Materials, Advanced Design
&
Manufacturing
98
Keywords
Particulate, charged aerosol, complex plasmas
Expertise
Charged particles or aerosols are difficult to use and
often must be kept clean from contaminants such as dust
and aerosol particles; this pollution can affect plasma-
based processes such as semiconductor etching, film
deposition and processes in fusion reactors.
The University has leading expertise in the study of
complex plasmas which contain charged particles or
aerosols. Our studies, based on optical and electrostatic
diagnostic methods, allow us to determine particle
parameters and help with decontamination.
However, not all particulates are pollutants. We also
use particulates as tracers to help us visualise gaseous
and liquid flows. Our expertise in plasma dynamics and
modelling also enables us to assess how the addition of
particles to plasma may alter its properties.
Our knowledge of plasma-based production techniques
and the creation of bespoke plasmas using particulate
additives support industrial developments in power
production, catalysts, cleaning of air pollutants,
dust detection and the removal of contaminants from
fusion devices.
Capabilities and facilities
•
Growth of micro- and nano-particles made from
metals and dielectrics using gas discharges
•
Optical and electrostatic diagnostics of micron-sized
particles and aerosols
•
Complex plasma laboratory to study dynamic
phenomena in solids and liquids.
2.9
Complex plasmas and charged aerosols
Also see:
Materials, Advanced Design &
Manufacturing –
2.4
Technological plasma, page 92
Keywords
Welding, vision, robotics
Expertise
The University has been undertaking research on the
automation of arc welding processes since the early
1980
s. The early systems we developed used vision
feedback to adjust the welding parameters in real-time
and to control and maintain the weld penetration.
Subsequent research has developed seam trackers and
profile monitors which allow the complete automation of
the welding process. The vision systems sense the joint
location and shape, the weld pool size and its shape;
it then modifies, in real-time, the welding parameters to
maintain the optimum weld quality.
The systems we have developed have been applied to
the tungsten inert gas (TIG), metal inert gas (MIG) and
laser welding processes in a number of manufacturing
areas including: aerospace, automotive, oil and gas,
nuclear and shipbuilding. Our robotic systems allow full
automation of the welding process which increases the
quality of the parts manufactured and also moves manual
operators away from the hazardous welding environment.
Our success in applied research stems from our inter-
disciplinary projects which combine our knowledge and
expertise in arc welding systems and techniques with next
generation sensor systems and automation software.
We also draw on Liverpool’s renowned specialists in digital
imaging technologies and image and signal processing.
Capabilities and facilities
•
Robotic tungsten inert gas (TIG), metal inert gas
(
MIG) welding
•
Weld seam tracking
•
Weld penetration control.
2.10
Robotic arc welding
Also see:
Digital Technologies –
1.
Imaging and detection, page 141
2.
Signal and information processing
and communications, page 145
