Dynamic analysis of geomaterials using microwave sensing

Precise characterization of geomaterials improves subsurface energy extraction and storage. Understanding geomaterial property, and the complexities between petrophysics and geomechanics, plays a key role in maintaining energy security and the transition to a net zero global carbon economy. Multiple sectors demand accurate and rapid characterization of geomaterial conditions, requiring the extraction of core plugs in the field for full-field characterization and analysis in the laboratory. We present a novel technique for the non-invasive characterization of geomaterials by using Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar in the K-band, representing a new application of microwave radar. We collect data through the delivery of FMCW wave interactions with geomaterials under static and dynamic conditions and show that FMCW can detect fluid presence, differentiate fluid type, indicate the presence of metallic inclusions and detect imminent failure in loaded sandstones by up to 15 s, allowing for greater control in loading up to a failure event. Such precursors have the potential to significantly enhance our understanding of, and ability to model, geomaterial dynamics. This low-cost sensing method is easily deployable, provides quicker and more accessible data than many state-of-the-art systems, and new insights into geomaterial behavior under dynamic conditions

CyPhER : a digital thread framework towards human-systems symbiosis

Cyber-physical twinning is an important area of study across multiple diverse fields. Creating more symbiotic human-machine partnerships facilitates extended reality. This thesis presents a flexible digital thread framework, CyPhER (Cyber Physical Extended Reality), as a platform and application agnostic solution for human-systems symbiosis. This framework includes software, techniques, and a reference architecture to allow for implementation in any field where cyber-physical twinning is possible. This thesis contains case studies carried out with industry partners in the domains of vocational education and robotics. These case studies demonstrate extended reality enabling human-systems symbiosis within their fields. When moving between these fields, CyPhER itself evolved, improving in terms of performance and capability. These applications required CyPhER to be deployed on a range of platforms spanning operating systems and form factors, which influenced its performance across these devices. Having flexibility in this approach allows CyPhER to address barriers in terms of computing apparatus in each field, such as edge devices. A cyber-physical extended reality is beneficial as a teaching aid, supporting a symbiotic process where both students and tutors can benefit from a teaching environment which utilises both the real and virtual worlds. It also benefits the field of automation, allowing for a symbiotic partnership between the human operator and systems. This is achieved through bidirectional interactions between robots and humans to enable enhanced operational decision support. Approaching these applications with a cyber-physical solution has enabled gains in usability, flexibility, and scalability in each field, abstracting complex systems with extended reality features to enable symbiosis between systems and the humans that control them. This is demonstrated in the consideration of control display gains in human-system interaction, which addresses the interaction barrier between the human and the system.Funded by Heriot-Watt Universit