Dr Robert Hughes
EngD, MPhys
Current positions
Senior Lecturer
School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering
Contact
Press and media
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Research interests
Electromagnetic, magnetic & inductive sensing for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) & Healthcare Technology applications. Magnetic particle manipulation & low cost microfluidics.
For potential collaboration, postgraduate or postdoctorate opportunities, please contact Robert.hughes@bristol.ac.uk.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT):
Eddy-current testing (ECT) is an electromagnetic sensing NDT technique. Current research activities in this area include the development of novel technology and data-processing techniques for:
- Defect charcaterisation
- Carbon-fibre composite inspection
- Complex geometry inspection
- Eddy-current array sensors
Healthcare Technology:
Developing healthcare technology for point-of-care diagnosis, researching:
- Low-cost microfluidics & lab-on-a-chip technology
- Magnetic particle manipulation - used in bacterial labelling & trapping
- Inductive sensing of magnetic particles
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
Low-cost microfluidic prototype resources and training for resource limited settings
Principal Investigator
Description
Adapt and update existing 3D printing methodology and open-source resources [1], and trial a training workshop for low-cost prototyping of microfluidic chips in DAC nations for applications in bacteria concentration…Managing organisational unit
School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical EngineeringDates
01/07/2024 to 31/03/2025
Prototype Resonant Inductor Smart-Glove
Principal Investigator
Description
This project aims to develop low-power, low-weight & minimal-obstruction hand-tracking technology through a proof-of-principle ‘smart-glove’ prototype, employing new resonant inductive array technology developed at Bristol.Managing organisational unit
School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical EngineeringDates
01/04/2023 to 01/04/2024
Exploring antibiotic use practices in livestock production through a novel, game-based approach
Principal Investigator
Description
Study into the use of "serious games" to help understand antibiotic use and interventions for better antimicrobial resistance (AMR) management.Managing organisational unit
Department of Mechanical EngineeringDates
01/09/2020 to 01/04/2021
EPSRC Funding via Nottingham - Rob Hughes
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
Department of Mechanical EngineeringDates
15/04/2019 to 31/10/2020
Publications
Selected publications
15/02/2023Modelling a Dynamic Magneto-Agglutination Bioassay
Biosensors and Bioelectronics
Modelling and evaluation of carbon fibre composite structures using high-frequency eddy current imaging
Composites Part B: Engineering
Interpretable and Explainable Machine Learning for Ultrasonic Defect Sizing
IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control
Negligible-cost microfluidic device fabrication using 3D-printed interconnecting channel scaffolds
PLoS ONE
Analysis of electrical resonance distortion for inductive sensing applications
IEEE Sensors Journal
Recent publications
14/03/2025Displacement Sensing Using Bimodal Resonance in Over-Coupled Inductors
Sensors
In-plane waviness parameterisation from in-factory photographs of non-crimp fabrics
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Evaluation Of Pulsed Eddy Current Generation Through Aerospace Bolts Using An Internally Mounted Sensor
61st Annual Conference of the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT 2024)
Measuring Surface Curvature, using a Bimodal LC Resonant Sensor
2024 IEEE Sensors Applications Symposium, SAS
Directional eddy current probe configuration for in-line detection of out-of-plane wrinkles
Composites Part B: Engineering
Related people
Professor Paul Wilcox
Professor of Dynamics
School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering
Mr Vincent Maes
Senior Research Associate
School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering
Professor Anthony Mulholland
Head of School
School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology
Dr Rich Pyle
Research Associate
School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering