A UNIVERSITY of Huddersfield Engineering academic has been honoured with the prestigious Achenbach Medal, a global award recognising outstanding contributions to Structural Health Monitoring.
Shirsendu Sikdar, senior lecturer in mechanical engineering, has been awarded what is regarded as the highest international distinction for early-career researchers in the field of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) - monitoring the condition and safety of structures.
The medal, named in honour of J. D. Achenbach, whose groundbreaking work laid many of the scientific foundations for modern SHM, was presented at the 12th European Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring held recently in Toulouse, France.
It recognises an outstanding researcher, within ten years of completing their PhD, who has made exceptional contributions to advancing the science and technology of SHM.
Sikdar received the award in recognition of his significant contributions to intelligent SHM and non-destructive evaluation (NDE) through the integration of ultrasonic guided waves, acoustic emission, smart-sensing, machine learning, and cyber-physical systems.
His research is transforming how safety-critical engineering structures are monitored, enabling autonomous damage detection and predictive maintenance across renewable energy, hydrogen technologies, aerospace, transportation and advanced composite structures.
Since joining the University of Huddersfield in 2023, Sikdar has also established and leads the Smart-SHM and NDE Research Team, an interdisciplinary research group focused on developing next-generation intelligent monitoring technologies for sustainable engineering systems.
"Receiving the Achenbach Medal is an extraordinary honour and a defining milestone in my research career. To be recognised by the international Structural Health Monitoring community is both deeply rewarding and incredibly motivating," he said. "I am grateful to my supervisors, mentors, collaborators, colleagues, students, family and friends, for their support. I would also like to acknowledge the outstanding research environment at the University of Huddersfield, which has enabled us to build an ambitious and internationally connected research programme.
"I am particularly proud of what we have achieved through the Smart-SHM Research Team. Our work combines intelligent sensing, artificial intelligence and digital twin technologies that have the potential to transform how critical engineering infrastructure is monitored and maintained."
Paul Allen, associate dean of research and innovation at the University’s School of Computing and Engineering, said that the award recognised "the originality, quality and impact" of Sikdar's research on the global stage. "Shirsendu has rapidly established himself as an international leader in intelligent Structural Health Monitoring, and his success reflects the ambition, innovation and collaborative spirit that define research at the University of Huddersfield. His work is helping to shape safer, smarter and more sustainable engineering systems for the future," he added.
Leigh Fleming, acting dean of the School of Computing and Engineering, stated that "Shirsendu's achievement is a source of immense pride for the School". "Through his leadership of the Smart-SHM Research Team, he has created an exciting research environment that is attracting talented researchers, securing competitive funding and delivering internationally recognised research," she continued. "The Achenbach Medal is fitting recognition of both his scientific excellence and his dedication to nurturing the next generation of engineering researchers."
Under Sikdar's leadership, the Smart-SHM Research Team has developed international collaborations focused on monitoring hydrogen energy systems, wind turbines, aerospace structures and other safety-critical infrastructure. Throughout his career, he has secured around £1m in funding from multiple competitive research grants and currently leads projects focused on intelligent monitoring systems for hydrogen energy technologies and advanced composite structures.
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