Loughborough University

Post-Doc, Department of Materials

Research Associate

About

I am currently a post doctoral research associate at Loughborough University's Department of Materials researching superalloys and steels for power plant applications. For this research I make use of many characterisation tools including (but not limited to): SEM for EDS and EBSD, FIB milling for site-specific cross-sectioning and TEM sample lift-outs and TEM.

I was previously at the University of Sheffield where I conducted research under the guidance of Dr Conny Rodenburg ( http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/materials/staff/research/fellows/rodenburg.html ). My research there was concerned with the mapping of dopants in semiconductors using the secondary electron signal produced in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) - a phenomenon called dopant contrast. The aim of this research was to establish the exact mechanisms of dopant contrast so that a complete theoretical model can eventually be established. As well as this, I was also involved in the use of focused ion beam (FIB) tools to produce site-specific cross-sections of doped silicon. Dopant contrast is highly sensitive to surface condition so any damage caused by the FIB milling must be removed prior to imaging.

Previous to this, I completed a PhD at Loughborough University on the oxidation of austenitic and duplex stainless steels during simulated reheat. During this work I carried out numerous oxidation experiments in air and simulated reheat gas. The resulting oxide scales were examined using SEM with site-specific cross-sections produced using FIB. Due to the precision obtainable using FIB, cross-sections were produced of small initial oxide nodules to establish the relationship between microstructure and breakaway oxidation, particularly on duplex grades. Please see a copy of my thesis at: http://hdl.handle.net/2134/4435.

Please contact me if you have any questions regarding my current or previous research.

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