New polymeric colour developer for thermally activated colour changing materials at University of Liverpool on FindAPhD.com

This project is no longer listed on FindAPhD.com and may not be available.

Click here to search FindAPhD.com for PhD studentship opportunities

Prof S Rannard No more applications being accepted Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

About the Project

The University of Liverpool (UoL) and the TMC Research are seeking to appoint a suitably experienced and qualified individual to undertake a fully funded three-year doctoral research programme to investigate New polymeric colour developer for thermally activated colour changing materials.

Phenols and their derivatives are ubiquitous in industrial application and have wide ranging uses from agrochemicals and detergents to intermediates for numerous markets such as materials, cosmetics, plasticisers, detergents and inks. The global phenol market is approximately US$20bn (2018) with a predicted value of US$28.4bn by 2023. When considering end-use, bisphenol A is responsible for largest market segment (approx. half of the total global market).

The environmental issues of phenols/bisphenols and formaldehyde create an obvious concern but also generate an extra energy burden to the industry as purification processes, to ensure unreacted and excess phenolic compounds are reduced to acceptable levels, lead to extra costs and associated carbon footprint.

Speciality applications of phenolic compounds including thermally activated colour change systems. These are used by the general public on a daily basis in shopping transactions (as permanent colours on tilt receipts) and as reversible temperature indicating systems in refrigerators, where the colour change use is long lasting. The colour change is generated by the association of a colour former (leuco dye) and a colour developer, generally a bisphenol derivative. The safety of bisphenol compounds, especially the endocrine disrupting activity of Bisphenol A (BPA), is of global concern and this project aims to develop safe alternatives for colour change technologies. Inspiration from naturally occurring phenols will be considered and tailor-made formaldehyde-free and biodegradable microcapsules will be designed to accept the freshly invented colour developer systems.

This PhD is one of 20 industry-led collaborative R&D projects from the Low Carbon Eco-Innovatory. The aim of the project is for you to work toward a PhD at the University of Liverpool through delivering ‘real – life’ solutions to industry. The Centre brings together the expertise, resources and global contacts of University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moore’s University and Lancaster University to create innovative low carbon goods, processes and services developed through collaborative R&D partnerships between local companies in the Liverpool City Region and local universities.

Funding Notes

By joining the centre you will receive a £16,000 tax free stipend per year, with your post-graduate tuition fees paid (at UK/EU rate), International Students will only receive fees to the value of the UK/EU rate and will need to make up the difference (£19,000). The Centre is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund. Please visit www.liverpool.ac.uk/environmental-sciences/working-with-business for more information on the centre.

Application details:
To apply for this opportunity please email [Email Address Removed] quoting UoL-LCEI-2563 in the email subject with:
• 2 page CV
• 2 page expression of interest

References

TMC Research ,is a subsidiary of TMC HAllcrest. TMC Hallcrest, a family owned business founded in 1969, is a world leader in Temperature Sensitive Materials which use colour change to give a visual indication of temperature. Specially formulated colour change materials are designed to offer a solution to most temperature measurement problems. TMC Hallcrest strength resides in its ability to cover most temperature measurement matters through catalogue products combined with its ability to work with customers to identify needs with the Research and development team until innovative solutions are built and custom manufactured.
• Extensive range of Standard Products
• Full custom service available
• In house research and Developments team
Within TMC Hallcrest, Chromazone is a range of temperature sensitive Thermochromic Pigments and Inks that change from colour to colourless as the temperature rises. The colour reappears when the temperature is reduced again. Colour changing effects can be varied infinitely by applying Chromazone Pigments over coloured inks and coatings or blending with other transparent colorants.
The Thermochromic effect achieved through the use of Chromazone pigments, inks and coatings enhances the value to an endless variety of products and is a highly attractive eye-catcher. It is a highly effective route to product promotion and differentiation. As well as being a marketing tool, Chromazone can be used for a wide variety of functional applications in the areas of writing instruments, security/safety and anti-counterfeiting. The uses of Chromazone are limited only by the imagination.

The Department of Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry at Liverpool is an international centre of excellence for the chemistry of advanced materials.

The Department’s research interests are many and varied, spanning the entire range of chemistry from fundamental theory through surface science and catalysis to synthetic work at the biological interface. There are strong interdisciplinary interactions both within Chemistry and across the campus, for example in the recently established Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy which features staff from the Departments of Physics and Chemistry tackling topics such as lithium batteries, solar fuels, photovoltaics, thermoelectrics and sustainable chemistry. For more information please visit www.liverpool.ac.uk/chemistry

Where will I study?

University of Liverpool

We are curious problem solvers at the forefront of world-leading research. A hotbed of discovery and innovation, we're committed to addressing some of the toughest challenges in our society, both now and in the future. Join us in the search for answers by pursuing your PhD at the Original Redbrick.

New polymeric colour developer for thermally activated colour changing materials

University of Liverpool The Innovatory