The Digital Metal CDT brings together leading experts from the Universities of Leicester, Warwick, Birmingham, Nottingham, and Loughborough. Their research spans advanced manufacturing, metals and alloys engineering, digital twinning of manufacturing processes, right-first-time manufacturing for sustainability, and supply chain digitalisation. Together, they provide the multidisciplinary expertise needed to transform the metals industry through digital innovation.

Supervisors (click to view)

InstitutionsResearch Area Email
Dr Essam Abo-SerieSchool of Engineering, University of Leicester Cooling efficiency & topology optimisation in HPDC toolse.aboserie@leicester.ac.uk
Dr Mohammed AzeemSchool of Engineering, University of LeicesterMicrostructure-properties in metals & advanced characterisationmohammed.azeem@leicester.ac.uk
Dr Reza BasiriniaSchool of Engineering, University of LeicesterTopology optimisation in additive manufacturingrb662@leicester.ac.uk
Dr Victor CedenoSchool of Engineering, University of LeicesterDigital twinning & incremental forming of metalsvmcc1@leicester.ac.uk
Prof. Hong DongSchool of Engineering, University of LeicesterProcessing of aerospace materials & digital manufacturinghd38@leicester.ac.uk
Dr Gebril El-FallahSchool of Engineering, University of LeicesterBainitic steels for fusion energygmae2@leicester.ac.uk
Dr Elsiddig ElmukashfiSchool of Engineering, University of LeicesterHigh-fidelity models & metamaterials for hydrogenelsiddig.elmukashfi@leicester.ac.uk
Dr Bing JiSchool of Engineering, University of LeicesterShielding & packaging for space electronicsbing.ji@leicester.ac.uk
Dr Yang LiuSchool of Engineering, University of LeicesterComputer vision for micro-mechanicsyl832@leicester.ac.uk
Dr Shiladitya PaulSchool of Engineering, University of LeicesterAlloys for CCS & hydrogen barrier applicationsshiladitya.paul@leicester.ac.uk
Dr Timothy PearceSchool of Engineering, University of LeicesterML for molecule properties & bioelectronicstcp1@leicester.ac.uk
Dr Harold RuizSchool of Engineering, University of LeicesterDigital twinning for welding in fusion structuresdr.harold.ruiz@leicester.ac.uk
Prof. Csaba SinkaSchool of Engineering, University of LeicesterDigital twinning of manufacturing processesics4@leicester.ac.uk
Dr Xuefang WangSchool of Engineering, University of LeicesterDigital tools in manufacturing supply chainsxw259@leicester.ac.uk
Dr Yang XiaoSchool of Engineering, University of LeicesterOptimisation of electromagnetic core designyx224@leicester.ac.uk
Dr Jinning ZhangSchool of Engineering, University of LeicesterDigital twin for propulsion system controljz388@leicester.ac.uk
Prof. Ashiq AnjumSchool of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, University of Leicester Self-learning digital twins & physics-informed MLaa1180@leicester.ac.uk
Dr Daniel HaoSchool of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, University of Leicester d.hao@leicester.ac.uk
Dr Larissa SerdukovaSchool of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, University of Leicester Stochastic & vibro-impact systems for metalsls563@leicester.ac.uk
Prof. Shigang YueSchool of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, University of Leicester Robotics, vision systems & bio-inspired learningsy237@leicester.ac.uk
Dr Larissa SerdukovaSchool of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, University of LeicesterStochastic dynamical systems and digital-enabled RFT manufacturing, stochastic digital twins for defect prediction in forging
Dr Daniel BearupSchool of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, University of LeicesterModeling and simulation of ecological systems, network structure, and dynamics
Dr Yakun JuSchool of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, University of LeicesterAI-driven surface inspection in metal manufacturing
Dr Genovefa KefalidouSchool of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, University of LeicesterHuman-robot interaction, user-centered AI, human factors engineering, and multimodal user experience
Dr John DrakeSchool of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, University of LeicesterMathematical modeling and optimization of industrial design problems, automated metaheuristic configuration
Prof. Paul LedgerSchool of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, University of LeicesterAlgorithms and inverse approaches for eddy current testing in metals, numerical simulation, and digital twins for engineering design
Dr Alberto PaganiniSchool of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, University of LeicesterOptimal design, numerical simulation, and optimization for engineering applications
Prof. Nicola BatemanSchool of Business , University of Leicester Operations & supply chain management in metal manufacturingnab34@leicester.ac.uk
Dr Meng JiaSchool of Business , University of LeicesterCircularity & digitalisation in metal industrymj302@leicester.ac.uk
Prof. Cris BennettUniversity of Nottingham Mechanics of Metals, modelling of cold spray particle impact, modelling of mechanical properties, friction stir weldingepzcjb@nottingham.ac.uk
Prof. Philip ShipwayUniversity of NottinghamTribology and wear, protective coatings and surfaces for wearEmzphs@nottingham.ac.uk
Dr James RousUniversity of NottinghamCreep and fatigue of high temperature components, modelling and testing of additive manufacturing, mechanical properties from novel materials test ezzjpr@nottingham.ac.uk
Dr Chris HydeUniversity of NottinghamMachine learning for plant lifetime prediction, numerical simulation, mathematical modellingezzcjh@nottingham.ac.uk
Dr Luke ParryUniversity of NottinghamDigital metal additive manufacturingezzlap@nottingham.ac.uk
Dr Fang XuUniversity of NottinghamNanomaterials production and characterisation, coating deposition, materials for electrical revolutionezzfx@nottingham.ac.uk
Dr Chris EllisUniversity of NottinghamMachine learning and data-driven modelling techniques to fluid dynamics and turbulence modelling problemsezzee@nottingham.ac.uk
Dr Geert De MaereUniversity of NottinghamOptimisation of real life engineering problem, theoretical frameworkpszgd@nottingham.ac.uk
Dr Grazziela FigueredoUniversity of NottinghamMachine learning and data science to manufacturing processespmzgf@nottingham.ac.uk
Prof. Tanvir Hussain University of NottinghamTanvir.Hussain@nottingham.ac.uk
Prof. Moataz AttallahUniversity of Birmingham Advanced materials processing, focusing on additive manufacturing, powder processing, friction joining, and superplastic forming of metallic materials
Prof. Paul BowenUniversity of BirminghamFracture and fatigue of alloys and composites, crack growth resistance, microstructural failure mechanisms, elevated temperature performance, and component behavior prediction
Prof. David N BrownUniversity of BirminghamMagnetic materials and their manufacturing processes, including novel compositions and fabrication techniques
Dr Biao CaiUniversity of BirminghamSynchrotron and neutron-based characterization methods, tomographic imaging, diffraction, and mechanistic approaches for materials development
Prof. Yu-Lung ChiuUniversity of BirminghamPhysical metallurgy, microstructural characterization with electron microscopy, small-scale mechanical characterization, and advanced alloys for aerospace, nuclear, and automotive applications
Prof. Sam CruchleyUniversity of BirminghamMechanical properties, oxidation and corrosion interactions in high-performance alloys, microstructure optimization through advanced manufacturing techniques
Prof. Nick GreenUniversity of BirminghamManufacturing technology, solidification science, shape casting, process modeling, and experimental process development
Prof. Sandy (Alexander) KnowlesUniversity of BirminghamNuclear materials, advanced alloys for extreme environments (nuclear fusion and fission, aerospace turbines, solar power)
Prof. Andrew J MorrisUniversity of BirminghamComputational physics, quantum mechanical modeling of materials, development of the OptaDOS software, and applications to lithium-ion batteries
Dr Richard SherridanUniversity of BirminghamMagnetic materials processing, recovery and recycling, rare earth permanent magnets, and pilot-scale rare earth alloy strip casting.
Dr Yuanbo Tony TangUniversity of BirminghamProcessing, micromechanics, and design of high-performance structural materials including superalloys and titanium for aerospace and energy
Prof. Allan WaltonUniversity of BirminghamCritical and magnetic materials, processing of permanent magnets, solid-state hydrogen storage, hydrogen processing, coating technologies, and recycling of rare earth materials
Dr Mark WardUniversity of BirminghamMathematical modeling and process improvement in materials processing, including remelting, welding, additive manufacturing, and sensing/control techniques.
Dr Nils WarnkenUniversity of BirminghamMaterials modeling, phase transformations, phase-field modeling, thermodynamics of metals and alloys, and microstructure evolution
Prof. Paul WitheyUniversity of BirminghamCasting technology, single crystal casting, grain defects in single crystals, furnace technologies, and production methods