Professor Alison McMillan
Biography
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 workpackage 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 Glyndwr 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
Qualifications
FHEA
FIMechE CEng
FInstP CPhys
GCSEs in languages (Russian, Spanish, Esperanto), and an AS in German
PhD
MSc
BSc
Dumfries Academy Senior Prizes in Physics and Music
3 Scottish CSYS
6 Scottish Highers
Pitman Typing
9 Scottish O Grades
Associated Board Grade 5 music theory distinction
Research
- 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
Courses
ENG740 Engineering Research Methods and Postgraduate Studies
ENG757 Design with Composites
Publications
Find a complete record on ORCID at https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4191-096X or on ResearchGate at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alison-Mcmillan
- C Abeykoon, AJ McMillan, Bao Kha Nguyen, 2021 “Energy efficiency in extrusion-related polymer processing: A review of state of the art and potential efficiency improvements,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 147 :111219, DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111219
- C Abeykoona, A McMillan, CH Dasanayaka, X Huang, P Xu, 2021 “Remanufacturing using End-of-Life Vehicles and Electrical and Electronic Equipment Polymer Recyclates - A Paradigm for Assessing the Value Proposition,” Int J Lightweight Materials and Manufacture 4(4), DOI: 10.1016/j.ijlmm.2021.06.005
- HC Burridge et al (30 authors) 2021 “The ventilation of buildings and other mitigating measures for COVID-19: A focus on wintertime,” Proc Roy Soc A 477(2247), DOI: 10.1098/rspa.2020.0855
- AJ McMillan, R Jones AC, 2020 “Combined effect of both surface finish and sub‐surface porosity on component strength under repeated load conditions,” Engineering Reports, 2(118) DOI: 10.1002/eng2.12248
- M Jahanbin, S SANTHANAM, J-B Ihn, AJ McMillan, 2019 “Application of Ultrasonic Guided Waves for Surface Roughness Measurement,” Conference: Structural Health Monitoring 2019, DOI: 10.12783/shm2019/32304
- A Sung, K Leong, P Sironi, T O’Reilly, A McMillan, 2019 “An exploratory study of the FinTech (Financial Technology) education and retraining in UK,” J Work-Applied Management, DOI: 10.1108/JWAM-06-2019-0020
- AJ McMillan, R Jones AC, D Peng, GA Chechkin, 2018 “A computational study of the influence of surface roughness on material strength,” Meccanica 53(3), DOI: 10.1007/s11012-018-0830-6
- AJ McMillan, N Swindells, E Archer, A McIlhagger, A Sung, K Leong, R Jones, 2017 “A review of composite product data interoperability and product life-cycle management challenges in the composites industry,” Advanced Manufacturing: Polymer & Composites Science, 3(4) 130-147, DOI: 10.1080/20550340.2017.1389047