Corneal Material Characterisation Using Digital Volume Correlation (FES-PhD-2425-03)

Background: The cornea is a crucial component of the human eye, providing structural support and contributing significantly to its optical properties. Understanding the mechanical behaviour and material properties of the cornea is essential for advancing treatments for various ocular diseases and disorders. Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) is a powerful non-invasive imaging-based technique that allows for three-dimensional measurement of displacement and strain fields of materials. This research project aims to employ DVC to characterize the material properties of the cornea, enhancing our understanding of its mechanical behaviour and paving the way for improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Objectives:

·      To develop a comprehensive understanding of the mechanical behaviour of the cornea through Digital Volume Correlation.

·      To investigate the anisotropic properties of the cornea under different loading conditions.

·      To establish a correlation between microstructural changes in the cornea and its mechanical response.

·      To explore the potential clinical applications of corneal material characterization in the diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases.

The research will involve designing a novel in situ experimental setup for the recently acquired inCiTe 3D X-ray microscope and implementation of DVC algorithms to analyse the deformation of the cornea under various loading conditions. This will enable inverse finite element (FE) analysis to extract the material properties of the cornea based on the deformation data obtained from DVC, developing a constitutive model that accurately represents the corneal biomechanics. The project is mainly designed to offer a comprehensive and enriching research experience for the potential student, combining hands-on experimentation, exposure to advanced imaging technologies, interdisciplinary training, and opportunities for professional development. It aims to equip the student with a diverse skill set and a strong foundation for a future career in research and academia.

Skills & work plan:

The PhD student will gain significant experience on soft tissue materials and advanced imaging techniques such as phase-contrast X-ray tomography, in situ mechanics and DVC. In addition, the student will develop skills on advanced numerical modelling, through the simulation of the physical models and the calibration of numerical models in Abaqus

Making an application:

Please read this information before making an application. Information on the application process is available at: https://www.gre.ac.uk/research/study/apply/application-process. Applications need to be made online via this link. No other form of application will be considered.

All applications must include the following information. Applications not containing these documents will not be considered.

•       Scholarship Reference Number – FES-PhD-2425-03 –included in the personal statement section together with your personal statement as to why you are applying

•       a CV including details of 2 referees *

•       academic qualification certificates/transcripts and IELTs/English Language certificate if you are an international applicant or if English is not your first language or you are from a country where English is not the majority spoken language as defined by the UK Border Agency *

*upload to the qualification section of the application form. Attachments must be a PDF format.

Before submitting your application, you are encouraged to liaise with the Lead Supervisor on the details above.