Postgraduate research opportunities A digital twin-driven high-precision net shape metal deposition process
ApplyKey facts
- Opens: Monday 20 May 2024
- Deadline: Saturday 30 November 2024
- Number of places: 1
- Duration: 3 years
- Funding: Home fee, Stipend
Overview
A PhD student is sought to undertake a project jointly funded by University of Strathclyde and National Manufacturing Institute Scotland project. The project aims at researching a disruptive digital twin-driven net shape LMD process to enhance material efficiency and throughput and precision for the remanufacturing of high-end industrial products..The PhD studentship will be 3 years, covering home fees and standard stipend.Eligibility
Candidates are expected to have:
- A first class or upper second-class UK Honours degree, or international equivalent, in engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science and engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, a closely related field.
- A strong and genuine interest in manufacturing project, as demonstrated by previous degrees, projects and/or work experience
- Familiarity with quantitative research design
- Knowledge of Manufacturing Engineering and computational modeling and simulation approaches (e.g., finite element analysis, Molecular dynamic simulation) and programming approaches(e.g. Matlab, C/C++) or a strong willingness to learn quickly
- A collaborative mindset and an independent working style
- Strong interpersonal skills with a focus on effective communication (written and oral) in English
- Ability to “learn how to learn”
If English isn't your first language, you'll need an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent with no individual score below 5.5
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
The UK industry stands on the threshold of a green transformation to deliver the UK commitment (UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy, 2021) to reach ‘net-zero’ carbon emissions as a nation by 2050. However, global consumption of engineering materials is expected to double in the next forty years (OECD: Global Material Recourses to 2060, 2018), while annual waste generation is projected to increase by 70% by 2050 (World Bank What a Waste 2.0 report, 2018).
Remanufacturing is the process of returning a used product to the OEM original performance specification and warranty. It uses 85% less energy than manufacturing, preserves more than 80% of the materials used to manufacture new products and saves more than 0.8M tonnes of CO2 emissions annually (APSRG Remanufacturing report 2014). It will surely make a vital contribution to realize the UK’s industrial strategic goal of clean growth. However, current industrial adoption of remanufacturing is still very low. 80% of moulds/dies are used only once, less than 2% end of life (EoL) parts in the UK are remanufactured (HM Government Building our Industrial Strategy report, 2017), the UK lagging significantly behind its competitors.
For example, Net shape Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) is a major remanufacturing technology. Its goal is to use right amount of material for remanufacturing. Although it has been extensively studied, using a broader range of materials, and maintaining consistency of quality whilst achieving high throughput, is a great challenge for LMD for its wide adoption.
In line with UK net-zero Industrial strategy, the project aims at researching a disruptive digital twin-driven net shape LMD process to enhance material efficiency and throughput (up to 50%) and precision (up to 25%) for the remanufacturing of high-end industrial products.
The principal objectives of the project are to research and develop;
- Smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) model of LM process;
- Real-time digital twin of LMD process;
- Artificial intelligence optimisation model embedded in the digital twin of LMD and
- To implement and demonstrate the effectiveness of the development in industrial settings at NMIS.
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 John Anderson Research Studentship Scheme (JARSS). It covers UK home tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend. International applicants are strongly encouraged to apply and to seek funding to cover the difference between the home and international tuition fees. Additional funding may be available to cover travel to conferences and academic events, software and equipment costs.
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
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
Contact us
Any query, please e-mail, Dr. Andreas Reimer, Andreas.reimer@strath.ac.uk or Prof. Xichun Luo, xichun.luo@strath.ac.uk.