Professor Alison McMillan

• Maths & Physics BSc, UCL, 1986
• Applied Mechanics MSc, Cranfield, 1988
• Impact analysis of composites PhD, Staffordshire University, 1992

Postdocs at:

• Oxford, Engineering Science, Optimisation for vibrational mode shape
• Keele University, Maths, Nonlinear dynamics of wheel squeal
• Keele University, Communication and Neuroscience, Signal processing for speech recognition.

• Rolls-Royce plc, 1997-2011
• Stress validation (FEA) for shafts and bearing housings
• R&D programme management for manufacturing methods development
• Shafts work package management for TP400 engines (A400M aircraft)
• Impact analysis (FEA using Dyna) for fan blade containment system design for Trent 900 (A380 aircraft)
• R&D strategy leadership for composites.
• Intellectual Property and Export Control point of contact for the business unit.
• Royal Society Industry Fellow, 2007-2011 (part-time).
• Research into material properties in composites, including the effect of defects and porosity on strength and life.
• University of South Wales, 2011-12
• Wrexham University, 2012-present

Research interests:

• Composites
• Effect of defects, porosity and inclusions on material properties
• Material standards
• Computational methods development (FEA/CFD & meshing)
• Simulation of manufacturing processes
• Optimisation
• Embedding concepts like Industry 4.0, IoT and Digital Twin into engineering industrial practice
• Signal processing algorithms
• History and philosophy of science to address the problems of the future

Interests & Hobbies

• I play cornet and French horn, and direct a brass ensemble
• I compose and arrange music
• I grow vegetables
• I enjoy science fiction books and films

Memberships

• Fellow of Institution of Mechanical Engineers
• Fellow of Institute of Physics