Postgraduate research opportunities Combining asbestos treatment with carbon capture using mechanochemistry
ApplyKey facts
- Opens: Tuesday 28 May 2024
- Deadline: Saturday 31 August 2024
- Number of places: 1
- Duration: 4 years
- Funding: Equipment costs, Home fee, Stipend, Travel costs
Overview
This project aims to capture CO2 in asbestos-containing construction materials, building on our recent research on mechanochemical carbon capture in crystalline silicates (Stillings et al. Nature Sustainability 2023).Eligibility
Applicants should have a first-class or upper-second-class bachelor's degree and/or Master’s degree in an appropriate science or engineering discipline (e.g. Chemistry, Geology, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Geoscience, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering). Theoretical and hands-on training will be provided both through the aligned SATURN Nuclear Centre for Doctoral Training and at the University of Strathclyde.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate enthusiasm, creativity, resourcefulness and a passion for problem solving. Independent and critical thinking will be encouraged, alongside the capability to work as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
Project Details
This project aims to capture CO2 in asbestos-containing construction materials, building on our recent research on mechanochemical carbon capture in crystalline silicates (Stillings et al. Nature Sustainability 2023). We aim to turn a well-known hazard into a resource to combat climate change. The PhD will investigate the potential for mechanochemical reactions, which occur due to the cracking of silicon-oxygen bonds in silicate materials, to capture greenhouse gases whilst simultaneously neutralising asbestos.
The PhD is funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and will provide the basis for a low-carbon decommissioning strategy for the safe recycling of asbestos-containing materials in legacy nuclear plants. Asbestos-containing materials are present in many legacy nuclear structures and pose physical and radiological health hazards during decommissioning. Using mechanochemistry, the researcher will explore asbestos-neutralization treatments using a range of greenhouse gases with the aim of not only treating the asbestos but also providing a new carbon capture technology. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to carry out experiments and analysis using world-leading facilities such as Brookhaven National Laboratory (USA) and the Diamond Lightsource Synchrotron to understand the mechanochemical reaction processes.
The successful candidate will join a research team at the University of Strathclyde in the exciting new field of silicate mechanochemistry, focused on capturing greenhouse gases and developing low-carbon construction materials using mechanochemical reactions. The researcher will join the SATURN Nuclear Energy Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT), where they will benefit from a 3-month taught course led by subject experts in material science, radiochemistry, and nuclear engineering, followed by 3-4 months of research skills training to prepare the researcher with the skills and knowledge to succeed as an independent researcher.
Further information
This project is part of the SATURN CDT.
Funding details
The project is funded through a Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) Bursary totalling £149,000. Funding includes tuition fees, a four-year stipend at the Home student rate and a maintenance grant for 4 years, starting at the UKRI minimum of £19,237 pa. for 2024-2025, research costs and travel expenses.
While there is no funding in place for opportunities marked "unfunded", there are lots of different options to help you fund postgraduate research. Visit funding your postgraduate research for links to government grants, research councils funding and more, that could be available.
Apply
To apply, and for further information, please email mark.stillings@strath.ac.uk.
Number of places: 1
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Contact us
Informal enquiries are welcomed. Please get in touch if you have any questions.
For informal enquires email Dr Mark Stillings (mark.stillings@strath.ac.uk).