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The Materials Engineering Group's research is based around three areas: residual stress measurement using advanced experimental techniques; materials characterization for novel materials and for structural integrity assessments; and high temperature materials behaviour and performance.We are world leaders in the development and application of neutron and synchrotron X-ray methods for residual stress measurement in materials. We work closely with partners in industry, particularly in the aerospace and nuclear power sectors.

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The OpenSpace Research Centre's research group in this area seeks to better understand and engage the sorts of conceptual and practical issues at stake at the intersection of environmental concerns, politics and justice through a series of conversations designed to connect and extend members' work on such issues as the distinctiveness of East European environmentalisms, critiques of forestry governance, property rights and resource use, political ecology and the global South, new forms of consumption on former communist states, media decision-making and environmental issues, sustainability and governance, and more. Such conversations have generated collective work on questioning neoliberal environmental governance, and have also significantly contributed to the ongoing 'Interdependence Day' and 'Creative Climate' projects.

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Research is undertaken in: * Design theory and methods, including studies of designers' processes, cognition, behaviour and performance. * Creativity in design and innovation. * Ethics in design. * Computational design; shape grammars; haptic interfaces; generative methods. * Comparative design across domains. * Design usability in products; usability in design tools; prototyping.Potential supervisors * Dr Claudia Eckert * Dr Steve Garner * Dr Peter Lloyd * Dr Nicole Schadewitz

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The uniqueness of our research lies in the emphasis on the generic aspects of design activity, rather than developing specific disciplinary areas. The Design Group is a unique teaching and research unit comprising a multidisciplinary team of staff.

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The OU has a wide-ranging approach to international development which focuses on (i) Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, and (ii) Institutional and Human Capabilities in Development. One of the key areas we work in is around Asian Drivers.

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Research is undertaken in: * Design of products and services including user friendly eco-design. * Energy systems development, policy and strategy. * Energy efficiency and conservation in buildings. * Sustainable transport designs and transport policies. * Use and transport modelling. * Design for reduced environmental impact. * Efficient design of buildings and urban environments.Potential supervisors * Dr Mathew Cook * Dr Emma Dewberry * Dr Claudia Eckert * Dr Stephen Peake * Professor Stephen Potter * Professor Robin Roy

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Research is undertaken in: * Applications of complexity theory. * Complexity in the design of products, processes and organisations. * Simulation, modelling and design of very large sociotechnical systems. * Design of autonomous machine systems, including cooperating and swarm robots; education and entertainment robotics. * Kinematic design of dextrous and agile robotic systems. * Machine vision and intelligent geometry; pattern recognition; computer vision.Potential supervisors * Dr Katerina Alexiou * Professor Jeff Johnson * Dr Joe Rooney * Dr Theodore Zamenopoulos

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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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