About the Project
Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of tribology, leading to the award of a PhD degree.
The energy sector is attempting to replace metallic wear parts with polymeric materials for reasons of cost, durability, conformability to dynamic seal surfaces and resistance to chemical attack (corrosion, swelling, thermal or thermo-oxidative degradation). Polymers such as polyphenylene sulphide, polyaryletherketone and polyimide are common candidates and they are frequently reinforced with fillers such as carbon black, graphite, molybdenum disulphide, lubricious polymer like PTFE and metallic powders, such as high lead bronze and bismuth. The tribology for these polymeric components governs the efficiency and durability of the engineering systems they are involved. Yet, very little is known about the tribology of polymer.
This project concerns the tribological performance of reinforced polymer in conditions relevant to the energy sector. It is experimental and it addresses the fundamental aspect of polymer tribology, driven by an urgent need from the Energy sector. We focus on the role of transfer films. We aim to obtain a in-depth understanding on the nature and also the formation and functioning mechanisms of transfer films. Various polymeric systems will be investigated and general principles on the tribology of polymer in Energy section will be formulated. The project is multidisciplinary, combining, tribology, mechanics, heat transfer, chemistry and materials science. In addition, you will also work very closely with an industrial sponsor who specialised design and manufacutring engineering components for the energy sector.
You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College. You will have a background in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering or a related field and an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. You should have strong interest in experimental work and methodology development. Training will be given in tribology and investigative techniques including fluorescence imaging and spectroscopy, electron microscopy and surface topography. You will become a skilled communicator, comfortable in an international situation.
To find out more about research at Imperial in this area, go to:
http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/mechanicalengineering
Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Dr Wong on the above link.
Committed to equality and valuing diversity. We are also an Athena Bronze SWAN Award winner, a Stonewall Diversity Champion and a Two Ticks Employer
Funding Notes
The post is supported by a bursary and fees (at the UK/EU student rate) provided by an EPSRC DTA grant. The studentship is for 3 years from Oct 2014 and is available for UK and EU candidates meeting the Research Council criterion of having been resident in the UK for the previous 3 years, but other sources of funding might be available for highly qualified students.
Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry
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