Postgraduate research opportunities Mechanochemical separation of hydrogen isotopes
ApplyKey facts
- Opens: Monday 15 April 2024
- Deadline: Wednesday 26 June 2024
- Number of places: 1
- Duration: 4 years
- Funding: Equipment costs, Stipend, Home fee, Travel costs
Overview
The PhD project will build on pilot experiments conducted at Strathclyde to develop a new technology that uses mechanochemical reactions to separate hydrogen isotopes. The project builds on research published in Stillings, Shipton and Lunn, Nature Sustainability, 2023 that uses mechanochemical reactions to trap CO2.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. Knowledge of isotope chemistry and basic laboratory skills would be beneficial. However, 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.
Project Details
The PhD project will build on pilot experiments conducted at Strathclyde to develop a new technology that uses mechanochemical reactions to separate hydrogen isotopes. The project builds on research published in Stillings, Shipton and Lunn, Nature Sustainability, 2023[1] that uses mechanochemical reactions to trap CO2. In mechanochemistry, fracturing of the chemical bonds by a mechanical stimulus, releases charged particles and photons, and produces an instantaneous localized temperature increase of >600°C that can be used to drive a reaction such as the production of H2 gas and H+ ions in water [Stillings et al 2021]. The successful candidate will explore the potential of mechanochemistry to provide a cheap technology for isotope separation, that can reduce the requirements for more expensive technologies, such as cryogenic distillation.
Research Hypothesis: Mechanochemical reactions can provide a cheap technology for isotope separation that could be used to reduce industry requirements for more expensive methods, such as cryogenic distillation.
The PhD project will build on our pilot mechanochemical experiments to develop a new technology for hydrogen isotope separation. Specific objectives are:
- to demonstrate that mechanochemical reactions can be used to progressively separate hydrogen isotopes from liquid water, hydrogen gas and water vapour
- to determine the rate of change in the isotope ratio, as a function of the particle size reduction and of the new rock surface area created
- to explore the most efficient rock type for mechanochemical hydrogen isotope separation
- to determine the effect of temperature on the mechanochemical reactions
- to explore targeted release of specific isotopes from the resulting rock powders
The candidate is not expected to have any prior knowledge of mechanochemistry. Applicants with a first degree in materials science, chemistry, physics, chemical engineering or environmental engineering are encouraged to apply.
Further information
This project is part of the SATURN CDT.
Funding details
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. 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 followed by 3-4 months of research skills training to prepare the researcher with the skills and knowledge to succeed as an independent researcher.
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, please email: SATURN@manchester.ac.uk.
Number of places: 1
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Contact us
For informal enquires email Prof Rebecca Lunn (rebecca.lunn@strath.ac.uk).