Current Research Topics

Signal Processing and Complex Systems involves a diverse range of research, which includes the development of both core underlying theories and focussed application areas. Most of the research is funded from the research councils and similar bodies. A brief description of a selection of current research topics is given below.

Nonlinear System Identification image Nonlinear System Identification, Signal and Information Processing

The derivation of system identification and information processing algorithms to identify both the system structure and estimate the unknown parameters in a wide class of nonlinear models including polynomial and wavelet narmax models, radial basis function and wavelet network models is being investigated. The focus is on model structure selection and the identification of models that are transparent, which can be related back to the underlying system, and which generalise well. The derivation of generic model validation and model analysis methods for all classes of nonlinear models are also being studied.
RSM Subharmonics and Severely Nonlinear Systems

Severely nonlinear systems, which generate sub-harmonics, are being studied in both the time and the frequency domain. The Response Spectrum Map, which is a frequency domain equivalent to the Bifurcation Diagram, has recently been introduced as a powerful new tool for analysing this important class of systems.
Nonlinear systems image Nonlinear Systems in the Frequency Domain

A complete theory for the analysis of nonlinear systems in the frequency domain has been developed. This consists of analytic methods for mapping from nonlinear discrete and continuous time nonlinear differential equation models to the multi-dimensional generalised frequency response functions and visa versa. A new class of filters, called energy transfer filters, has recently been derived which allows energy to be moved to new frequency locations or spread over a band of frequencies.
Spot patterns Spatio-Temporal Systems and Cellular Automata

Spatio-temporal systems are systems that evolve over both space and time. The realisation, identification, prediction and analysis of this class of systems are being studied using both partial differential equation and lattice dynamical system models. Cellular automata (CA) and excitable media models are also being studied.
Nonlinear damping Non-linear Damping

A new class of nonlinear passive and active damping methods are being investigated. It has been proved that a passive cubic damper can damp the resonance effects without introducing power into the frequency response tails, and offers significant benefits compared to classical passive and active damping designs.
TF_IntraEEG image Tracking Rapid Nonlinear Dynamic Changes in both Time and Frequency

A completely new class of wavelet based algorithms is being developed to track very rapid changes in nonlinear dynamic models and to map these into nonlinear frequency response behaviours with applications to EEG and neuro imaging.
space image Modelling the Magnetosphere and Solar Wind

The identification and analysis of data sets relating to the magnetosphere and the solar wind, based on data recorded from satellites, is being studied in both the time and the frequency domain to forecast geomagnetic indices and to predict disturbances of the magnetic field such as storms and sub-storms.
FMRI Neuro-Imaging and Systems Neuroscience

Models relating the Blood Oxygenated Level Dependent (BOLD) signal from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and hemodynamic response to changes in neural activity, and for determining inter-regional neuronal interactions are being studied. Neuro imaging has become an important scientific technique for the investigation of brain function, and is an important example of a spatio-temporal system that has enormous potential for addressing significant issues in neuroscience and medicine. Diffuse Optical Tomography (DOT) imaging methods are also being developed.
Robot image Modelling and Identification for Mobile Robots

An investigation to determine how robot attributes, sensor properties and environmental characteristics influence robot behaviour, and the development of a theoretical framework to describe robot environment interaction is being studied.
Metabolic pathways image Metabolic Systems Engineering

Metabolic engineering involves the modelling and identification of metabolic pathways found in an organism to better understand and utilise cellular pathways for chemical transformation.
Systems biology image Systems and Synthetic Biology

Whereas systems biology is essentially reverse engineering of biological systems synthetic biology is the design and construction of new biological parts, devices, and systems. Ultimately the aim of synthetic biology is to be able to manipulate biological systems in a similar way that is now possible with physics and chemistry systems.
Stem cells image Stem Cell Dynamics

Research on stem cell population dynamics and cell lineage, including the modelling, identification and tracking of stem cell behaviour is being investigated.
Bioimaging Bio-Imaging

Bio-Imaging techniques for application in the medical, pharma, biotech and healthcare sectors are being studied.
Drosophila Identifications and Analysis of Neural Activity and the Visual System in Drosophila

The neural processing of the visual system of Drosophila or fruit flies is being investigated to understand how fly brains process information about the visual environment.
Crystals image Reaction Diffusion Systems and Crystal Growth

The identification, modelling and analysis of chemical non-equilibrium growth processes, including reaction-diffusion systems, crystal growth and bacterial colonies, is being investigated.
Icebergs image Tracking Greenland Icebergs

The variation in the dependence of Greenland iceberg calving on ice sheet surface mass balance and regional climate change is being investigated by modeling and tracking the changing influence of lagged climatic variables over the last century. The results reveal a dominant causal mechanism shifting from glaciological to climatic over recent decades and suggest that calving discharge has recently been increasing significantly.
Musculoskeletal image Modelling the Musculoskeletal System

A new generation of predictive models capable of handling complex multi-scale and multi-physics problems is being developed to model the human musculoskeletal system individualised to each patient in collaboration with clinicians.
Neutrophil image Neutrophil

Spatio-temporal modelling and analysis of neutrophil, associated with the inflammatory response in zebra fish tails, is being studied as part of a wider investigation into chemotaxis.
EEG neuron image EEG

New causality detection and wavelet adaptive tracking algorithms are being developed to track both linear and nonlinear frequency domain behaviours as a new tool to aid clinicians in the interpretation of EEG's.
Finance image Modelling Financial Systems

The identification and analysis of financial market models associated with market risk and volatility are being studied.
Machine vision car image Machine Vision

The development of computer vision systems for autonomous guided vehicles (agv's) and robotics is being studied, including stereo algorithms, object surveillance and collision avoidance strategies.