The lungs are a complex, dynamically moving organ. Much research has studied the mechanical behaviour of the lung across length scales, from the whole organ down to cellular mechanics. In health, the lung performs almost effortlessly, undergoing significant deformations, facilitating gas exchange for the body. Our group has used experimental and computational methods to characterise the behaviour in health, injury (trauma) and disease (covid-19). Methods include the use of commercial and bespoke computational codes to capture fluid flow and mechanical stretch of the tissue; high-speed micro-CT imaging of lung tissue to characterise the tissue strain state during mechanical ventilation (via digital volume correlation); and fabrication methods to mimic and study various aspects of alveolar mechanics.
This PhD opportunity aims to advance and integrate the imaging methods and computational framework to study lung pathologies down to the lower airways. The project aims to advance computational functionality to study transient biomechanical phenomena in various lung pathologies, using advanced experimental methods for validation. There is significant scope for interaction and collaboration with partnering research institutions and industry.
Established in 1920, Swansea University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Swansea (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Wales. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Privy Council, Swansea University is a large (uniRank enrollment range: 15,000-19,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. Swansea University offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 99 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.