolly Stower
Project summary: The aim of this project is to develop a semi-automated or assistive trailer dolly stowage system for safely loading logging trailers onto logging trucks.
Funding/stipend: Funded
Application deadline: Continuous
Areas of Expertise
Medical devices, Biomechanics, Biomaterials, and diagnostic sensors for improving people's lives
Research Interests
Wireless, implantable sensor system to measure the progress of spinal fusion, MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical-systems) sensors, Biomaterials for implantable sensors (postgrad-led), Biomechanics, including gait analysis and rehabilitation, Smart climbing holds for improving athlete performance in sport climbing (postgrad-led), Designing point-of-care devices for detecting biomarkers in the blood, Sensors for monitoring stress fractures in racehorses (postgrad-led, BIC sponsored), Wireless communication and power using ultrasound (postgrad-led), Hybrid EMG/EEG control of upper limb prosthetics (postgrad-led), Improving the comfort and usefulness of virtual reality environments, and Implementing means of improving the systems for training, design, donation, repair, and disposal of medical devices in developing countries
Photo: 3D printing research using a novel stencil method
Current Postgraduate Opportunities
Project Title: Ongoing
Project summary: There are no current funded opportunities with Debbie, but she is regularly applying for new funding. Some funding requires a named student, and Debbie supports students with their own research interests, so please contact her directly to discuss how to apply and if she is available to supervise. additional postgraduates.
Funding/stipend: Seeking funding
Project Title: Biomarkers of a Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
Project summary: This is a joint project with the Christchurch Heart Institute. We are currently applying for funding to support a PhD student (3 years) and a post-doc (2 years).
Funding/stipend: Applying for funding
Application deadline: If successful with grant proposal, Jan 2025
Project Title: Biomechanical Gait Analysis for Stroke Recovery Using Instrumented Treadmill and Augmented Reality (AR)
Project summary: This is a joint project with the HIT Lab and is part of the Sports, Health, and Rehabilitation Research Cluster (SHARRC)
Funding/stipend: No current funding available but is part of an initiative to develop SHARRC’s research impact.
Application deadline: November 2024
Areas of Expertise
Engineering noise control, acoustic design
Research Interests
Environmental noise, acoustic ecology, product noise control, building acoustics, human response to noise
Photo: Planetary gearbox manufacture for a student designed electric car race
Current Postgraduate Opportunities
Project Title: Noise through gaps
Project summary: This project is concerned with sound wave behaviour through small apertures. The research has application in the propagation of sound through gaps in assemblies such as windows and doors.
Funding/stipend: Self-funded
Application deadline: Open
Project Title: Noise dosimetry in the workplace
Project summary: This project is concerned with developing a complete image capture, sound level exposure system for use by plant safety managers or acoustic consultants, building on an in-house prototype. Case studies using the system will validate the concept.
Funding/stipend: Self-funded
Application deadline: Open
Project Title: Accelerometer calibration facility
Project summary: The measurement of vibration and shock of machinery and plant and equipment, relies on transducers that respond to displacement, velocity or acceleration. The quality of the measured data is dependent upon the accuracy of the transducer - whose performance is checked by calibration using a reference standard. The objective of this project is to develop a facility for calibration of these transducers across appropriate frequency ranges.
Funding/stipend: Self-funded
Application deadline: Open
Areas of Expertise
Machine design, Manufacturing, Industrial engineering, Human factors, Management of design, Life cycle analysis
Research Interests
Industrial and manufacturing engineering (including lean), Human factors (including psychosocial, ergonomics, industrial biomechanics), Safety in design, Electrical power and energy systems modelling, Productivity, Railway engineering
Photo: Custom designed and manufactured 3D printer for making engineered concrete parts
Current Postgraduate Opportunities
Project Title: Development of safety management systems
Project summary: All organisations need safety management systems (SMS). Yet it is unclear how these may be systematically developed. There is also the complication that small to medium enterprises (SMEs) need to progressively develop a SMS as the organisation grows. This project intends to use a survey and interview methodology (mixed methods) to identify the critical elements in a SMS along the SME evolution. Note: The project requires a high level of English fluency because of the methodology. The project could be suitable as a part time enrolment for someone working in industry, and might be able to be done off campus.
Funding/stipend: Self-funded
Application deadline: Open
Project Title: Life Cycle Analysis
Funding/stipend: Self-funded
Application deadline: Open
Project Title: Logistics
Funding/stipend: Self-funded
Application deadline: Open
Areas of Expertise
Solid & structural mechanics, Finite element analysis, Optimal design
Research Interests
Sports engineering, medical devices, composite materials, multi-functional lattice structures, process engineering
Tandem frame
Func graded TPMS
Swept coaxial blades
Current Postgraduate Opportunities
Project Title: Optimal design of low-noise UAV propellers
Project summary: Swept back propeller blades are quieter than straight blades in a co-axial contra-rotating arrangement. However, the optimal design of such blades is an open research question. This project will involve collaboration with the University of Auckland.
Funding/stipend: TBC
Application deadline: Open
Project Title: Spinning Disks
Project summary: Theoretical analysis, design and manufacture of a novel artwork by internationally renowned New Zealand artist Len Lye. “Spinning Disks” is a kinetic sculpture incorporating a series of large thin metal discs suspended from a pylon structure above a pond. The discs rotate about vertical axes on flexible shafts whilst pressurised water jets impact the bottom of the discs. Co-supervised by Shayne Gooch.
Funding/stipend: TBC
Application deadline: Open
Areas of Expertise
Manufacturing Processes, Production Management
Research Interests
Lean Manufacturing, Cross Cultural Management
Areas of Expertise
Mechanical prototype design and fabrication, Machining, Welding (TIG/MIG), Additive manufacturing. Non-destructive testing.
Research Interests
Remote/Automated NDT inspection, maintenance and repair, Characterisation and optimisation of Additive manufactured parts, Broad interests within Motorsport and Aerospace industries.
Photo: C Motorsport - 2023 FSAE-E champions, Driver - Jack Stokes. Image owner – Isha Patel, UCM Team Principal 2024
Photo:Tensile testing FDM printed TPU with high elongation Extensometer. Image owner – Congyu Xu, UC PhD Candidate
Areas of Expertise
Engineering Design, Disability Strength Assessment
Research Interests
Engineering Design, Inclusive Design, Strength Assessment, Rolling Resistance, Engineering Education, Development of Protective Sports Headgear, Clinched Joints
Areas of Expertise
Intelligent Design and Manufacturing, additive manufacturing
Research Interests
Artificial Intelligence, such as Large Language Model (LLM), Spiking Neuron Network (SNN) for Advanced Design and Manufacturing
Photo: Wheel hub manufacture of a student designed electric race car
Current Postgraduate Opportunities
Project Title: LLM based intelligent design and manufacturing
Project summary: Develop customized LLM technologies for intelligent design and manufacturing applications, such as improving efficiency, sustainability, knowledge generation, engineering education, etc.
Funding/stipend: Self-funded
Application deadline: Continuous
Project Title: Smart Additive Manufacturing (AM)
Project summary: Develop AI technologies for AM in term of material and process optimization, quality control, high-speed printing using biomaterials
Funding/stipend: Self-funded
Application deadline: Continuous
