Mechanochemical manufacture of defect engineered materials for next generation hydrogen Technology (MechTech)
UoB Supervisor and School:
Dr. Josh Makepeace, Makepeace Group, School of Chemistry
BAM Supervisor and Division:
D. Franziska Emmerling, Department 6 Materials Chemistry
Short Summary:
New hydrogen storage materials (HSM) with enhanced storage capabilities are essential to establish a viable hydrogen energy economy. This project will design and develop next-generation HSMs fit for this purpose using innovative defect engineering strategies, achievable with environmentally benign mechanochemical synthesis routes. Using state-of-the-art synchrotron analytics to monitor mechanochemical reactions in situ, coupled with advanced atomistic simulation, strategies to design HSMs and routes to successfully manufacture them will be identified. Finally, to ensure the new materials are fully sustainable, this project will further develop methodologies to fabricate the HSMs from urban waste streams (including electronic and biomedical waste), thereby establishing mechanochemistry as a cornerstone of modern efforts in circular economy. Through the EU COST action in Mechanochemistry for Sustainable Industry, this project will be supported by complete life-cycle analysis, including a collaboration with the Technion Institute (Israel). The successful student will gain training across energy materials design, advanced material manufacture, materials simulation, and advanced X-ray analytics, making them exceptionally competitive across the global job market.
University of Birmingham (UoB) and the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) PhD Studentships
Level of Study: Doctoral Research
Subject Area: Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Physics
Nationality: UK and German Citizens Only
Deadline for Applying: Closing: 15.05.2023
The University of Birmingham's College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (UoB EPS) and the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung, BAM) are offering co-funded PhD studentships, giving PhD candidates in chemical engineering, chemistry, and materials engineering subjects the opportunity to study alongside world-leading academics.
BAM is a world-leading centre of excellence for “Safety in technology and chemistry” with responsibility to the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. Uniquely positioned at the interface of science, technology, industry and policymaking, BAM integrates research, assessment and consultation within its five focus areas Analytical Sciences, Materials, Energy, Environment and Infrastructure, providing a crucial contribution to the technical safety of products and processes, development of industry and society.
This studentship is aligned with BAM’s research priorities, providing students with an opportunity to contribute directly to the safety of strategic technologies. Each student will benefit from co-supervision by a senior BAM scientist who will work closely with the UoB academic supervisor to maximise the value of the joint studentship.
Each PhD student will spend 21 months at UoB and 21 months at BAM (located in Berlin). This will allow students to utilize both UoB´s and BAM's formidable facilities, and to enhance the research through access to the holistic network of senior researchers at both institutions.
Value of Award
A fully funded studentship is available for Home/German students on this PhD programme for October 2023 start. During their time at UoB, students will receive a UKRI-rate Doctoral Stipend. During their time at BAM, students will receive a regular work contract.
Eligibility Criteria
The entry requirements are either:
- An upper second-class honours undergraduate degree in a relevant subject.
- An MSc/MRes/MEng in a relevant subject.
How to Apply
Applicants must make their application through the Application Portal. Applicants are encouraged to contact prospective supervisors informally to discuss the project. Applications should include a statement of research interests. Please detail the supervisor and project title under the Research Information section of the application form. For further information on our application process please visit https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/how-to-apply/advertised-phd