Andrew Platts

I am a Knowledge Exchange Associate at the Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC - part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland), on the Materials Team under Dr. Salah Rahimi. My duties involve conducting a range of research projects that vary both in format (level/type of funding, industrial contact, impact, etc.), and in research area (rotary friction welding [RFW], residual stress measurements, modelling forming behaviours, etc.).

My primary areas of research interest are in developing High-Resolution Digital Image Correlation (High-Res DIC) techniques for the AFRC, modelling and characterising RFW, developing novel heat treatments to deliver desired material properties (plastic anisotropy, residual stresses following cold-working, etc.) that are of potential benefit to certain industrial interests, thermometry of welding processes, and studying aerospace alloys.

I am also studying for an Academic Practice PGCert at the University of Strathclyde with the intent of applying to join the Higher Education Academy, as part of advancing my career at what is a very interesting and innovative research institute.