Self-Propelled Dropwise Condensation for High Efficiency Heat Exchange in Industrial Systems (Advert Reference: RDF21/EE/MCE/PARSAMaria)

Dropwise condensation (DWC) is an important topic of interest to diverse scientific communities including energy, materials, and engineering due to the fast-growing demand for enhancing heat and mass transfer in domestic and industrial applications such as power generation, water desalination, air conditioning and thermal management.

In the past decade, much attention has been paid on the design of superhydrophobic surfaces capable of continuous removal of drops from surfaces. Despite this, it remains challenging to develop scalable and durable surfaces for sustainable and efficient DWC in industrial conditions. This project will address current DWC research problems in heat transfer, both fundamental issues and industrial applications. The project will develop robust micro-engineered surfaces capable of self-propelled DWC (e.g. the condensate forming on surface will immediately start moving, thus refreshing surface) potentially shedding most fluids to achieve highly efficient DWC, resulting in significant energy savings.

Key technologies used in this research project are:
• Design: AutoCAD, SolidWorks
• Surface fabrication: wet chemistry and micro-structure patterning
• Materials characterisation: Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
• Heat transfer experiments: Optical microscopy, flow condensation and fog-harvesting tests
• Simulation: CFD (COMSOL, Ansys Fluent)

Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering at Northumbria University is seeking to recruit a highly motivated and talented PhD student who will be joining the lively cohort of PhD researchers and experts, with access to excellent research facilities across the university and at our collaboration partners. The student will work within an interdisciplinary supervisory team whose research focuses on wetting, phase-change heat transfer (Dr Maria Maryam Parsa and Dr Alexandros Askounis (University of East Anglia)) and wettability configuration via surface micro-structuring and special coating (Dr Yifan Li).

Training and Skills Development:
The student will be trained in state-of-the-art facilities for the fabrication and characterisation of the surfaces and heat transfer efficiency measurements in both Northumbria and East Anglia Universities. The position also offers opportunities to engage in teaching activities and to mentor bachelor and master students.

For informal enquiries about the post, please contact Dr Maria Parsa ([Email Address Removed]).

Eligibility and How to Apply:
Please note eligibility requirement:
• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]) in mechanical/chemical engineering, material sciences, energy, or closely related subjects. Fundamental knowledge of thermofluid sciences, phase-change processes and micro/nanoscale characterisation will be desirable; or a Masters (preference for Merit or above) and/or experience in one or more of the above research areas will be an advantage; or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
• Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/

Please note: Applications that do not include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words (not a copy of the advert), or that do not include the advert reference (e.g. RDF21/EE/MCE/PARSAMaria) will not be considered.
Deadline for applications: 29 January 2021
Start Date: 1 October 2021
Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community.