James Windmill

James Windmill is a Professor in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, within the Faculty of Engineering. He holds leadership roles as Director of the Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering, Director of the Leverhulme Doctoral School in Nature Inspired Acoustics, and Co-Director of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Ultrasonic Engineering.

• PhD in Magnetic Microscopy, University of Plymouth (2002)
• BEng in Electronic Engineering, University of Plymouth (1998)
• Postdoctoral work at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol (2003–2008)
• Lecturer at University of Strathclyde (2008), promoted to Senior Lecturer (2011), Reader (2014), Professor (2017)

His research bridges biology and engineering, focusing on bioacoustic systems, particularly how insect hearing mechanisms can inspire next-generation ultrasonic sensors, acoustic transducers, and non-destructive evaluation tools. He also investigates remanufacturing for sustainable engineering and the development of biomedical sensors. His work is supported by major grants, including an ERC Consolidator Grant and a Leverhulme Trust Doctoral Scholarship grant funding 18 PhDs.

The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend in biomimetic acoustics, with research centered on insect auditory mechanics, ultrasound absorption in biological structures, and the mechanical modeling of sensory systems. These studies contribute to the broader fields of bio-inspired engineering, ultrasonic technology, and biological signal processing.

His scientific awards include:

• 2023 IEEE Sensors Journal Best Paper Runner-Up Award
• Fellow of the Royal Microscopical Society (FRMS), 2010

Professor Windmill actively supervises student projects and leads a robust research portfolio funded by EPSRC, ERC, and the Leverhulme Trust. His projects include the development of novel directional microphones for hearing aids, the European Remanufacturing Network, and biologically inspired ultrasonic transducers. He also serves as an editor for the Journal of Remanufacturing and organizes major international conferences.

He leads research infrastructure including the Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering and utilizes advanced equipment such as 3D printing systems and laser vibrometers. His lab focuses on translating biological hearing principles into practical engineering solutions for healthcare, manufacturing, and environmental sustainability.