PhD Studentship in Tribology/Metal Forming and Materials Modelling Next Generation Patterned Steel Floors for Best in Class Slip Resistance Performance – Industrial CASE with TATA STEEL

Applications are invited for a research studentship in the field of “Next Generation Patterned Steel Floors for Best in Class Slip Resistance Performance”, leading to the award of a PhD degree. The studentship will be based in the Tribology and the Metal Forming and Materials Modelling groups in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London. It will be supervised by Prof. Daniele Dini and Professor Jianguo Lin as well as an industrial expert, Dr Bin Xiao from Tata Steel. The studentship is for 4 years starting in October 2024 and will provide full coverage of standard tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of approximately £24,000. This studentship is funded by an EPSRC Industrial Cooperative Awards in Science & Technology (CASE) and industrial partner Tata Steel UK.  The Tribology and the Metal Forming and Materials Modelling groups are vibrant, world-leading research groups with unparalleled experimental and modelling equipment facilities.

It is well known that slips and trips are the most common cause of injuries at work and therefore subject to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) consideration. Tata Steel UK is a product leader in the UK market for patterned steel floor plates. The dense pattern of studs on as rolled steel floor plates can provide outstanding slip resistance in both dry and wet conditions at all angles and allows plates/thick strips to be used in any direction. They are typically used in stairways (good bendability), walkways, lifts, platforms and bridges, and offering superior slip resistance. However, the fundamental mechanisms and important factors (stud geometry, roughness, conformance to shoe sole standards,…etc.) determining slip resistance under different conditions are not well understood; lack of fundamental knowledge hinders the development of new disruptive solutions in this space.

The main objectives of this project are to determine and rank important parameters controlling slip resistance of floorplate, as well as generate novel pattern designs with enhanced slip resistance performance. This will be achieved by combining fundamental understanding of tribological interactions and innovative surfaces and materials design and processes. The main outcome of this research programme will be the development of tools and methods for the selection of new geometrical patterns that could be considered for the next generation of patterned steel floor plates. This technology will also be applied to other Tata Steel UK products that require enhance slip &/or wear resistance performance. We will target the development of new geometrical patterns for products for specific applications through the development of advanced physics- and data-driven models, as well as laboratory tests and current industrial standards for validation. This will lead to new design tools and standard of broad applicability.

You will be an enthusiastic and self-motivated person who meets the academic requirements for enrolment for the PhD degree at Imperial College London. You should hold or expect to obtain a First-Class Honours or a high 2:1 degree at Master’s level (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, another branch of relevant engineering, Materials, Physics, Chemistry or a related science. We expect you to have an enquiring and rigorous approach to research together with a strong intellect and disciplined work habits. An interest in developing modelling and simulation methods and the application of machine learning techniques for the discovery of new engineering solutions is essential, as are good team-working, observational and communication skills.

To find out more about research at Imperial College London in this area, go to:

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/tribology/

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/metal-forming/

http://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanicalengineering

For information on how to apply, go to:

http://www.imperial.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/study/phd/how-to-apply/

For further details of the post contact Prof. Daniele Dini, [Email Address Removed] or +44 (0)20 75947242. Interested applicants should send an up-to-date curriculum vitae to Prof. Dini. Suitable candidates will be required to complete an electronic application form at Imperial College London in order for their qualifications to be addressed by College Registry.

Closing date: until post filled