| Steven Manos Multi-objective optimsiation using evolutionary algorithms for fibre Bragg gratings and microstructured optical fibres Ph. D. 2003- Evolutionary algorithms are a powerful approach to design and optimisation when the problem space has a large number of design variables, several conflicting objectives and complex constarints. Steven's project combines ideas from both evolutionary biology and developmental biology to produce and use algorithms that can efficiently search the design space. The project also utilises data mining and advanced visualisation tools. This project is co-supervised by Maryanne Large. |
Shelley Wickham Function and evolution of optical structures in biology Ph.D. 2005- Shelley's project combines physics and biology to trace the evolution of complex traits such as the structural colours found in butterflies. These species show a great diversity of structures, a propensity for re-use and adaptation which will yiled interesting insight into phenotypic plasticity, biological adaptation and biomimetic technology. This project is co-supervised by Maryanne Large and Lars Jermiin. |
Jacqui Hayes Multi-objective selection in biology Honours Project 2005 Bioloigical structures usually experience a multiplicity of selection pressures and are thus not generally optimised with respect to a single attribute. Jacqui's project compares the optical, mechanical and thermal properties of butterfly scales to explore how the diversity of oberved microstructures correlates with these (often conflicting) properties. This project is both theoretical and experimental. This project is cosupervised by Maryanne Large and Michael Swain and used facilities at the Electron Microscope Unit and the Biomaterials Research Unit at the Dental Hospital. |
| Gerald Teng Weak guidance in elasticity 3rd Year Special Project 2005 Weak guidance is a very well-known approximation in optical waveguide theory that allows the vector wave equation to be replaced by the much simpler scalar wave equation when index contrast are small. Gerald's project involves exploring the same idea for ealstic waves. It is known that in isotropic elastic media the dilatational and shear waves decouple in the weak guidance limit. This project will explore how easily these ideas generalise to more complex crystal symmetries. |
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