Faculty of Engineering, Advanced Materials Research Group

Background

Applications are invited from suitably qualified graduates for a fully funded 3 year PhD studentship within the top-rated Surface Engineering Research Group in the UK. In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014) the Faculty ranked 3^rd in the General Engineering Panel, with 89% of its research output classified as world leading or internationally excellent in quality. This studentship is an excellent opportunity to become involved at the forefront of Advanced Materials Processing research in a rapidly developing area and to join a dynamic and internationally renowned research team.

The PhD Project

Suspension or solution precursor thermal spraying is a novel spraying technology which utilises liquid feedstock with nanometre to micrometre sized particles to develop coatings for various high value manufacturing applications. The suspension/ solution is directly injected into the combustion chamber of a high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) gun and the particles are accelerated to supersonic velocities. The particles upon impact with the surface deform plastically and cool down rapidly to form a coating. This is a fast growing and an exciting research area. A brief introduction to the technology can be found here

A number of key challenges exist as the process is far more complex to control because the feedstock undergoes phase changes during spraying. Fundamental understanding of the processing-microstructure-property relationships is required to develop the technology further and explore novel materials. The focus of this project is on ceramic materials (such as alumina and titania) for potential use in aerospace and medical applications. 

Qualification: 

The student must have at least the equivalent of a UK 1^st or 2.1 class degree (with over 70% in the final year dissertation) in materials engineering, mechanical engineering or chemical engineering. Applications are also welcome from graduates with a chemistry/ physics degree. The student must be proficient in both written and spoken English, possess excellent presentation and communication skills. This is an experimental research project and the student must be good at laboratory work. 

Funding: 

The PhD studentship will cover full university tuition fees and a tax-free stipend at EPSRC rate (up to £15k per annum) for 3 year duration of the project. Due to funding restrictions, this opportunity is only available to students who qualify for Home/ EU tuition fees. The studentship is expected to start in September 2015.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Tanvir Hussain (tanvir.hussain<στο>nottingham.ac.uk)

Applications, with a detailed CV and a cover letter, together with the names and addresses of two referees, should be sent directly to Dr. Tanvir Hussain (tanvir.hussain<στο>nottingham.ac.uk).

Closing date: Open until filled