Future Machines must become more efficient, easier, smarter and safer and have a minimal impact on the climate, nature and human life. They must also become more efficient and lighter in order to reduce energy consumption, cost and the use of resources. Machines have to be smarter and safer, in order to offer more flexibility, more autonomy and less risk of injury.

Smart Machine and Materials (SM2) at Luleå University of Technology (LTU) aims to develop new technologies and new materials that make it possible to reduce the weight and optimize the strength, to enhance the tribological and interface properties, efficiency and robustness, to be able to monitor a product remotely and to interpret signals and take action using intelligent automatic methods.

SM2 mission@LTU: Enabling the development of smarter machines, materials and processes, by establishing new methods, tools, models and multidisciplinary approaches, through research and understanding of physical phenomena. LTU is a leading university promoting smart machines, materials and processes through multi-disciplinary and multi-scale approaches in mechanical engineering and materials science

Project description:

Smart Machines and Materials (SM2) are one of the strong research and innovation areas at LTU. The research project has focus on numerical modeling of grease flow and the possibility to actively control the rheology of lubricants (greases). The outcomes of the project would comprehensively lead us to the understanding of how lubricating grease flow in complex geometries and how its flow characteristics is dependent on the grease rheology. With an increased understanding of the grease flow dynamics, and the possibility to actively control the rheology of the grease, the industry and research community will have a foundation for how to design e.g. bearings, lubrications systems and seals to optimize the lubrication, grease pumpability, and geometry for maximum protection for contaminant particles. Grease flow is of particular interest in this project, but the models to be built are applicable to any lubricant in general.

Work Duties:

• Perform CFD simulations of grease flow in a straight channel, a straight channel with restrictions and in a 3D Double Restriction Seal geometry. Validation with data from µPIV measurements.
• Same as in (1) but with a magnetorheological fluid (magnetized grease). Model the response of the flow to an applied magnetic field.
• Build a numerical circuit model where the applied magnetic field can be actively controlled for the geometries in (1)-(2).

Please submit your application for this position by clicking on the "Apply through website" button. 

The application should include a CV including relevant academic and professional experience, list of the publications, personal letter and copies of verified (or certifications of diplomas) diplomas from university. Mark your application with the reference number below. Your application, including diplomas, must be written in English or Swedish. In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

This post-doctoral position is a full time position for a period of one year (each project period is 12 months). For more information regarding this project please contact:

Professor Staffan Lundström (Scientific Director), Staffan.Lundstrom@ltu.se phone +46 920 492392

Associate Professor Nazanin Emami (Assistant Scientific Director), Nazanin.emami@ltu.se, phone +46 920 491939

Union representatives

SACO-S Daina Dagis, +46 920-49 3880 daina.dagis@ltu.se

OFR-S Lars Frisk, +46 920-49 1792 lars.frisk@ltu.se

Qualifications:

The applicant must have a PhD degree in relevant engineering topics (Mechanical Engineering or Engineering Physics with specialization in numerical modeling of non-Newtonian flows), not longer than 4 years prior to application. Documented research on multi-physical non-Newtonian flows is especially meritorious; e.g. fluid-structure interaction, multi-phase flows and magnetorheological flows.

Apply here: http://www.ltu.se/ltu/Lediga-jobb?l=en&rmpage=job&rmjob=1327&rmlang=UK