Professor David Lane

Areas of expertise

• Counter-IED
• Instrumentation, Sensors and Measurement Science
• Renewable Energy

Background

David joined Cranfield University in 1985 after spending three years in industry. After completing a doctorate in 'Laser Interactions with Natural and Ion Beam Modified Optical Surfaces' he joined the University's lecturing staff, teaching physics on courses that range from undergraduate and diploma to MSc, including teaching electrical theory to the Ammunition Technical Officers Course for more than 25 years. During his PhD he developed ion beam analysis techniques that have been applied to film films, electronic devices, and biological and environment specimens. In 1996 David helped establish the highly successful Forensic Engineering and Science MSc and was its Academic Leader from its first intake in 1998 and its Course Chairman from August 2004. In 2009 he expanded the University’s forensic education through the development of the new Forensic MSc Programme and was its Director until September 2012, with a second term from October 2018 to October 2021. His research interests include X-ray technology, materials analysis and the growth of compound semiconductors for thin film solar cells. His sponsors included AWE, EPSRC, DSTL, EU and industry.

David was made Professor of Applied Physics on 2017 and is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics, a Chartered Physicist and was a Professional Member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences. On his retirement in January 2023 he was made Emeritus Professor.

Publications

• Articles in journals
• Conference papers
• Books