Circular hybrid manufacturing involving metal binder jetting process

This PhD project will ignite an exciting new research area for the sustainable production, consumption and recycling of metallic materials for use in Metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes, in particular binder jetting process.

With the proposed research route, the energy footprint of producing metal powders will be dramatically reduced. Chips will be collected after machining and converted to powders for binder jetting. The resulting AM parts will be then analysed for surface integrity, mechanical, thermal and tribological properties. The impact of the research will underpin cost effective waste management of metallic chips and their recycling for the use in powder form when producing high value AM components.

The School of Engineering at Cardiff University has recently acquired a research and development focussed metal binder jetting machine which is the 1^st of its kind in the UK. Metal binder jetting has profound opportunities for producing intricate mesoscale parts for aerospace, automotive, biomedical, marine and aesthetic sectors. The student will have the opportunity to work along the world-class research groups in Cardiff and to interact with other eminent UK universities and industry.

The student will be working within the High-Value Manufacturing Group’s two major research labs - Additive Manufacturing and Micro and Nano-manufacturing. The student will receive training in the following experimental techniques:

·     Powder bed fusion process.

·     Metal binder jetting process.

·     Surface and mechanical integrity analysis.

Throughout the project, the scientific communication skills of the student will be developed through presentation at conferences and preparing scientific articles for publication.

Academic Criteria

Candidates should hold a good bachelor’s degree (first or upper second-class honours degree) or an MEng/MSc degree in a relevant engineering/science subject.

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent)

Contact for further information

Dr Debajyoti Bhaduri ([Email Address Removed])

How to apply

Applicants should submit an application for postgraduate study via the Cardiff University  webpages (http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/programmes/programme/engineering ) including;

·        an upload of your CV

·        a personal statement/covering letter

·        two references (applicants are recommended to have a third academic referee, if the two academic referees are within the same department/school)

·        Current academic transcripts

Applicants should select Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering), with a start date of

PLEASE CHOOSE - 1st April 2024, 1st July 2024 or 1st October 2024.

In the research proposal section of your application, please specify the project title and supervisors of this project and copy the project description in the text box provided. In the funding section, please select "I will be applying for a scholarship / grant" and specify that you are applying for advertised funding, reference DB6-SF-2024

Deadline for applications

We may however close this opportunity earlier if a suitable candidate is identified.