Aerospace Flow Control Actuator Technology Performance Enhancement Using High Strain-Temperature Lead Free Piezoceramic Materials

The Industry and Innovation Research Institute (I2Ri) draws on talents, expertise and facilities across Sheffield Hallam University. The vision is to be the leading provider of applied research excellence delivering materials, computing, science and engineering innovations meeting the development needs of industry.

PhD Research Topic

This PhD opportunity offers an exciting multidisciplinary project for you to develop a broad range of research skills utilising simulation and experimental techniques in both Aerospace and Materials Engineering disciplines. The ability to take new piezoceramic materials straight from the lab and deploy these within an aerospace actuator technology is a unique opportunity to kickstart your career in Aerospace research at the forefront of modern flow control.

Recent reports of exceptionally high strain properties from new piezoceramic materials developed for high temperature environments have multiple applications within the aerospace industry. This research seeks the exploitation of these new materials for specific use as actuators for flow control applications through bench then wind tunnel test demonstrations. Active flow control actuators typically incorporate a thin piezoceramic layer adhered to a metal substrate. The current technology is limited by the yield stress and depolarisation temperature of the piezoceramic, which can fracture under high bending moments and become inactive at moderate temperatures. This project seeks to fabricate bespoke piezoceramic actuators to investigate the application of these materials for multiple flow control methodologies and characterise their performance. Upon completion, the student will have setup a Flow Control Materials Technology Test Bed Facility capable of rapid assessment of new materials coming from the lab. The student will cycle through the development of piezoceramic compounds. Promising materials for combinations of high strain high temperature lead free properties selected to go forward for aero-mechanical testing will be driven to their strain and/or temperature limit on the bench to ascertain the actuator performance. The actuators demonstrating high performance will progress to small scale wind tunnel test in the SHU Closed Loop Low Speed Wind Tunnel Facility.

Any outputs would be high impact factor journal papers (typical impact factor: Aerospace 1.5-2, Materials 4-6). The GTA programme will be supported by leading Aerospace scientists from both academic and industrial collaborators who have committed industrial steering to support the PhD research. By establishing a materials-aero-mechanical test-bed facility, towards rapid development of piezoceramic actuators for flow control, we would be well positioned to apply for follow on research funding in collaboration with our existing academic and industrial partners.

The programme will be split into four work packages:

WP1 Establishing Actuator Benchmarks – Lead (Pb) and Lead-free Actuators

Actuator performance is established using a piezoceramic diaphragm driven at a resonant frequency, matched to that of an air cavity within the actuator body, acting as a Helmhotz resonator and maximizing the fluidic energy yield from the device.

WP2 Establishing Multiphysics Simulation Based Design Tools

In order to drive the actuators at optimal performance, a fluid structure interaction simulation work package will facilitate this process efficiently, to quickly establish simple design tools to inform follow on work packages.

WP3 Fabricating a Modified Lead-free Piezoelectric

Cycling through the development of promising compounds to conduct piezoceramic materials characterisation testing in MERI using XRD, SEM and S-M diagnostics, before constructing simple actuator devices.

WP4 Wind Tunnel Testing

The actuators demonstrated to have promising performance on the bench will then progress to small scale wind tunnel test in the SHU Closed Loop Low Speed Wind Tunnel Facility developed by the DoS, working section 0.45x0.45x1.3m, maximum speed 35m/s. The successful demonstration of the performance of a lead-free actuator using this methodology will constitute an actuator ready to be deployed at higher speed and Reynolds number within a larger scale wind tunnel environment, thus ready to move to a higher Technology Readiness Level.

Eligibility

Applicants should hold a 1st or 2:1 Honours degree in a related discipline. A Master’s degree in a related area is desirable. We welcome applications from all candidates irrespective of age, pregnancy and maternity, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, or marital or civil partnership status.

International candidates are required to provide an IELTS certificate with a score of at least 6.5 overall, and a minimum of 6.0 in all components. For further information on English Language requirements, please click here.

For further details on entry requirements, please click here.

How to apply

All applications must be submitted using the online application form. To apply, click here. In your application, be sure to include the title of the project that you are applying for.

As part of your application, please upload:

• A research proposal (max. 1500 words) in your own words, briefly outlining the proposed research, the current knowledge and context referencing key background literature; a proposed methodology or approach to answer the key questions, and any potential significance or impact of the research
• Copy of your highest degree certificate
• Non-UK applicants must submit IELTs results (or equivalent) taken in the last two years and a copy of their passport.

Applicants must provide 2 references, with at least one to be academic. References must be received directly from the referees.

We strongly recommend you contact the lead academic, Jonathan Potts j.r.potts@shu.ac.uk, to discuss your application.

For information on how to apply please visit https://www.shu.ac.uk/research/degrees