Role of Machine Learning and AI in NDT

Dr Kai Yang is a Senior Project Leader, in the NDE/Inspection and Site Services section for technology at TWI. Kai is now a specialist in artificial intelligence (AI), long-range ultrasonic testing, signal processing, and structural health monitoring. He is leading the AI theme map for the NDE group.

Mengyuan Zhang, a PhD student at BRUNEL University specializing in Mechatronics and Robotics, has been actively involved in innovative projects conducted in collaboration between TWI and BRUNEL University since joining. These projects aim to address the quality and safety challenges brought about by the rapid growth of modern industries, seeking cost-effective solutions. Her research focuses on leveraging robotic automation technology to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT). By integrating technologies such as the HUSKY mobile platform, robotic arms, and depth cameras, she is dedicated to developing an automated NDT solution that is both efficient and economical.

Nathan Hartley is an experienced Chartered Engineer and Project Manager with more than 20 years’ experience in the defence, nuclear, energy, manufacturing and non-destructive testing industries. Since joining TWI in 2018 he has managed a variety of complex and high value engineering and research projects with a focus on automation and development of novel NDT techniques. He recently introduced multi-frequency microwave inspection to TWI’s capabilities and has been instrumental in the integration and use of mobile and collaborative robots. He has also overseen the development of a novel, automated acoustic inspection method for the inspection of highly attenuative glass fibre structures. Nathan is also an accomplished NDT practitioner, holding CSWIP Level II qualifications in UT and PAUT (Welds).

Owen Rees-Lloyd is a senior project engineer at TWI with more than 5 years industrial experience in non-destructive testing (NDT).  Having joined TWI in 2016, Owen spent his first 3 years at TWI as a PhD student working on Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers. Following his PhD, Owen joined TWI as a project engineer, leading and delivering a wide range of engineering and research projects within NDT. More recently, Owen has been working on robotic deployment of NDT inspections, with a particular focus on eddy current technologies, along with development of coded excitation ultrasonic systems, and the application of Total Focussing Method (TFM) technologies.