Supervisory Team: Monica Ratoi, Brian Mellor
Project description
An Industrially Sponsored Project
The reduction of carbon emissions which contribute to climate change requires novel technologies for green energy production and use e.g. wind turbines, hydrogen energy, electric vehicles etc. These raise new challenges for lubricated tribological parts (rolling element bearings, valves etc) which apart from being subjected to high contact pressures, the bearing material needs to resist hydrogen embrittlement and the lubricant must resist degradation. This study will investigate the influence of bearing material composition/type, lubrication and operating conditions on preventing premature failure of bearing steels due to the ingress of atomic hydrogen inadvertently produced at the tribological contact. Although promising materials and classes of lubricants exist, they have not been widely adopted mainly due to the limited methods available to characterise their performance in tribological contacts under specific operating conditions. The proposed research will address these challenges by using novel state-of-the-art methods for investigating rolling contact fatigue, hydrogen embrittlement and the role of bearing materials and lubricants. By understanding the mechanism of this process and how it is influenced by various factors, an informed selection of materials and lubricants will be a deliverable, thus enabling superior energy savings and enhanced fatigue life for the novel green technologies.
This project, supervised by world-class academic and industrial experts in Materials and Lubricants for green technologies is based at the National Centre of Advanced Tribology UK, University of Southampton and will help you achieve a unique set of skills and expertise to become a world’s leading specialist in the tribology of emerging green technologies. Recent UK government energy updates have emphasized the acute need for this highly specialized training. This is also an excellent opportunity to publish your research in high impact factor journals.
If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Monica Ratoi, nCATS Research Group, Email: [Email Address Removed], Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 160.
Entry Requirements
Prospective candidates are required to have a first class or 2:1 degree (if the candidate has both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, this applies to both) in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy, Material Science or Chemistry
Closing date: applications should be received no later than 31 December 2021 for standard admissions, but later applications may be considered depending on the funds remaining in place.
Funding: UK/EU Tuition Fees and a stipend of £15,609 tax-free per annum for up to 3.5 years, an enhanced stipend maybe available for the right candidate.
How To Apply
Applications should be made online. Select programme type (Research), 2021/22, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “PhD Engineering & Environment (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Monica Ratoi
Applications should include:
Curriculum Vitae
Two reference letters
Degree Transcripts to date
Apply online: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/how-to-apply/postgraduate-applications.page
For further information please contact: [Email Address Removed]
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