About the Project
Location: Streatham Campus, University of Exeter, EX4 4QJ
Supporting Company: IMERYS
University of Exeter and IMERYS are seeking a top class candidate to undertake research leading to the award of an International Engineering Doctorate awarded jointly by the Universities of Warwick, Exeter and Cranfield.
As a ‘research engineer’ on our International Doctorate programme you will have unrivalled access to some of the best teaching and industrial expertise in the world, across three universities. While you will be based at University of Exeter and IMERYS, you will also spend time at Warwick and Cranfield Universities to give you the broadest possible experience. You will emerge from the four-year programme more confident and better equipped to make a difference to your company and the global marketplace.
The development of sustainable new materials derived from plants is a subject of great importance which currently attracts much academic and industrial interest. One such material that has been widely studied in recent years is micro- or nano-fibrillated cellulose, which is prepared by unravelling natural plant fibres into micro or nano-fibres. Also known as fibrils, these consist of aligned chains of cellulose polymers which give the plants much of their mechanical strength. Microfibrillated cellulose can be made by a simple mechanical disintegration process, which may be preceded by a chemical treatment to aid the separation of the fibrils. It has great potential for making biosourced, strong and lightweight composite materials.
Microfibrillated cellulose is a hydrophilic material which is prepared in water, and so in order for it to be used in polymer composites it must be dried and dispersed into the polymer without causing re-agglomeration of the fibrils, whilst also ensuring that a suitable interface is obtained between the fibre and the polymer matrix. The initial aim of this project will be to develop methods to compatibilise the microfibres with the polymer and to incorporate them into polymer/fibre composites using techniques which are industrially feasible and scalable.
Simple composites, in which a molten thermoplastic polymer and the microfibres are compounded together before injection moulding into test pieces, will be studied. Sheet moulding, in which the fibres are laid down into a sheet and impregnated with a thermoset resin or molten thermoplastic polymer, will also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the microfibrillated cellulose as a reinforcing agent. The resulting composites will be extensively characterised at the microscale, using techniques such as electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, and at the macroscale, using mechanical, thermal and ultrasonic analysis techniques.
Imerys has developed and launched a microfibrillated cellulose product, FiberLeanTM, as a reinforcing agent for paper. This is made by a low cost mechanical disintegration process which has been implemented at the industrial scale, with the construction and operation of a satellite plant at a paper mill capable of producing in excess of 2000 tonnes/year. The extension of this proven technology to provide a reinforcing agent for polymer composites will bring benefits both to the company and to end-users who require strong, light weight composite materials with for high volume applications. Reducing the weight of composites used in transport and replacing petroleum-based plastics are both key objectives in the drive for sustainability.
Contact for Informal enquiries: Professor Steve Eichhorn ([Email Address Removed]) tel: 01392 725515.
Application criteria: Candidates should have a minimum of an upper second (2.1) honours degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, physics or engineering.
Attributes
• High levels of innovative thought and lateral thinking
• Excellent analytical and reporting skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong computer skills and the ability to learn new software quickly
• Self-motivated, capable of working with minimal guidance and supervision, and within a team.
• Enthusiasm for the subject
Applications are to be made via the University of Warwick. To apply, please complete the online enquiry form and upload your CV.
For general enquiries please contact Postgraduate Research Office at [Email Address Removed].
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