I've been studying for over six years now, so I should be well educated when I finish at the end of 2002. My first degree is a BEng. (Hons.) in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering studied at The University of Edinburgh. I am currently studying for a PhD in Gas Turbine Instrumentation at Cranfield University, Bedfordshire, England. Below is a bit about my research at Cranfield.

The programme of research is titled Tip-timing Techniques in Gas Turbines, and aims to investigate a non-contact method of turbo-machinery blade tip deflection measurement. The method will involve capacitance probes. Through computer simulations and laboratory testing the suitability of capacitance probes as a blade tip-timing measurement instrument is being evaluated.

The vibration of turbo-machinery blades is an important event to understand, observe and predict and is the reason for developing a tip timing measurement system. Vibration leads to High Cycle Fatigue (HCF), which limits blade durability and life. HCF can result in blade failure, having expensive consequences for the engine involved. An understanding of blade vibration and HCF is therefore an additional objective of this research programme.

The commissioning of a new turbo-machine instrument-dedicated test facility will be achieved at Cranfield University Gas Turbine Laboratories. This will not only provide a means to experimentally develop a tip timing measurement system in the final year of this research programme, but will also provide Cranfield University with a unique compressor test facility dedicated to instrumentation. Electronics for control and instumentation will be designed and built to complete the commisioning of the test facility and to enable the experiment programme. Software will also be written to provide a user-friendly interface to control the facility and the experiments conducted using the compressor.

This Total Technology PhD research programme, conducted in association with Rotadata Ltd, Derby. also sets out to look at engineering management. Specifically a research project selection model has been studied, and its applicability evaluated.