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Research area(s)

Dr Yang has been developing a unique and coherent research field broadly integrating the following three research areas for more than 30 years: 

 Sensor / measurement systems:

• Advanced sensors and robot sensing (including tactile, force, optical proximity and stereo vision);
• 3D dimensional metrology (including CMMs, virtual CMMs, AFMs); 3D freeform surface measurement (including fringe projection);
• Intelligent instrumentation; Advanced data analytics; Measurement science.

 Quality engineering:

• Quality engineering (including robust design, TRIZ and intelligent process control); Lean six sigma;
• Condition monitoring and structural integrity; Safety and risk management; Environment monitoring.
• Uncertainty quantification; Integrated quality tools and information systems; Quality science.

Smart technologies and applications:

• Robotics and autonomous systems (including Cognitive robots; Collaborative robots; Robots for measurements, inspection and maintenance; Medical robots; Mobile robots); Human-Robot Interaction; VR/AR/MR;
• IoT; Data science; Machine learning and artificial intelligence;
• Generalised information theory; Knowledge based systems; Ontology engineering; Semantic web;
• Cognition and neuroscience;
• Smart technology applications (e.g. Smart manufacturing; Smart buildings; Smart maintenance; Smart healthcare; Industry 4.0).

Project details

Dr Yang has received till December 2024 a total research funding of about £2.7 million as Principal Investigator and £1.2 million as Co-Investigator. 

1. AI for Manufacuring Design and Tooling. Innovate UK, KTP with Hadley Group, Co-I (£355k, 02/2025-01/2028).
2. Smart and sustainable manufacturing. Innovate UK, Accelerated Knowledge Transfer with SEBi, PI (£31k, 03/2024-08/2024).
3. Control and monitoring of laser DED technology for additive manufacturing, TWI/NSIRC/BUL PhD Studentship, PI (£90k, 08/2024-07/2027).
4. Development of AI systems for automatic defect recognition from ultrasonic data, TWI/NSIRC/BUL PhD Studentship, PI (£90k, 10/2023-09/2026).
5. AI for NDT - Development of AI systems for robotic path planning and automated defect detection. TWI/NSIRC/BUL PhD Studentship, PI (£90k, 04/2022-03/2025).
6. Automation and AI for acoustic panels manufacturing. Innovate UK, KTP with Soundsorba Ltd, PI (£195K, 06/2021-05/2023).
7. Modelling of wind turbine performance and health using advanced machine learning frameworks for lower carbon footprint. EPSRC Mobility Pilot PhD studentship, PI (£61K, 04/2021-03/2025).
8. In-house Training on Advanced quality engineering and Small mixed-batch SPC. Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group, PI (RMB35K, 09/2018).
9. Sustainable digital furniture manufacturing using 3D printing robot. EPSRC DTP PhD Studentship, PI (£60K, 10/2017-09/2020).
10. Building management analytics and demand side response modelling. Joint EPSRC DTP/Industry PhD Studentship (EPSRC/NPL/Mitie Group), PI @BUL (NPL/Mitie £50K, 10/2017-09/2020). 
11. Innovative Quality Engineering and Smart Technology (IQUEST), PI (£2,009,194, 08/2017- 07/2021).
12. Visiting Scholarship. Sichuan University, (RMB30K, 4/2015-3/2017).
13. Optimisation of the energy generation and distribution for carbon saving using smart grid technologies. Joint NPL/BUL PhD Studentship, PI @BUL (NPL £45K, 01/2013-02/2016).
14. Assignment of Patent “Optical Powered Smart Hydraulic Valve”. Flight Refueling, PI (£10K+3% royalty, 2004).
15. Optimization of Sensor Locations for Measurement of Flue Gas Flow in Power Plants (OLASIS). EU-funded SMT project, PI (€150K, 01/1996-06/1998).
16. Acoustic emission traceable sensing and signature diagnostics (AESAD). INTErSECT Faraday Partnership flagship project with EPSRC/industry funding, Co-I (£880K, 11/1998-01/2002).
17. Development of an opto-fluidic probe for in-process dimensional inspection. Ã÷ÐÇ°ËØÔ BRIEF Award, PI (£10K, 1997).