Postgraduate research opportunities Multi materials additive manufacturing for ship building application
ApplyKey facts
- Opens: Thursday 8 February 2024
- Deadline: Saturday 31 August 2024
- Number of places: 1
- Duration: 3.5 years
- Funding: Home fee, Stipend
Overview
The project provides an excellent opportunity to make impact on sustainable manufacturing and zero emission shipping. The candidate will work on scientific challenges involved in multi materials manufacturing applied to ship building application.Eligibility
Candidates are expected to have:
- A first class or upper second-class UK Honours degree, or international equivalent, in engineering, physics, science, or a closely related field, e.g. mechanical engineering, materials science/engineering, manufacturing science/engineering, welding technology/engineering, metallurgy.
- A strong and genuine interest in researching manufacturing and materials domain for sustainable future, by previous degrees, projects and/or work experience.
- A prior experience on materials processing/characterisation/mechanical properties through masters/bachelor’s degree project.
- Knowledge of materials processing (process physics), materials science, use of materials characterisation and testing tools (e.g. electron microscopy (SEM, EDX, EBSD), X-ray diffraction (XRD)), mechanical testing, and corrosion.
- An ability to interpret, analyse and correlate results using analytical skills.
- A collaborative mindset and an independent working style.
- Strong interpersonal skills with a focus on effective communication (written and oral) in English
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and from minority groups that are likely to be under-represented in our academic community. This includes, but is not limited to: Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, women, and people from low-income or immigrant backgrounds. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that diverse candidates bring to DMEM and the university. We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
Project Details
Zero-emission shipping transition is greatly restricted by the design and manufacture of light weight, cost effective, and high performing reliable materials structures in marine environment. The conventional manufacturing of multi-materials structure in ship building industries is performed by non-sustainable manufacturing processes with multiple manufacturing steps. This project will address sustainable manufacturing for zero emission shipping through contribution of new knowledge and understanding on scientific challenges related to multi materials additive manufacturing.
Multi materials manufacturing is challenging due to differences in thermophysical and chemical properties of materials. These dissimilarities in properties of multi materials structure led to formation of detrimental intermetallic compounds (IMCs), coarse oxide agglomeration, interfacial defects, residual stresses, heterogeneous microstructure, and that in-turn leads to a brittle interface, degrades mechanical properties and a propensity to corrode. Subsequently, this affects the performance and reliability of multi materials component in a marine environment.
This interesting project is aimed to provide scientific solutions and address the above challenges with focus on answers to following research questions.
- How and which processing conditions influence multi material manufacturability for drastically different materials in terms of chemical and physical properties?
- What is the interfacial bonding mechanism(s) under novel processing conditions?
- How IMCs and oxide agglomeration at the multi material bond interface influence structural and corrosion performance? How to mitigate detrimental IMCs formation and improve performance for marine structure application?
- How novel processing strategies influence the sensitization prone microstructure at built location/bulk material adjacent to interface of marine grade aluminium material?
The project contributes directly to shipbuilding application through scientific knowledge on futuristic solution of multi materials manufacturing.
Further information
Interviews with qualified and promising candidates will be conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Funding details
This PhD project is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council - Doctoral Training Partnership (EPSRC - DTP). It covers UK home tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend. This studentship is open to home students only. Additional funding may be available to cover travel to conferences and academic events, software, and equipment costs.
Apply
Number of places: 1
To read how we process personal data, applicants can review our 'Privacy Notice for Student Applicants and Potential Applicants' on our Privacy notices' web page.
Design, Manufacturing and Engineering Management
Programme: Design, Manufacturing and Engineering Management