Disentangle the water-energy nexus by using low temperature heat for water desalination

Climate change is already exacerbating water scarcity bringing uncertainty in the future of the water availability vs. abstraction (water stress), especially in delicate eco-systems. At the same time, Industry highly relies on water. In most of the water-demanding industrial sectors high water demand is co-located with high energy demand (water-energy nexus), similarly to countries that benefit from high solar thermal energy (high energy availability) and at the same need water. The co-location of energy in form of heat and water is an opportunity. 

In your studies, you will research and develop a technology (namely sorption desalination) to use low temperature heat for the production of freshwater by exploiting recent innovations in material science and engineering. You will work in the Emerging Sustainable Technologies Laboratory (ESTech Lab), be part of a world leading research group in sustainable tehcnolgies towards the development of a proof-of-concept super-efficient processes for heat-powered desalination, have access to state-of-the-art equipment including rapid prototyping tools and brainstorm new technological avenues for desalination.

Your studies will be carried out at the Institute for Materials and Processes (IMP) and will include modelling activities supported by experiments. You will attain skills in modelling, design and testing of new desalination concepts.

Funding Notes

Competition funding (tuition fees and stipend) may be available for Home students. In certain circumstances, it may be possible to award this funding to an EU or Overseas applicant.

Home, EU and Overseas students who have secured, or intend to apply for, their own external funding (through scholarship or otherwise) are welcome to apply – please provide details of the funding source in your application.

Applications are also welcomed from all self-funded students.

Eligibility

Undergraduate Honours degree at 2:1 or above (or International equivalent) degree in chemical engineering or chemistry, possibly supported by an MSc Degree. 

Desirable criteria: i) knowledge of thermodynamics of fluid phase equilibria or physical chemistry; ii) basic skills on utilization of one computational tool such as Matlab, Mathcad, Mathematica etc.

Please note, the position may close early if a suitable candidate is found.

To Apply please visit here.