Â鶹APP

I am a Mechanical Engineer with a research focus at the intersection of materials science, failure analysis, mechatronics, and artificial intelligence.

I hold a BEng from the University of West Attica (formerly T.E.I. of Piraeus) and an MSc in Advanced Industrial and Manufacturing Systems from Kingston University. I began my PhD at the University of Leicester in 2014 through the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Innovative Metal Processing (IMPaCT CDT), where my research focused on assessing hot cracking susceptibility in structural materials and developing improved experimental methods for steel characterisation. I continued at Leicester as a Postdoctoral Research Associate and have since joined the School of Engineering as a Lecturer. I currently serve as Chair of Health and Safety.

My academic work is defined by cross-disciplinary collaboration, hands-on innovation, and a commitment to solving real-world engineering challenges. I have led and contributed to projects across advanced coatings, failure analysis, mechatronic system design, and aerospace applications. This includes contributions to flexible satellite power systems under a UK Space Agency-supported initiative focused on in-orbit deployable technologies.

I have delivered teaching and research across the UK, Greece, and Japan, and maintain strong links with both academic and industrial partners. I believe that intellectually demanding research and education are vital for innovation and progress, and I remain committed to advancing the future of engineering through rigorous inquiry and collaborative practice.

My research spans failure analysis, welding, joining, novel materials processing, and computer vision. I have been actively involved in research since my undergraduate studies, with a longstanding focus on failure analysis in engineering components and experimental design.

During my PhD at the University of Leicester, as part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Innovative Metal Processing (IMPaCT CDT), I focused on assessing hot cracking susceptibility of steels. I developed and validated an improved methodology for Trans-Varestraint testing using an industrial-scale welding rig, enabling more reliable and controlled assessment of hot cracking under varied strain conditions.

Following this, I worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate on an Innovate UK-funded project focused on the electrodeposition of nanocomposite coatings. I led the development of experimental rigs and contributed to the implementation of novel large-scale plating processes for industrial use.

My current research explores the use of computer vision for defect identification in imaging datasets. While this work is interdisciplinary and currently applied to medical imaging, it is intended to support future pipelines for defect detection in materials. I am also investigating the effects of cryogenic heat treatments on the material properties of steel.

Chiadikobi, C.I., Thornton, R., Statharas, D., and Weston, D.P., 2025. Microstructural and mechanical characterisation of quenched, quenched and tempered AISI M2 high-speed steel subjected to deep cryogenic treatment. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, 56(1), pp.111–124.

Chiadikobi, C.I., Thornton, R., Statharas, D., and Weston, D.P., 2024. The effects of deep cryogenic treatment on PVD-TiN coated AISI M2 high-speed steel. Surface and Coatings Technology, 493, p.131248.

Statharas, D., Atkinson, H.V., Thornton, R., Marsden, J., Dong, H., and Wen, S., 2019. Getting the strain under control: Trans-Varestraint tests for hot cracking susceptibility. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, 50(4), pp.1748–1762.

Weston, D.P., Albusalih, D., Hilton-Tapp, H., Statharas, D., Gill, S.P., Navajas, J., Cornec, J., and Weston, N.J., 2023. Nanocomposite Co-nSiC coatings electrodeposited from cobalt-gluconate bath via pulse reverse plating technique with anionic surfactant. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 305, p.127943.

Medrea, C., Fragkos-Livanios, L., Giannakopoulos, K., and Statharas, D., 2018. Failure analysis of two cold-working cutting tools: Case studies. MATEC Web of Conferences, 188.

Statharas, D., Sideris, J., Medrea, C., and Chicinas, I., 2010. Microscopic examination of the fracture surfaces of a cold working die due to premature failure. Engineering Failure Analysis, 18, pp.759–765.

Statharas, D., Papageorgiou, D., Sideris, I., and Medrea, C., 2008. Preliminary examination of the fracture surfaces of a cold working die. Â鶹APP Journal of Materials Forming, 1, pp.431–434.

I supervise research projects across undergraduate, MSc, MEng, and PhD levels, with a strong focus on experimental approaches to materials science and mechanical engineering. My supervision combines hands-on laboratory work with analytical and computational techniques, and I support both fundamental investigations and application-driven research.

Topics of Interest:

• Experimental assessment of solidification and hot cracking susceptibility in metals
• Development of novel test methods for weldability and joining evaluation
• Heat treatment and cryogenic processing of steels and their effect on microstructure and properties
• Failure analysis and fractography in metallic systems
• Application of AI and computer vision to defect detection and materials characterisation
• Integration of machine learning in experimental workflows
• Design and fabrication of custom rigs and testing systems

I welcome students interested in experimental materials science, welding and joining, heat treatment, and interdisciplinary projects involving applied AI. I particularly encourage those who enjoy practical problem-solving and working at the intersection of physical testing and computational innovation.

My supervision style is structured, direct, and grounded in high expectations. I am demanding in terms of rigour, independence, and quality of work—but I am equally committed to supporting students who show initiative, resilience, and a willingness to engage fully with their research.

My teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate levels within the School of Engineering and reflects my expertise in mechanical design, materials science, and applied engineering technologies. I have designed, delivered, and restructured modules covering areas such as:

• Mechatronics: Introducing students to the integration of electronics, sensors, and programming in engineering systems, with a focus on solving real-world mechanical and materials engineering problems.
• Finite Element Analysis and Design: Teaching the fundamental theory behind the finite element method (FEM), and guiding students in using professional FEM software to simulate and assess the structural performance of components.
• Advanced Composite Materials: Providing an introduction to composite material systems, including micromechanical modelling, laminate theory, and methods for evaluating their structural properties and applications.

My approach combines theoretical understanding with practical application, and I place particular emphasis on analytical thinking, simulation, and experimental relevance. I regularly supervise MEng, MSc, and PhD research projects, and contribute to curriculum development and academic mentoring.

In addition to my teaching activities at Leicester, I have delivered invited teaching internationally, including a postgraduate module on advanced materials science at the Fukuoka Institute of Technology in Japan.

I am available for media commentary and public engagement on topics related to mechanical and materials engineering, with a particular focus on experimental research and real-world applications. My areas of expertise include:

• Failure analysis and the forensic investigation of engineering components
• Welding, joining, and the assessment of hot cracking in metals
• Heat treatment and cryogenic processing of steels
• Experimental mechanics and materials characterisation
• Advanced surface coatings, including electrodeposition and nanocomposites
• The use of AI and computer vision in defect detection and engineering diagnostics

I also engage with interdisciplinary applications of imaging and AI, including their future use in materials science and industrial inspection. I welcome opportunities to contribute expert insights to media outlets, technical discussions, or collaborative public engagement activities.

My academic activity extends beyond research and teaching to include leadership, international engagement, and industry collaboration. I currently serve as Chair of Health and Safety for the School of Engineering at the University of Leicester and previously held the role of Programme Director for General Engineering, where I contributed to curriculum planning and delivery across several core modules.

Â鶹APPly, I was invited to serve as a Visiting Professor at the Fukuoka Institute of Technology in Japan, where I delivered a postgraduate module in Advanced Materials Science and contributed to strengthening institutional links.

I am actively involved in applied research and consultancy, including materials failure analysis for local industry and collaborative work with the Leicester Space Research Centre and Space Park Leicester. This has included advising on materials selection, heat treatment, and the development of bespoke experimental systems.

In addition, I contribute as an academic partner to a UK Space Agency-funded project focused on developing flexible solar blanket technology for space applications.

I served on the organising committee for the 28th Annual Conference on Medical Image Understanding and Analysis (MIUA 2024), supporting doctoral community engagement and the planning of interdisciplinary sessions focused on computer vision applications.

I was also a member of the Â鶹APP Scientific Committee for the 2024 Â鶹APP Conference on Innovation in Engineering and Social Science (ICIESS), hosted by the Fukuoka Institute of Technology in Japan, contributing to the academic review process.

• AMPP CORROSION 2024 – New Orleans, USA
  Co-author
  2024
  Paper: Multilayer Anticorrosion Systems for Offshore Wind Turbines (AMPP-2024-20840).
• AMPP Annual Conference + Expo – San Antonio, USA
  Co-author
  2022
  Paper: Development of Multilayer Coating Systems for Self-Healing Protection and Corrosion Mitigation in the Atmospheric Zone of Offshore Wind Turbines.
• 9th Â鶹APP Conference on Materials for Advanced Technologies (ICMAT 2017) – Singapore
  Presenter
  June 17–23, 2017
  Presentation on Varestraint and Trans-Varestraint testing for hot cracking susceptibility.
• 6th Â鶹APP Scientific Conference eRa – Piraeus, Greece
  Presenter
  September 19–24, 2011
  Presented Digital ISO Document Management.
• 5th Â鶹APP Scientific Conference eRa – Piraeus, Greece
  Presenter
  September 15–18, 2010
  Presented Microscopic Examination of a Failed Cutting Tool’s Fracture Surfaces.
• ICEFA IV – Churchill College, Cambridge, UK
  Presenter
  July 4–7, 2010
  Presented work on failure analysis of cold-working cutting tools.
• INTED Conference – Valencia, Spain
  Co-author
  March 9–11, 2009
  Paper: Preliminary Examination of the Fracture Surfaces of a Cold Cutting Tool. Attended by lead supervisor.
• 11th ESAFORM Conference on Material Forming – Lyon, France
  Presenter
  April 23–25, 2008
  Presented Preliminary Examination of the Fracture Surfaces of Cold Working Die.

I am always open to collaboration—across disciplines, sectors, and levels of experience. I believe engineering is fundamentally about solving problems and serving society, and I welcome the opportunity to contribute wherever my expertise is of value.

I particularly enjoy intellectually challenging projects and thrive in environments that require practical thinking, design under constraints, and hands-on experimentation. I am open to working with academic colleagues from any field, as well as with industry partners seeking applied insight, technical troubleshooting, or support in research and development.

My approach is collaborative, direct, and solutions-focused. I do not believe in academic elitism—I believe in engineering that works.

I have participated in several public-facing science communication initiatives aimed at promoting engineering education and materials science.

• STEM Untapped Podcast: Featured in the episode "Engineering 101", released on 4 March 2024 for World Engineering Day. I discussed the evolution of engineering education, the development of core skills in mathematics and science, and the diverse pathways into the profession.
• Lefteris Asks Science Podcast: Guest on the episode titled "10 – Welding (with Dr. Dimitris Statharas)", where I discussed the fundamentals of welding and its importance in engineering.
• University of Leicester News: My invitation to serve as a Visiting Professor at the Fukuoka Institute of Technology in Japan was highlighted by the University of Leicester’s School of Engineering.
• Student Achievement: I supervised George Chaplin, an Aerospace Engineering with Industry MEng student, who was awarded runner-up in the 2023 IMechE Mechatronics Engineering Student of the Year competition. His project focused on the design and modelling of a payload support structure for the 'SpaDE' satellite debris deceleration model.

These engagements reflect my commitment to science communication and public engagement in engineering and materials science.

I hold a PhD in Engineering from the University of Leicester, where I completed my doctoral research through the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Innovative Metal Processing (IMPaCT CDT). Prior to this, I obtained an MSc in Advanced Industrial and Manufacturing Systems from Kingston University and a BEng in Mechanical Engineering from the University of West Attica (formerly T.E.I. of Piraeus).

I am a Chartered Engineer (CEng), a professional member of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (MIMMM), and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).