Dr Katherine Dobson

Research Interests

I apply x-ray tomography to investigate the textures within natural and man-made materials. The method is non destructive, and can be applied to a wide range of samples and sample sizes, and can be used on samples as they are heated, cooled, compressed, stretched, twisted, stirred or inundated by a range of different fluids.

My work focusses on the latest state-of-the-art 3D and real time 4D imaging techniques. In 4D studies, the ability to inside the sample as it undergoes a change allows us to collect a "movie", where each frame is a full 3D x-ray tomography image. In my own core research, the individual 3D images of the movie are each collected in under a second. For other studies it is enough to image every few seconds, few hours, or even every few months depending on the rate and magnitude of change you wish to observe. This allows me to track the location and interactions between particles or between bubbles, to quantify fracture propagation, to capture dissolution or precipitation as it occurs, to observe fluids passing through pore throats, or corrosion, or sintering, or root growth. The opportunities are almost endless.

Current research projects include:

• Multi-phase flows and rheology in complex and concentrated fluids (NERC-IRF)
• Understanding pore scale controls on slope stability to improve embankment and cutting resilience to climate change (ACHILLES)
• Diffusion and bubble growth in silicate melts
• In situ deformation of composite materials
• Damage zone development
• Continuous manufactuing
• Sustainable resource management
• Environmental management and remediation
• Sintering and densification processes
• Permeability evolution in the subsurface
• Subsurface fluid flow and fluid-rock interactions
• Pore scale processes
• Soil mechanics
• The physical-chemical-biological interactions that control soil fertility

PhD projects Available for 2021 start

I am happy to accept PhD students on projects starting in 2021.  Please follow the links or contact me to find out more information about any of the projects below.  If you are interested in working in another of the areas listed above, please contact me to discuss your project ideas.

• Pore-Scale Imaging of Cross Fault Flow in High Porosity Sandstones using High Pressure-Temperature Fluid Tomography

Please contact me for further information
No funding in place, but scholarship opportunities are still available for 2021 start.

• Microstructural controls on the rheology of complex fluids
  

Please contact me for further information
No funding in place, but scholarship opportunities are still available for 2021 start.

• From micro- to macro- understanding how pore-scale behaviours control slope stability in embankments and cuttings
  

Please contact me for further information
No funding in place, but scholarship opportunities are still available for 2021 start.

Current PhD Students

• Rory Brittain University of Strathclyde, Civil & Environmental Engineering.

Geosciences towards Net Zero

• Phil Salter University of Strathclyde, Civil & Environmental Engineering.

Geosciences towards Net Zero

• Andrea Kozlowski University of Strathclyde, Civil & Environmental Engineering.

Nuclear Disposal

• Izabella Otalega University of Strathclyde, Civil & Environmental Engineering.

Oil and Gas

• Tariro Gwandu Durham University,Enineering

Soil Mechanics, Sustainability

• Eloise Bretagne Durham University, Earth Sciences

Magmatism, Complex fluids

• Catriona Sellick Durham University, Earth Sciences

Enhanced Oil Recovery

• Bridie Davies University of East Anglia, Enviornmental Sciences

Volcanism, Hazard

• Nikos Apeiranthitis University of Durham, Earth Sciences

Enhanced Oil Recovery

Professional Activities

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Projects

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