Charles Norman MacLeod

Charles Norman MacLeod is a Professor at the University of Strathclyde's Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering, holding the Babcock International Group/Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Sensor-Driven Automated Welding. He directs the £24M Sensor Enabled Automation & Robotics Control Hub (SEARCH) and oversees the ARIS MSc program. His research focuses on advanced inspection and manufacturing technologies for high-value components, including in-process welding and metal additive manufacturing. He leads interdisciplinary projects involving robotic automation, ultrasonic sensors, and non-destructive evaluation (NDE). Notable contributions include co-developing core robotic-ultrasonic technology licensed by industry and an inspection robot for Sellafield. He has received multiple awards, including the EPSRC Doctoral Prize and Knowledge Exchange Award. Current projects involve laser ultrasonic inspection systems, residual stress analysis in aluminum components, and advancing in-process NDE for additive manufacturing. He teaches modules on sensors and instrumentation, and leads the ERIC STEM outreach initiative.

Research Interests:

• Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE)
• In-Process Inspection of Fusion Welding & Additive Components
• Ultrasonic, Electromagnetic, and Visual Sensors
• Robotics Automation & Control
• Automated Manufacturing Processes

Key Projects (2025):

• Photonics & Quantum Accelerator (PQA) Robotic Laser Ultrasonic Inspection System
• Residual Stress Analysis in Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing
• Fusing A Future From Glasgow's Heritage - The Next Wave

Awards & Recognition:

• Recipient of prestigious industry and academic accolades including Royal Academy of Engineering Chair (2022) and EPSRC Doctoral Prize (2015)

Lab & Teams:

Directs SEARCH – a multidisciplinary lab integrating robotics, automation, and NDE technologies. Oversees the ERIC STEM outreach cell promoting engineering education.