Dr Phillip Lugg-Widger
Research Associate
- widgerp@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)2920 875125
- Queen's Buildings, 5 The Parade, Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 3AA
Overview
Pronouns: He/Him/His.
I am a research associate in electrical and electronic engineering at Cardiff university with a focus on multidisciplinary applied research including electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry and physics. I conduct research development in the application and characterisation of novel materials for electrical energy systems, magnetic materials and the effects of lightning within the Energy Systems Research Institute.
I have a degree in electrical and electronic engineering and a doctorate in high voltage electrical engineering. Currently I have 8 years postdoctoral research experience in high voltage engineering, magnetics and studying lightning phenomena working with project partners such as National Grid, Rolls Royce, Western Power Distribution, UK Power Networks and Scottish and Southern Electric.
My Research
My Research activity is associated with the Advanced High Voltage Engineering Research Centre, Lightning laboratory and the Magnetics Materials and Applications Research Group. I have experience of large-scale laboratory developments, designing and conducting experimental pilot projects. I am interested in future materials that will help reduce carbon emissions and environmental impact to meet net zero targets and improve efficiency of the electrical power generation, transmission and distribution networks. Previously I was a member of the International Cigre Standards working group for alternative insulation gases for high voltage energy networks. Currently my research has generated over 20 journal publications, conference papers and research articles.
My past and ongoing research activities and interests include:
- High voltage and high current generation, testing and monitoring
- Magnetic material characterisation and annealing
- Atmospheric effects and phenomena of lightning physics
- The effect of extreme natural events including lightning strikes on critical electrical network assets.
- The interaction of novel materials and chemical analysis
- Future environmentally friendly gaseous insulation of high voltage power equipment
- Future electrical transmission and distribution technologies including switchgear, power lines, transformers, motors and generators.
- Electrical network infrastructure and resilience
- High voltage partial discharge of electrical power equipment
- Effect and measurement of electromagnetic emissions of electrical power lines
- Acoustic emissions of high voltage equipment and magnetic transformer cores
- Advanced optical, high speed, schlieren and spectrographic techniques to observe lightning or electrical arcing
STEM
I am actively engaged in public outreach events and workshops in the local community including leading Engineering Animations for primary schools as part of Cardiff Universities Innovation for All public engagement and a Royal Academy of Engineering Ingenious Public Engagement Award.
I am passionate about inclusivity, equality and diversity, especially in STEM.
Biography
Academic positions
2020-2023: Research Associate & Laboratory Development Manager WEFO – Welsh European Funding Office (Welsh Government) MAGMA Project: Magnetic Materials and Applications. Establishing a leading research capability in the processing, characterisation, manufacturing and recycling of specialist magnetic materials.
2016-2020: Research Associate WEFO – Welsh European Funding Office (Welsh Government) Flexis Project: WP16 Environmentally-Friendly Electrical Power Plant and Insulation to build international research facilities in wales.
2017-2017: Research Associate IET Power Networks Research Academy funded project entitled: 'Alternatives to SF6 as an Insulation Medium for Distribution Equipment' in the advanced high voltage engineering research centre (HIVES).
2015-2016: Research Associate IET Power Networks Research Academy funded project entitled: ‘By-Product Analysis of CF3I Gas Mixtures as an alternative Interrupting Medium’
2014-2015: Research Associate EPSRC Funded Top & Tail Demonstrator Project Entitled: ‘Design, Construction and Characterisation of a CF3I Gas Insulated Line Demonstrator’ EP/I031707/1
2010 –2014: PhD ‘Investigation into CF3I-CO2 Gas Mixtures for Insulation of Gas-Insulated Distribution Equipment’ - EP/F037686/1 Cardiff University, School of Engineering.
My Studies
2014: PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Cardiff University, UK.
2010: BENG Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Cardiff University, UK
Honours and awards
Outstanding Teaching and Student Support Award – Silver Award on the Trevithick Teaching Stars Scheme, Cardiff University, School of Engineering, 2020.
Outstanding Contribution Award (OCAS) - Exceptional contribution to Teaching and Public Engagement - Cardiff University, School of Engineering, 2022.
Professional memberships
STEM Ambassador for additional outreach programs such as the IET Schools Faraday Challenge, Subatomic Circus and Cardiff University Museum After Dark
Speaking engagements
Cardiff Materials Research Network Poster: “Alternative Electrical Insulation Gases to Replace SF6” Materials Network Symposium. Jan. 2019.
20th international symposium on high voltage engineering (ISH) Presentation & Paper: “Gaseous by-products of a CF3I-CO2 gas mixture under lightning impulse and AC breakdowns”. Sept. 2017.
International Universities Power Engineering Conference Proceedings (UPEC 2016) Presentation & Paper: “Deposited By-Products of CF3I-CO2 Gas Mixtures after Lightning Impulse Flashover”. Sept 2016.
HubNet Smart Grid Symposium 2015: The Future of Network Infrastructure Invited Panel Speaker & Presentation: “EPSRC Top and Tail Transformation: Replacement of SF6”. IET Birmingham. Sept 2015.
HubNet Smart Grid Symposium 2015: The Future of Network Infrastructure.Poster: “CF3I Gas Insulated Line (GIL) Demonstrator”. IET Birmingham. Sept 2015.
Hubnet Energy Networks Research Forum Poster: “Alternatives to SF6 as an Insulation Medium for Distribution Equipment” (PNRA). April 2014
Sixth Universities High Voltage Network Colloquium (UHVnet) Poster: “CF3I as an alternative to SF6 in Distribution Equipment”. University of Strathclyde, Glasgow 2013
Fifth Universities High Voltage Network Colloquium (UHVnet) Poster in section: HV Insulation Systems: Conventional, Composite and Novel Systems “CF3I as an Alternative to SF6 in Gas Insulated Switchgear”. University of Leicester 2012.
Committees and reviewing
Journal reviewer for MDPI journals: Energies, Processes, Sensors, Applied sciences and IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation.
Publications
We are currently unable to retrieve the list of publications. Visit our institutional repository.Teaching
2022/2023
EN1072 Laboratory (Year 1 Lecturer) - Develop practical laboratory skills relevant to the Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Integrated Engineering programmes through experiments and design activities.
EN2083 Electrical and Electronic Engineering 4 (Year 2 Lecturer) - The digital component of this module covers practical problems associated with hazards in Boolean logic circuits, asynchronous sequential state machines and introduces students to programmable logic design techniques.
EN2710 Group Design Project (Year 2) - Group supervisor and Solidworks tutorial lecturer.
EN3820 Introduction to Magnetic Materials (Year 3 Lecturer) - Joint laboratory lecturer characterising unknown magnetic materials, coursework reviewer and assessment.
EN3024 Engineering Project Management (Year 3) - Project lead supervisor / co-supervisor and performance reviews, viva and dissertation examiner.
EN3400 Individual Project (Year 3) - Project lead supervisor / co-supervisor and performance reviews, viva and dissertation examiner.
Previous Years
EN0017 Introduction to Algebra (Foundation Lecturer) - An introduction to mathematical Algebra with components relevant to the engineering programmes undertaken in the School of Engineering.
EN0021 Engineering Applications (Foundation Lecturer) - The development of practical laboratory skills with electrical and electronic experiments relevant to the engineering programmes undertaken within the School of Engineering.
EN2709 Power Systems Analysis (Year 2) - Power systems laboratory demonstrator
Funded Projects
| Title | People | Sponsor | Value | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engage – Engineering Aniimations Engagement |
P. Lugg-Widger, D. Syrop, D. Carr, C. Harrison, D. Zabek and D. Mitchard. |
Royal Academy of Engineering Ingenious Award |
£20837 |
01/09/2023 - 31/07/2024 |
| Vacuum pump and liquid nitrogen heat exchanger |
D. Mitchard and P. Lugg-Widger |
Cardiff University Engineering Research Boost fund | £6360 |
01/03/2023 - 31/07/2023 |
| Magnetic Animations Public Engagement Internship (CIDS) |
P. Lugg-Widger, D. Syrop, C. Harrison, J. Liu and D. Zabek. |
Innovation for All Programme & Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) | 3500 |
20/06/2022 - 12/08/2022 |
| Magnations - Magnetic Animations (Public Engagement Proof-of-Concept Fund) |
P. Lugg-Widger, K. Jones, D. Syrop, C. Harrison, J. Liu and D. Zabek. |
Innovation for All Programme & Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) | 7500 |
01/09/2021 - 31/08/2022 |
| Limiting SF6 leakage and full-scale validation test facility |
Haddad M, Reid A, Featherston C, Lugg-Widger P. |
National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc | 335870 |
01/04/2019 - 30/09/2021 |
| Alternatives to SF6 as an Insulation Medium for Distribution Equipment |
Widger P, Haddad M, |
Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) via Strathclyde University | 27000 |
01/02/2017 - 31/10/2017 |
| By-Product Analysis of CF3I Gas Mixtures as an Alternative Interrupting Meidum |
Haddad M, Widger P |
Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) via Strathclyde University | 50000 |
01/07/2015 - 31/03/2016 |
Internships
| Title | Student | Funder | Value | Duration |
| Replicating Stratospheric Lightning Laboratory Internship |
CU Research Internship (CUROP) |
2000 | 03/07/2023 – 25/08/2023 | |
| Magnetic Engineering Public Outreach Internship | CU Innovation & Impact Internship | 2000 | 19/06/2023 – 11/08/2023 | |
| Magnetic Animations Public Engagement Internship (CIDS) | Nadine Aziz | CU Innovation for All Internship Programme & Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) | 3500 | 20/06/2022 - 12/08/2022 |
Supervised Students
| Title | Student | Status | Degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface discharge properties in gas mixtures | Michail Michelarakis | Current | PhD |
Supervision
I am available to supervise PhD, MPhil students, project students (undergraduate and postgraduate), interns and visiting students on the following topics:
- Future electrical transmission & distribution technologies
- High voltage insulation, measurement & testing techniques
- Atmospheric lightning physics & impact
- Acoustic emission and optical measurement techniques
- Magnetic materials characterisation, analysis & application
- Novel materials & liquid / gaseous chemical analysis
- Engineering Public Engagement
