Supervisory Team: Robert Wood and Richard Wills
Project description
The hydrodynamic drag experienced by moving underwater and surface vehicles can have a significant impact on their mission energy budgets in to propelling them through the oceanic fluidic medium, with the drag and the required power increasing non-linearly with the speed of travel. The proposed topic of research is to develop and test wetted surfaces that actively control drag using nanopatterning and electrochemical techniques. The goal would be to produce and sustain a gas layer at the solid/seawater interface. Work would build on small scale feasibility trials and scale up suitable techniques to allow spinning disc and then water flume based drag testing. Successful candidates would have a strong background in engineering and preference would be given to those with good understanding of fluid mechanics, surface science, electrochemical engineering, tribology and materials. This project will be funded by BAEsystems under the EPSRC iCASE scheme and will involve collaboration with BAESystems Maritime services at Portsmouth. BAEsystems will offer a base for the student work, potential placement options to gain experience of industrial working and invitations to their annual BAESystems sponsored student conference.
Professor Robert J K Wood | Engineering | University of Southampton
Dr Richard G A Wills | Engineering | University of Southampton
national Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS) | Engineering | University of Southampton
If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact r.wood, nCATS research group, Email: [Email Address Removed], Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 4881.
Entry Requirements
A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).
Closing date: applications should be received no later than 31 August 2022 for standard admissions, but later applications may be considered depending on the funds remaining in place.
Funding: For UK students, Tuition Fees and a stipend of £16,062 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years.
How To Apply
Applications should be made online. Select programme type (Research), 2022/23, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “PhD Engineering & Environment (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Robert Wood
Applications should include:
Curriculum Vitae
Two reference letters
Degree Transcripts to date
Apply online: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/how-to-apply/postgraduate-applications.page
For further information please contact: [Email Address Removed]
Continue with Facebook
