Designing the properties of renewable plastics

The world relies on the availability of cheap and plentiful plastics, which can have a wide range of functionalities and applications. Since they are light-weight and robust, they are excellent for the packaging, distribution and preservation of food. However, they also do not decompose naturally, so that plastic pollution is becoming an increasingly urgent global ‘Plastic Challenge’. Furthermore, nearly all current plastics are made from fossil fuels, which brings its own set of existential challenges to mankind. 

It is of course possible to make plastics from non-fossil fuel feed stocks, such as plants and bacteria, and some of these plastics are compostable in the natural environment, providing possible routes to overcoming some aspects of the plastic challenge. However, the properties of these new plastics need to be optimised in the way that traditional plastics have been over many decades. The properties of interest include strength, barriers to oxygen and water, and the ability to be easily processed to create films or other desirable structures. Crucial to all of these is the degree of crystallinity within the materials, how quickly it forms during processing, and how the crystals are packed together in space. 

In this project, we will build on previous work at the University of Strathclyde to model the development of microstructure in renewable and compostable PHA plastics. The project is suited to students interested in computational modelling with real world applications, supervised by experienced scientists while collaborating with experimentalists and reaching out to industrial partners through conference presentations and journal publications. In this way, the student can expect to develop vital skills for a career in sustainable materials engineering. 

In addition to undertaking cutting edge research, students are also registered for the Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Development (PGCert), which is a supplementary qualification that develops a student’s skills, networks and career prospects. 

Information about the host department can be found by visiting: 

www.strath.ac.uk/engineering/chemicalprocessengineering 

www.strath.ac.uk/courses/research/chemicalprocessengineering/ 

The University of Strathclyde is a socially progressive institution that strives to ensure equality of opportunity and celebrates the diversity of its student and staff community. Strathclyde is people-oriented and collaborative, offering a supportive and flexible working culture with a deep commitment to our equality, diversity and inclusion charters, initiatives, groups and networks. 

We strongly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnicity, women, LGBT+, and disabled candidates and candidates from lower socio-economic groups and care-experienced backgrounds.