Priyanka Ghosh
(Group Chair)
MTC
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Priyanka is an Advanced Research Engineer within the Laser Processing team at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry. Her research focuses on high-power laser processing of advanced materials and developing in-process monitoring and control techniques for laser material processing.
http://www.linkedin.com
/in/priyanka-ghosh-738656151
Laser interests: Laser Machining, Laser-material Interactions, In-Process Monitoring of Laser Drilling, Finite Element Analysis, Sustainable Manufacturing
Neda Baktash
(Group Secretary)
Coherent, Glasgow
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Neda is a Staff Laser Development Engineer at Coherent’s Glasgow site. She works on ultrafast lasers suitable for a wide range of industrial and scientific application areas. Neda previously worked at TRUMPF, Southampton and also on the Petawatt Vulcan laser at RAL’s Central Laser Facility.
https://www.linkedin.com/
in/neda-baktash-miet-4261b721/
Laser interests: Ultrafast Fibre Lasers, Laser Material Processing
Donald Risbridger
(AILU Steering Committee)
Heriot-Watt University
Donald is a Research Associate at Heriot Watt University. His research focuses on automating optical alignment tasks using both robotic instruments and software-controlled solutions. These methods are compared to manual adjustment methods used by laser experts through human behaviour analysis.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/
donald-risbridger-a8316b109/
Laser interests: Optical Systems Design, Automation, Ultrafast Laser Processing, Laser Surgery, Machine Learning
Amirhossein Sadeghian
Coventry University
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Amirhossein is a Research Fellow at the Laser Processing and Joining Group, the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME), Coventry University. His current research focuses on building a digital twin for laser-based additive manufacturing processes.
http://linkedin.com/in/
amirhossein-sadeghian
Laser interests: Laser Materials Processing, Additive Manufacturing, Laser Welding, In-process Monitoring, Metallurgy
Ioannis Bitharas
Heriot-Watt University
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Ioannis is a Research Associate at Heriot-Watt University. His research focuses on understanding and improving novel laser and plasma-based processes, such as additive manufacturing, welding and surgery.
https://www.linkedin.com/
in/ioannis-bitharas-14840b83/
Laser interests: Additive Manufacturing, Multiphysics Modelling, Optical Diagnostics, Laser-Material Interactions, Arc Welding
Tianzhu Sun
University of Warwick
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Tianzhu is an assistant professor at WMG, the University of Warwick. His research activities are focused on advanced joining techniques for automotive alloys.
Helen Elkington
MTC
Helen is a Research Engineer within the Laser Processing team at The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry. Over the next few years, she will be working on developing the high power water jet guided laser system for cutting, drilling, and machining advanced composite materials.
https://www.linkedin.com/
in/helen-elkington-7a80b5a8/
Laser interests: Laser Machining, Laser-Material Interactions, Composites, Circular Economy
Mitchell Leering
MTC
Mitchell is an Advanced Research Engineer within the Laser Processing group at The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry. His current research focuses on developing rate-based machining capabilities at the MTC in laser micro-hole drilling and remote laser cutting.
https://www.linkedin.com/
in/mitchell-leering/
Laser interests: Laser Machining, Laser-Materials Interactions, Finite Element Analysis, Hydrogen, Electrification
Anju Jolly
Coventry University
Anju is a joint PhD student at Coventry University and the University of Mons, Belgium. Her research investigates the feasibility of electrochemical methods for surface defect mitigation on metal additively manufactured (AM) parts and to improve the overall mechanical performance of the built parts.
Venkat Vivek Pamarthi
Warwick University
Vivek is a process monitoring and modelling researcher currently in the third year of his PhD at the Laser Beam Welding Group at Warwick Manufacturing Group, UK. His research interests focus on modelling crack susceptibility of laser welding and developing novel in-process monitoring of cracking using image processing techniques.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/
venkat-vivek-pamarthi-2366a6121
Laser interests: In-Process Monitoring of Laser Welding, Beam Shaping
Antonia Barnard
University of Hull
Antonia is a PhD student in the department of Physics at the University of Hull sponsored by Luxinar Ltd working in the field of laser-material interactions. Her work encompasses the application of CO2 and ultrashort pulse lasers with an emphasis on how machine learning can inform the process in real time.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/
antonia-barnard-738574317/
Laser interests: modelling laser-matter interactions, RF CO2 lasers and laser machining
Jacob Lavin
Loughborough University
Jacob is a Research Associate in Thermofluids and Optics at Loughborough University. His current research focuses on the control and imaging of in-cylinder flow structures for hydrogen internal combustion engines (ICE). His PhD centred around advancing the technique of laser cutting as a nuclear decommissioning tool.
www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-lavin
Laser Cutting, Gas Dynamics in Laser Cutting, Lasers Measurement Techniques, Nuclear Decomissioning, Hydrogen ICE.
Kuladeep Rajamudili
Cranfield University
Kuladeep is a Research fellow at the Welding Engineering and Laser Processing Centre, Cranfield University. He currently works in laser, plasma and hybrid additive manufacturing for the research programme New Wire Additive Manufacturing (NEWAM).
David Rico-Sierra
Cranfield University
David is a Research Fellow in additive manufacturing at the Welding Engineering and Laser Processing (WELP) centre. This is an applied research organisation working in collaboration with manufacturing industries on topics such as industrial scale additive manufacturing using wire and arc-based technology and laser welding processing.
Daniel Wilson
University of Manchester
Daniel is a specialist technician at the University of Manchester, currently working towards completion of his PhD on the theme of analog control methods for lasers with the view to manufacturing stereo audio records for turntables using a single laser beam.
Greg Carter
Micrometric Ltd
Greg is a Project Engineer for Micrometric Ltd and has recently graduated from the University of Lincoln with a masters in Mechanical Engineering. Some of Greg’s tasks include designing new laser machines, designing and fabricating jigs for customers and maintenance of machines and lasers used at Micrometric.
https://www.linkedin.com/
in/greg-carter1/
Laser interests: laser materials processing, laser welding, laser drilling, and different applications of lasers.
Qamar Hayat
University of Warwick
Qamar’s background is in Metallurgical Engineering. In his current role at WMG, University of Warwick, Qamar leads projects centred around advancing the development of new laser welding processes for Aluminium alloys and advanced steels.
https://www.linkedin.com/
in/qamar-hayat-6a872524/
Laser Interests: Material Characterisation, Micromechanical Testing, Laser Welding, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Laser Beam Shaping
Andrew Cousins
Loughborough University
Andrew is currently studying for his PhD at Loughborough University. His topic of research is Laser applications in Nuclear Decommissioning. In particular he is investigating the fume generated during laser cutting and fume abatement to make laser cutting more viable in decommissioning activities.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cousins
Laser interests: Laser Fume, Nuclear, Fibre Lasers
Anand Mohan
University of Warwick
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Anand is a CAE simulation and VR/AR researcher at the Digital Lifecycle Management Research Group. His current project aims to advance smart manufacturing by eliminating barriers and accelerating the widespread use of collaborative robotics technology.
www.linkedin.com/in/dr-anand-mohan-9b2146a9
Laser interests: Multi-physics FEM/CAE Simulation, Process Monitoring, and Closed-loop Control Quality Control
Conghui Liu
University of Manchester
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Conghui is a research associate at the University of Manchester. A central aspect of her research is to develop a more physically based understanding of how the complex microstructures developed during laser-based advanced processing impact the performance.
http://linkedin.com/in/
conghui-liu-304021142
Laser interests: Material Characterisation; Deformation Micromechanics; Failure Mechanism & Prediction; Material Processing
Laurence Glaister
TWI
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Laurence is a Senior Technician at TWI Ltd, supporting innovative research and development projects in varying industry sectors applying laser welding, cutting and surface texturing techniques using a range of fibre lasers, manipulation and scanning methods.
https://www.linkedin.com/
in/laurence-g-53100a135
Laser interests: Laser Weld and Process Quality Monitoring, Robotic and Beam Manipulation, EV Battery Welding, Nuclear Decommissioning.
Jialin Dong
Loughborough University
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Jialin is a PhD student at Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical, and Manufacturing Engineering at Loughborough University. His research focuses on developing the methodology of laser surface engineering for biomedical applications, such as cardiovascular stents, aiming to improve biocompatibility, bioactivity, and mechanical properties.
https://www.linkedin.com
/in/jialin-dong-08949015b/
Laser interests: Laser Surface Engineering, Laser Materials Processing; Bioengineering and Healthcare Engineering; Materials Engineering and Processing; Materials Characterisation.
Ragavendran Meenakshisundaram
AMRC Northwest
Raga is a Technical Lead in laser welding at AMRC Northwest, University of Sheffield. He works on joining technologies for EV batteries and surface engineering.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ragavendran-meenakshisundaram-248b05215/
Laser interests: High-power laser welding, Laser surface engineering and materials processing.
How was the Group set up?
The Early Careers Group started out as the Early Careers Research Committee in October 2017 with the aim of increasing the visibility and engagement of younger members within AILU. The aim is that, as the careers of members of the ECG develop through industry and academia, they will maintain contact with AILU and encourage the next generation of industrial laser users.
There are added benefits for Group members, such as increased networking with peers at other academic/research institutions and businesses, profile-raising, and the addition of new skills to enhance CVs.
The initial focus of the ECG initiative was to produce a column of articles and features for the AILU’s magazine, “The Laser User”.
What’s happening now?
The role of the ECG had expanded since it was formed. Members regularly submit short features to their dedicated page in the magazine, and in addition, contribute in-depth 2-page R&D articles as well as observations on other authors’ articles. They are strategically developing the group to include commercial and industrial members so that the group reflects the make-up of all AILU members.
The Group meets twice a year, usually December and June. The one-day events are held in person, with online access, and hosted by one of the group members. The events begin with a morning seminar where members of the Group share their recent research and application experiences. The seminar is open to all and is followed by a tour of the laser facilities at the host institution. An ECG meeting is held in the afternoon for Group members.
The image shows members of the group with other seminar attendees at Cranfield University in June 2024.
Have a look at our LinkedIn page
Interested in joining?
Meetings are very informal and relaxed and you will be made very welcome. The group is open to anyone who fulfils the following criteria:
- current Masters and PhD students
- researchers who are within 5 years of a completed postgraduate degree
- those in the early stages of their career in industry
- others for whom supervisors/line managers would like to make a special case
If you are interested in joining please contact info@ailu.org.uk