Postgraduate research opportunities Design and control of nanoparticle structuring and self-organisation

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Key facts

  • Opens: Thursday 22 February 2024
  • Deadline: Monday 31 March 2025
  • Number of places: 1
  • Duration: 3 years

Overview

This project uses molecular simulation and theory to examine the link between different features in the interactions between particles and their self-organisation to provide insights into how nanoparticles can be tuned to enable design of materials with specific structural properties.
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Eligibility

Students applying should have (or expect to achieve) a minimum 2.1 undergraduate degree in a relevant engineering/science discipline, and be very motivated to undertake highly multidisciplinary research.

THE Awards 2019: UK University of the Year Winner
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Project Details

Nature forms many materials which possess intricate structures on length scales from nanometres to many microns, which are important in applications ranging from

biological systems to porous materials for energy storage. In many of these materials the basic building blocks are nanoparticles that interact with each other in complex ways such as a short-ranged attraction combined with a long-ranged repulsion. The competing tendencies of the particles to aggregate at short length scales and yet spread apart at large length scales are thought to lead to the formation of complex, multiscale structures. This project explores what interactions between particles are required to form different structures. A combination of molecular dynamics simulations and integral equation theory will be used to examine how various features of the interaction determine how the particles organise themselves. This will lead to important insights into how nanoparticles can be tuned to enable design of materials with specific structural properties useful to specific applications.

In addition to undertaking cutting edge research, students are also registered for the Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Development (PGCert), which is a supplementary qualification that develops a student’s skills, networks and career prospects.

Further information

This PhD project is initially offered on a self-funding basis. It is open to applicants with their own funding, or those applying to funding sources. However, excellent candidates will be eligible to be considered for a University scholarship.

The University of Strathclyde is a socially progressive institution that strives to ensure equality of opportunity and celebrates the diversity of its student and staff community. Strathclyde is people-oriented and collaborative, offering a supportive and flexible working culture with a deep commitment to our equality, diversity and inclusion charters, initiatives, groups and networks.

We strongly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnicity, women, LGBT+, and disabled candidates and candidates from lower socio-economic groups and care-experienced backgrounds.

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Supervisors

Dr Leo Lue

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Chemical and Process Engineering

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Number of places: 1

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Chemical and Process Engineering

Programme: Chemical and Process Engineering

PhD
full-time
Start date: Oct 2024 - Sep 2025

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Contact us

  • chemeng-pg-admissions@strath.ac.uk
  • James Weir Building, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow, G1 1XJ