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The Plasma Science and Engineering Research Group members research the science and applications of the ionised gases that are often called technological plasmas. Such plasmas have applications as diverse as light sources, large display televisions, medical instruments and a variety of material processing systems.From both scientific and technological viewpoints, a key feature of the plasmas that we study are that they are far from thermodynamic equilibrium, which means that the atoms and molecules in the background gas have a much lower temperature than any ions and electrons present in the ionised gas.Our research is concerned with fundamental studies of these plasmas and development of measurement techniques to monitor and control them, including:- Applications of plasma measurements to monitoring and control.- Free plasma boundaries.- Microdischarges and other atmospheric pressure sources.- Plasma ignition/breakdown.- Novel plasma sources for surface treatments - DTI.- Electronegative plasmas.Our research is closely linked to other research in the Department of Physics and Astronomy within the Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Research Group relating to the study of electron interactions with molecules, including:- Electron induced chemistry.- Damage of DNA by UV light and low energy electrons.- Biomolecular clusters.- Theoretical studies of electron interactions with molecules.

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The Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Research Group investigates a wide range of fundamental and applied research including:- The study of physical and chemical processes in the atmosphere including global warming, ozone depletion and aerosol formation.- Many body theory and its applications to condensed matter studies including properties of graphene.- Experimental astrochemistry and astrobiology.- The study of cold atoms and the formation of optical lattices.- Experimental and theoretical study of electron molecule interactions- Irradiation of biomolecules and cellular material.- Biomolecular clusters.The group conducts theoretical and experimental interdisciplinary research with an international focus. Many of our projects are part of larger national and international programmes.

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The OU Materials Engineering Group has state-of-the-art facilities for materials characterization, with a strong focus on mechanical properties, fatigue and fracture, and forensic failure analysis. The group has electron microscopy (FEGSEM, TEM, and access to dual beam FIB/SEM), mechanical testing with capability up to 1200˚C, a large creep facility, nanoindentation, diffusion bonding, as well as optical microscopy and metallography.The group hosts around 16 full-time and 5 part-time research students many of whom have a focus on fabrication techniques for materials and structures.

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The OU Materials Engineering Group is internationally renowned for its work on the development and application of novel techniques for the measurement and analysis of residual stress. In addition to on-site equipment for residual stress analysis using X-ray diffraction, incremental hole drilling, and the contour method, we are intensive users of international neutron and synchrotron X-ray facilities.The group hosts around 16 full-time and 5 part-time research students, many of whom have a focus on residual stresses and their effects on performance.

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Music computing research at the OU is focused on devising and investigating new ways to exploit music psychology, embodied cognition, mobile and pervasive interaction, new representation methods and advanced computing techniques to empower musicians and to illuminate musical activities. In particular, we devise and investigate new ways to:- Empower beginners to participate with deep engagement in musical activities.- Give musical experts and practitioners new capabilities.- Cast new light on how music works.We are currently working on theory, principles, scenarios, applications, techniques and empirical results to improve user interfaces for composers in the areas of timbre, harmony and rhythm.The OU hosts generous laboratory facilities and specialist staff dedicated to empirical analysis of musical performance and of the acoustics of musical instruments.Potential research projects- Aspect-oriented music representation.- Harmony space: new interaction approaches for tonal harmony.- New user interfaces for musical timbre.- Musical acoustics (especially brass/wind instruments).

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The Acoustics Research Group has been in existence for over thirty years, carrying out internationally leading research in the fields of environmental acoustics, musical acoustics and the development of non-invasive acoustical measurement techniques.The three members of academic staff in the group hold positions in, and have strong links with, the Institute of Acoustics, the European Acoustics Association and the Acoustical Society of America. At any given time, the group hosts around five full-time research students and postdoctoral researchers, ensuring an active and focussed research community with full academic and technical support.Key facts- Circa £1 million external research funding obtained in past 3 years.- Established worldwide collaborations with other acoustics research institutions.- Strong links with musical instrument manufacturers and professional musicians.- All research students have the opportunity to present work at major international conferences.- Excellent opportunities for involvement in acoustics outreach activities.- Members of the group appear regularly in both the local and national media.FacilitiesAcoustic Research Group facilities include two anechoic chambers, a laser laboratory, a high speed camera, a scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer, professional quality microphones, as well as a wide range of measuring apparatus and high performance computing equipment.

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The Acoustics Research Group carries out work on developing and improving non-invasive techniques for measuring the acoustic impedance, impulse response and internal geometry of ducts such as musical wind instruments, airways and pipeline sections. Such techniques include acoustic pulse reflectometry, a two-microphone-four-calibrations impedance measurement procedure, and capillary-based impedance measurement methods.

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Environmental acoustics research carried out by the Acoustics Research Group includes work on improving the prediction of sound propagation outdoors, producing more effective noise barriers, increasing understanding of acoustic-to-seismic coupling mechanisms, and measuring the acoustic impedance of porous materials.The research is carried out by PhD students working individually or in collaboration with the group's other PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and academic staff.Potential research projectsProjects in all of the above areas are possible. Also, please approach us if you are interested in another topic that remains within the broad interests of the research group.Potential supervisors- Professor Keith Attenborough - Dr David Sharp - Dr Shahram Taherzadeh

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Musical acoustics research topics carried out by the Acoustics Research Group include investigating the effect of wall vibrations on the playing characteristics of brass instruments, analysing the importance of the bassoon crook to the instrument's playing properties, monitoring the result of the bending of instrument lead pipes during the manufacturing process, and making bore profile and input impedance measurements on woodwind and brass instruments.The research is carried out by PhD students working individually or in collaboration with the group's other PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and academic staff.Potential research projectsProjects in all of the above areas are possible. Also, please approach us if you are interested in another topic that remains within the broad interests of the research group.Potential supervisors- Professor Keith Attenborough - Dr David Sharp - Dr Shahram Taherzadeh

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