New PhD opportunity with ACG

Developing Polymer Composite Structures for Processing Corrosive Fluids

We are currently seeking an outstanding and committed graduate to undertake research in the area of Polymer Composite Structures for Processing Corrosive Fluids. This fully funded PhD position is open to candidates from the UK and EU.

Despite the fact that polymer composites have been extensively used in various chemical-related applications (e.g. tanks and pipes), long-term resistance against hot concentrated chemicals still remains extremely challenging for most polymer composites today. Composite design for these types of applications can be further complicated when the composite structure is going to be used to process chemical fluids, such as rotatory propellers in engineering pumps. As a result, fluid-structure interaction needs to be investigated for composite design under coupled thermochemical environment. This project is aimed to develop a novel design process and manufacturing route to producing corrosion-resistant composite structure for controlling chemical fluids such as sulphuric and phosphoric acids. The key challenges that will be addressed in this project involve 1) material selection and characterisation for chemical resistance at elevated temperatures, 2) composite structure design for fluids control using FEA, and 3) component prototyping using 3D printing for complex geometry.

A full description of the position, including funding notes, can be found at jobs.ac.uk