Born in Greece, Dimitris Fakis received his MEng diploma in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 2015 with a thesis on HVDC corona discharges. He is now a part of the NSIRC team as a researcher, pursuing a PhD with the Brunel University of London. His primary research interests lie in the field of studying and modelling electromagnetics and his current research is focused on electromagnetic wave propagation through composite materials.
As the number of PhD students at NSIRC climbs higher, so have the years of cumulative research completed by NSIRC students, which in 2017 passed 200 collective years.
“We are pleased to have reached this landmark,” commented Heather Claxton, NSIRC’s Operations Manager. “Because every research topic that we offer is created based upon a need for research from industry, it’s especially gratifying to find great students who will conduct this world leading research, as we know the work that they do will have a real world impact.”
By advancing fundamental science for the safe operation of products and structures, NSIRC students continue to develop innovative, fit-for-purpose technologies and design rules, along with demonstrating solutions for long-term asset management.
The ethos of NSIRC has been to allow students to learn autonomously through participation in live projects and putting students at the centre of the Structural Integrity world. As well as projects undertaken on behalf of large industrial clients globally, and opportunities on collaborative Pan-European research and development projects, everyday NSIRC is providing more students with important opportunities. Together with TWI Ltd, these organisations are bridging the gap between academia and industry, by nurturing the best in engineering talent towards a long and successful career.
For more articles by NSIRC visit www.nsirc.co.uk/news-and-events
About NSIRC
The National Structural Integrity Research Centre (NSIRC) is a state-of-the-art postgraduate engineering facility established and managed by structural integrity specialist TWI. NSIRC unites academia and industry, working closely with lead academic partner Brunel University London and more than 20 other respected universities, as well as founder sponsors BP and the Lloyd's Register Foundation. The collaborating partners provide academic excellence to address the need for fundamental research, as well as high-quality, industry-relevant training for the next generation of structural integrity engineers.
NSIRC advances fundamental research to support the following objectives:
- Safe operation of products and structures
- Development of innovative, fit-for-purpose technologies and design rules
- Engineering solutions for long-term asset management.
To achieve these objectives NSIRC is pursuing advancements in areas including: risk-based management, engineering critical assessment, non-destructive testing, structural health and condition monitoring, and health management for use in industrial applications.