PhD Studentship: Remote tactile sensing through optical fibres for robotics in extreme environments

We are offering a fully-funded PhD studentship working at the interface of photonics, robotics and fusion research. The project is focussed on the development of new imaging technologies to enhance robotic systems for use in the fusion industry. It is jointly funded by the University of Exeter and RACE (Remote Applications in Challenging Environments, https://race.ukaea.uk/ ), part of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) fusion research and development programme, creating robots for operating in some of the most challenging environments imaginable. UKAEA’s wider mission is to lead the commercial development of fusion power and related technology, and position the UK as a leader in sustainable nuclear energy.

The aim of this project is to develop a new type of laser-based tactile sensor designed for robotics operating in extreme environments where conventional electronics fails. Tactile sensors provide information about stimuli arising from mechanical interactions of a system with its environment and are widely used in robotics. However, current tactile sensor technology relies heavily on electronic systems, which prohibits their use in extreme environments where conditions damage electronic systems – such as the highly radioactive chamber of a fusion reactor. To overcome this challenge, in this project you will develop a new approach to tactile sensing, based on all-optical laser imaging through hair-thin strands of multimode optical fibre. Optical fibres are frequently used in transmitting optical signals for high-speed broadband internet. Recent research from the University of Exeter and collaborators has shown that optical fibres can also be used to directly transmit images all-optically (i.e., without the need for electronics) [1,2,3]. The project will employ these new fibre imaging techniques to funnel 2D and 3D images carrying real-time tactile sensory information from robotic systems situated within extreme environments to the outside world. This advance has the potential to open up many new applications, allowing robotics to be deployed in many extreme environments.

This is a 3.5-year PhD position based in the Structured Light Lab, within the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Exeter (Streatham campus, Exeter). The Structured Light Lab is led by Prof. David Phillips and consists of a dynamic team of PhD and postdoctoral researchers working at the forefront of photonics research – please take a look at our recent publications to see the scope of our research. You will conduct your research in the Lab’s dedicated state-of-the-art laser laboratory facilities, which are well-supported by active grants from the European Research Council (ERC), and the UK Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC). You will gain significant expertise in experimental optics and photonics, and specific skills in programming (e.g., python). The project will be co-supervised by researchers from UKAEA. The fibre-based tactile sensor will be built at the University of Exeter and tested via trips to UKAEA’s facilities in Oxfordshire. The PhD studentship includes travel resources for these visits, as well as support for travel to the leading international conferences in the field.

The ideal candidate should have an enthusiasm for experimental work and programming. This research project would ideally suit a candidate with a background in one of the following disciplines: Physics, Optics, Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Natural Sciences, although we are open to any enthusiastic applicant with a science-related background.

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