Case Studies
Globally renowned for its teaching and research, the University of Leeds is one of the leading electronic and electrical engineering schools in the UK. The Faculty of Engineering has a staff in excess of 700 serving 3,000 students from more than 100 countries. In addition to its well-regarded academic program for undergraduate and graduate students, Leeds is home to world-class research labs that receive regular visitors from abroad from both academia and industry. Close industry links ensure that the university is responsive to the needs of both research and teaching. Notable activities at Leeds include high-frequency and terahertz electronics research and the National Facility for Innovative Robotic Systems.
High-Frequency and Terahertz Labs
Leeds has fully equipped labs that focus on electronics research of the electromagnetic spectrum up to 20 terahertz (THz). One such facility is the Roger Pollard HighFrequency Measurements Laboratory, which has network analyzer capability to 1.1 THz. This spectrum is of interest because many materials exhibit unique terahertz properties that are useful for imaging and material identification. A major focus of the research is in high-frequency communications and sensing for healthcare applications. Over the years, Leeds has made significant contributions to this area of research.
The university has advanced the state of the art for understanding the fundamental interactions of terahertz radiation with a wide range of materials, including in the area of security applications, such as illegal drugs and explosives. “One challenge the Leeds team is taking on is to investigate the feasibility of developing a cost-effective handheld instrument for measuring terahertz-range signals,” says Professor John Cunningham, chair of nanoelectronics and director of the Institute of Microwaves and Photonics.
Another application being researched at Leeds is a high-power terahertz signal source running at double the output power of current sources today. Such a single-frequency signal source would have important applications for satellite communications with benefits in the areas of atmospheric observations and climate change.
Robotics Lab
Another strong area of research at Leeds over the past 20 years is robotics. To complement this effort, the university opened the National Facility for Innovative Robotic Systems in October 2014. With more than £4 million in funding, the robotics facility plays a part in the British government’s goal to improve the country’s international competitiveness.
“The lab is equipped with a broad set of state-of-the-art technologies, including the latest 3D printing technology and high-precision manufacture and assembly systems,” said Professor Ian Robertson, centenary chair in microwave and millimetre-wave circuits and head of school.
Robotics research at Leeds spans a range of applications. For example, the university investigates small-scale custom robotics that can cheaply and effectively explore industrial facilities that monitor safe gas levels or inspect pipes. Another area of opportunity is the use of robotics in the medical field. Robots can assist with a patient’s rehabilitation after a stroke, for example. The most diverse application of robotics is the exploration of Egypt’s pyramids. Robots have explored pyramid interiors with cameras and measuring devices to evaluate materials and other information. One such expedition yielded pictures of 4,500-year-old markings from inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu, gathered by a robot explorer designed in part by University of Leeds engineers. These images may provide clues as to how the pyramid was built.
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