Investigating Next Generation, Self-Repairing Tidal Turbine Blades Using CAN Polymers

The successful PhD student will be co-supervised and work alongside our external partner Netzsch Thermal Instruments UK.

This studentship is open to students worldwide *please see funding notes below

Renewable Energy is one of the fastest growing sectors addressing the most important challenges of our age.  Offshore renewables, energy distribution, and the environmental impacts of constructing and decommissioning the infrastructure are some one of the most pressing research themes faced by the UK and beyond.  The Net Zero Maritime Energy Solutions Centre (N0MES) for Doctoral Training is creating the future specialist workforce needed by our industrial partners through PhD projects finding solutions to real-life industrial needs. N0MES offers 4-year PhD studentships for exceptional researchers. With the support of the University of Liverpool (UoL), Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and over 30 maritime energy sector partners, N0MES postgraduate researchers will pursue new, engineering-centred, interdisciplinary research.

N0MES CDT Theme D: Decommissioning/Extension

Tidal stream energy has a massive untapped potential for renewal energy generation. Current technological limitations are largely centred on the turbine blades themselves, particularly their mechanical failure, their maintenance and their propensity for recycling. Currently favoured materials for turbines are composites incorporating epoxy thermosets, which are susceptible to gradual degradation due to the complex multidirectional forces inherent to turbine operation as well degradation associated with the marine environment. Epoxy thermosets also have limited end-of life options. One possible solution to the needs of tidal stream turbines can be found in a new class of polymer known as covalently adaptable networks (CANs or vitrimers). CANs have reversible crosslinking chemistries allowing them to re-heal and to be re-modelled under specific chemical stimuli, extending their lifetime and making them highly amenable to chemical recycling.

In this project you will examine the mechanical properties of a range of model CAN systems beginning with epoxy- and polyester-based polymer networks, which have already been shown to have exceptional promise in wind turbine applications. The student will learn how to synthesise CANs with tailored mechanical properties by working with the group of Prof. Matt Unthank at Northumbria University. Mechanical testing will be carried out a Liverpool in the group of Anders Aufderhorst-Roberts, using novel self-healing tests which use continuous oscillatory shear, to monitor the precise fracture and repair of polymer films under changing mechanical, thermal and chemical environments allowing to the fracture and re-healing process to be monitored in real time. We will also utilise a powerful new technique developed in the Aufderhorst-Roberts group, termed rheodialysis, that allows a sample’s chemical environment to be exchanged, while simultaneously probing mechanic and inducing fracture. This will allow us to mimic the aqueous and ion-rich marine environment and emulate how turbine blade materials break and re-heal under environmentally relevant conditions.

Application Information

We want all our staff and students to feel that Liverpool is an inclusive and welcoming environment that actively celebrates and encourages diversity. We are committed to working with students to make all reasonable project adaptations including supporting those with caring responsibilities, disabilities or other personal circumstances. For example, if you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students Allowance on top of your studentship to help cover the costs of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result. We believe everyone deserves an excellent education and encourage students from all backgrounds and personal circumstances to apply.

Applicant Eligibility

Candidates will have, or be due to obtain, a master’s degree or equivalent from a reputable university in a relevant subject OR a First in a relevant bachelor’s degree. 

Important Application Process

Please submit your application to the University of Liverpool here: https://app.askadmissions.co.uk/AYApplicantLogin/fl_ApplicantLogin.asp?id=liv

Follow the guidance notes here: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/postgraduate-research/how-to-apply/

Candidates wishing to discuss the research project should contact the primary supervisor - see supervisor section at top of page.

Those wishing to discuss the application process should contact CDT Manager, Matt Fulton, at the University of Liverpool [[Email Address Removed]].