Research in CEPS
The School's research is spread across a broad range of subjects, ranging from astrophysics to tribology.We briefly outline our activities here, and link through to specialist research websites for detailed information. Students on both undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses can have opportunities to work alongside researchers during their degree programmes, and research students become part of a research group during their time with us.
Astrophysics
'The Jeremiah Horrocks Institute (JHI) brings together research staff and students with interests in: '
- Solar physics - coronal holes, solar flares, coronal mass ejection and Sun-Earth interactions.
- Stellar astrophysics - rotating and vibrating stars, circumstellar matter, evolved stars, pre-main sequence stars and the solar-stellar connection.
- Extragalactic astrophysics - galactic chemical evolution, quasar jets, large-scale structure of the Universe and cosmology.
Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is an exciting area of science in which mathematics, statistics, computer science and biology merge together with the aim to enable the discovery of new biological insights to further our understanding of living systems. The recent completion of the Human Genome Project and the advent of technologies such as DNA chips have revolutionised the life sciences, enabling the biological processes to be studied far more comprehensively than was previously possible.
Child Computer Interaction
The ChiCI Group is made up of a team of individuals who share a common belief that the usability of technology for children is worth special consideration. Most of the members of the group have offices in the Radnor building which is in the main Preston campus at UCLAN.
Soft matter physics
Computational physics is one of most exciting and fast developing areas of modern physics, where theoretical physics meets powerful multiprocessor supercomputers. As a part of the Centre for Materials Science the Computational Physics Lab focuses on new technological areas — nano-structured soft materials and biologically inspired materials. Our special interest is in understanding the fundamental physics of self-assembly of such materials, which will lead to the design of materials of the future.
We are constantly looking for enthusiastic students, post-docs, visitors and collaborators. Prospective candidates are encouraged to inquire about possibilities by email.
We are currently validating two new degrees relevant to this area: Computational Physics and Mathematical Physics.
Wind energy engineering
Wind energy provides energy security at a time when decreasing global reserves of fossil fuel threatens the long-term sustainability of energy supply. The UK government intends that by 2020, 35% of the electricity produced by the country should be renewably generated, and has highlighted wind energy development as a significant factor in achieving this target. The UK’s Northwest is well situated to meet a substantial fraction of the UK’s renewable energy market though wind energy generation, with Envirolink Northwest describing it as ‘the ideal place to develop the next generation of renewable resources’.
Nuclear technology
Nuclear Science & Technology plays a key role in a number of industrial and public service sectors in the UK. Traditionally, these have included power generation, fuel manufacture, defence and health. The World’s first commercial nuclear power station started generating electricity in 1956 at Calder Hall in Cumbria, since when the North West has become the UK centre for civil nuclear science & technology, fuel fabrication and recycling.
Signal & Image Processing
Signal and image processing are the main areas of expertise of the Applied Digital Signal and Image Processing (ADSIP) Research Centre which works closely with leading European aerospace companies and a number of National Health Service (NHS) Trusts.
Tribology
The Jost Institute for Tribotechnology is a centre of excellence for industrially-relevant research, teaching and knowledge transfer within the area of tribotechnology.
Research degrees
The School offers suitably qualified graduates the opportunity to study for a postgraduate degree by research in one of the Schools research centres. Graduates, normally, with a first class or upper second class honours degree in a suitable subject are able to register for a MPhil with the possibility of transferring to a PhD after eighteen months. Research opportunities are also available part-time (please contact the School directly).
