Supervisor: Dr Claire Dancer

Awards available: 1

Electromagnetic materials and metamaterials have been widely studied in recent years for use in functional devices such as invisibility cloaks, lenses, and waveguides. However, the ability to produce these devices by industrially-relevant methods is currently very limited.

Dielectric ceramic nanocomposite materials are attractive for use in electromagnetic applications due to their high permittivity over wide frequency ranges. The aim of this project is to identify and develop materials and ceramic-based processing routes which allow the direct production of materials with spatially varied properties suitable for incorporation into electromagnetic devices.

This project will involve the manufacture of ceramic materials with graded electromagnetic properties by routes including die pressing and 3D printing. The student will gain hands-on experience in a range of characterisation techniques to measure the microstructural, mechanical and electromagnetic properties of the materials, including scanning electron microscopy, Raman microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The student will be based within the new International Institute for Nanocomposite Manufacturing (IINM) at WMG.

Funding Details:

Fees and maintenance at RCUK Level Length of Award: 3 years (PhD)

Eligibility:

Due to funding restrictions funding is available for well-qualified UK or EU students. Other motivated students are encouraged to apply but will need to secure their own funding.

Candidates should hold a 1st or 2.1 degree in any science or engineering discipline which had a materials content.