Developing new sensor for geopolymer

The cement industry is facing the challenge of reducing its environmental footprint while dealing with a continuously increasing demand for this essential material. This has motivated the development of low embedded CO2 non-Portland cements alternatives. Geopolymer is a type of monolithic alkali aluminosilicate gel with high chemical & thermal resistance, and ability to immobilise hazardous cations. It is an emerging sustainable material that has attracted attention in both construction industry and environment industry.

In this proposed PhD project, the successful candidate will develop a new sensor using functional 2D materials that can enable non-destructive in-service performance testing of geopolymer. The successful candidate will have access to the advanced characterization equipment (including XRD, solid-state NMR, ESEM-EDX, Raman spectroscopy) to conduct nanoscale inspection, using the facilities at the Material and Chemical Characterisation Facility (MC²) at UoB.

The successful candidate will have the chance to work in a dynamic team, and to attend/present at high reputation international conferences. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to engage closely with the leading international research communities, such as IoM3, RILEM and ACI.

Successful applicants will ideally have graduated (or be due to graduate) with an undergraduate Masters first class degree and/or MSc distinction (or overseas equivalent). Any English language requirements must be met at the deadline for applications.

Informal enquiries should be directed Dr Xinyuan Ke ([Email Address Removed])

Formal applications should be made via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Civil Engineering. Please ensure that you state the full project title and lead supervisor name on the application form.

https://samis.bath.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app&code1=RDUAR-FP01&code2=0013

A full application must be submitted by the application deadline, including all supporting documents, to enable review.

More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found here:

http://www.bath.ac.uk/guides/how-to-apply-for-doctoral-study/

Anticipated start date: 30 September 2019