My PhD Journey Begins!

Hi everyone!

My name is Shilan, and I am from the Kurdistan region of Iran.

I have a master's degree in structural engineering and a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. Currently, I'm  a PhD student at Université Gustave Eiffel in France. 

I was recruited as a PhD researcher, by USES2, a European network of experts and researchers aimed at developing and combining novel emerging sensing technologies for the purpose of structural health monitoring. My project is funded by European research executive agency under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement. This prestigious scholarship will fund my PhD studies and provide me with excellent collaborative opportunities with other researches and the experts within the network.

The topic of my PhD project is "Nonlinear Coda Wave Interferometry imaging (NCWIi) with active and passive pumps". NCWI tracks early damage in very heterogeneous materials like concrete. The physical idea behind NCWI is to activate, non destructively, the lips of cracks, including closed cracks, with a mechanical pump wave (clapping, sliding) and to detect this activation with coda waves. Very recent works link the new NCWI observables, initially obtained only experimentally, to intrinsic properties of the cracked zones via numerical modelling with the spectral element method. Laws connecting dimensions of the cracked area, its actual viscoelastic properties, the sizes of cracks, to NCWI observables were obtained numerically and validated in the laboratory with controlled cracks. Imaging with NCWI is still in its infancy but ongoing laboratory work suggests possible solutions for future on-site applications. The aim of the thesis is to develop and validate a new imaging method, based on NCWI observables, that will locate and characterize closed cracks or micro-cracked areas in heterogeneous environments, that are inaccessible to linear ultrasonic imaging methods. The activation of the crack lips by ambient noise will be addressed. The optimization of the use of embedded sensors (type, number, location) to generate and record the coda wave probe for a given required resolution will also be studied. For more details, you can visit this link.

Now, let's steer away from the technical jargon for a moment and dive into the whirlwind of experiences that have marked the onset of this epic journey. Here is a photo of the beautiful city where I will live for the next few years!

To express how I feel so far about the experience, picture this: 

I find myself in the heart of Europe, far from the familiar comforts of my homeland, venturing into uncharted territory both literally and figuratively. It's a heady mix of excitement and trepidation as I navigate the vibrant tapestry of French culture, from the quaint cobblestone streets to the bustling markets brimming with tantalizing delights.

But make no mistake—this adventure comes with its fair share of challenges. From deciphering the nuances of the French language to adapting to the rhythm of life in a new country, every day presents a fresh opportunity to push beyond my comfort zone and embrace the unknown.

And yet, amidst the whirlwind of change, there's an undeniable sense of wonder that permeates every moment of this journey. The warmth and hospitality of the people I've encountered have woven a tapestry of unforgettable experiences, each one adding a vibrant splash of color to the canvas of my PhD narrative.

Join me as I traverse the peaks and valleys of academia, sharing tales of triumphs, trials, and everything in between.

Until next time, let the adventure begin!