This project is one of a number that are in competition for funding from the University of Bath URSA competition.
Project
The lack of a suitable, cost-effective and high-performing separation membrane is currently a fundamental roadblock inhibiting the energy-efficient purification of active pharmaceutical ingredients in the pharmaceutical industry in UK, as well as its wider adoption in other chemical separation industries. The development of an effective, efficient and scalable high-performing membrane with a low-environmental footprint, produced using controlled inkjet printing process will significantly contribute to the manufacture of membranes and pharmaceutical purification. The costs of separation and purification processes are expected to be 40-90% of the overall active pharmaceutical ingredient production cost. The success of the proposed project will provide UK with competitive advantages in the fields of advanced materials-based membranes and membrane manufacturing. The innovations will be used by small and medium UK enterprises in different sectors, including pharmaceutical and other companies dealing with chemical separation. This project will lead to the commercialisation of the technology within UK and its global adoption and licensing.
Key innovations in this project involve introducing inkjet printing technology in membrane production, which offers unique advantages such as a rapid, scalable deposition process, good controllability of the process, and the enabling of a uniform distribution of nanomaterials on the membrane surface, making inkjet printing a “game changer” for membrane manufacturing; and demonstration of the scaled-up synthesis of a high performing, molecular precise separation membrane for active pharmaceutical ingredients purification.
Candidate Requirements
Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or good Upper Second Class Honours degree (or the equivalent). A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.
Non-UK applicants must meet our English language entry requirement by February 2023 in order to be considered for funding.
Enquiries and Applications
Informal enquiries are encouraged! Direct these to Dr Ming Xie - [Email Address Removed]
Please make a formal application should via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Chemical Engineering
When completing the form, please identify your application as being for the URSA studentship competition in Section 3 Finance (question 2) and quote the project title and lead supervisor’s name in the ‘Your research interests’ section.
More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website.
Funding Eligibility
To be eligible for funding, you must qualify as a Home student. The eligibility criteria for Home fee status are detailed and too complex to be summarised here in full; however, as a general guide, the following applicants will normally qualify subject to meeting residency requirements:
- UK nationals (living in the UK or EEA/Switzerland)
- Irish nationals (living in the UK or EEA/Switzerland)
- Those with Indefinite Leave to Remain
- EU nationals with pre-settled or settled status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Additional information may be found on our fee status guidance webpage, on the GOV.UK website and on the UKCISA website.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We value a diverse research environment and strive to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We encourage applications from under-represented groups. In particular, we are welcoming applications from candidates with Refugee, Asylum Seeker, or Humanitarian Protection in the UK to our Doctoral Sanctuary Studentship in Engineering and Design.
If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.
The Disability Service ensures that individuals with disabilities are provided the support that they need. If you state if your application that you have a disability, the Disability Service will contact you as part of this process to discuss your needs.
Keywords: Chemical Engineering; Fluid Mechanics; Manufacturing Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Organic Chemistry; Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Polymer Chemistry
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