Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Arts
Dr Ing. John Charles Betts graduated B. Mech. Eng. (Hon.s) from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Malta in 1991. In 2006 he graduated MSc in Astronomy from Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria, Australia. In 2008 he obtained his PhD in Engineering for his research on laser material deposition of ceramic-reinforced metal surfaces.
Dr. Betts worked as research engineer on remote sensing with the Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Insular Coastal Dynamics of the University of Malta for a period of two and a half years before becoming assistant lecturer with the Dept of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering of the University. He became lecturer in 2008 on attaining his doctorate degree, and has lectured on materials engineering, engineering ceramics, ceramics and glass in conservation and materials selection since 2001; since 2009 he has also participated in lectures on scientific techniques for Archaeology students. He became head of the Dept in April 2011 and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering in May 2011. His main research areas was laser deposition of metal powders and metal/ceramic blends. On completion of his term as Dean and Head of Department he transferred to the Dept. of Classics and Archaeology, where he supports and participates in teaching and research as an engineer. His current research work is on archaeological pottery. He is also leading a drone-based remote sensing project dedicated to use over archaeological sites.
Prior to his employment with University Dr. Betts was manager of the Steel Outfitting Dept at Malta Shipbuilding Co. Ltd for five years, and production engineer at Stainless Steel Products Ltd for three years.
Research interest: Archaeological materials, materials selection.
Selected Publications:
- D’Amato, C., Buhagiar, J. & Betts, J.C. 2014, “Tribological characteristics of an A356 aluminium alloy laser surface alloyed with nickel and Ni-Ti-C”, Applied Surface Science, vol. 313, pp. 720-729.
- D’Amato, C., Buhagiar, J. & Betts, J.C. 2014, “Laser surface alloying of an A356 aluminium alloy using nickel and Ni-Ti-C: A corrosion study”, Surface & Coatings Technology, vol. 244, pp. 194.
- Fenech, M., Mallia, B., Grech, M. & Betts, J.C. 2013, “Post-deposition heat treatment of co-deposited Cr3C2 and AISI 410 stainless steel using the coaxial laser deposition technique”, Journal of Materials Science, vol. 48, pp. 2224.
- Fenech, M., Grech, M. & Betts, J.C. 2012, “The in-flight temperature variation and dissolution of WC powder particles producing an Fe-Cr-W-C system by direct laser deposition,”, Surface & Coatings Technology, vol. 207, pp. 211.
- Betts, J.C. 2010, “Laser surface modification of aluminium and magnesium alloys” in Surface engineering of light alloys: Aluminium, magnesium and titanium alloys, ed. H. Dong, 1st edn, Woodhead Publishing Limited, CRC Press, Cambridge, pp. 444-444-474.
- Betts, J.C., Mordike, B.L. & Grech, M. 2010, “Characterisation, wear and corrosion testing of laser-deposited AISI 316 reinforced with ceramic particles”, Surface Engineering, vol. 26, no. 1-2, pp. 21-29.
- D’amato, C., Fenech, M., Abela, S., Betts, J. & Buhagiar, J. 2010, “Autogenous Laser Keyhole Welding of AISI316LTi”, Materials and Manufacturing Processes, vol. 25, no. 11, pp. 1269-1277.
- Betts, J.C., Mordike, B.L., Fenech, M. & Grech, M. 2009, “Direct laser deposition and sliding wear of AISI316/WC10Ni and AISI316/Cr3C2 surfaces”, Surface Engineering, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 167-176.
- Betts, J.C. 2009, “The direct laser deposition of AISI316 stainless steel and Cr3C2 powder”, Journal of Materials Processing Technology, vol. 209, no. 11, pp. 5229-5238.
- Betts, J.C., Mordike, B.L., Zammit Ann & Grech, M. 2008, “The Laser Deposition of Ceramic Particles Coated with High-Reflectivity Metals”, Lasers in Engineering, vol. 18, no. 3-4, pp. 163-185.