Recognising the accelerating depletion of natural resources and rampant disposal of valuable goods, my core research focuses on the valorisation of abundant and problematic industrial waste streams; specifically, their conversion into bio-based polymer fillers, functional additives and precursors.
PURE Link
https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/eoin-cunningham
Telephone 02890974206
Research Opportunities
This project has been funded via QUB’s Collaborative Studentship Scheme. The industrial sponsor, Moy Park Ltd are NI’s largest private sector business, employing over 11,000 staff across the UK and Europe food supply chain.
Project Background:
The EU’s Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) is pushing society, both individuals and industry, to prioritise efforts to manage waste and reduce environmental impact. Agricultural wastes represent an enormous reserve of unexploited resources that may provide avenues for economic growth, poverty reduction, and sustainable livelihoods while promoting improved waste management practices. One approach, in line with current UN sustainable development goals, is to utilise these abundant resources to produce value-added products.
Supported by Lifecycle Assessment, this project will utilise waste streams (e.g., chicken paws, wingtips and feathers) from the UK’s leading poultry producer Moy Park Ltd to develop extraction protocols for the removal of key additives (fibrous keratin and collagen) for the creation of 1) novel polymer fillers, functional additives and precursors and 2) collagen additives for a range of industrial applications. The benefit to society and the industrial sponsor is readily apparent. At present disposal of these materials poses huge challenges and cost representing a lost opportunity for added value.
Their use as polymer additives/precursors is a highly novel approach to sustainable manufacturing with the potential to 1) Extend the ‘cradle-to- grave’ value of initial raw materials (prior to waste creation) 2) Reduce the burden on petroleum feedstocks, a finite resource coming under increasing scrutiny and 3) Create novel materials with unique characteristics and functionality for an array of sectors including packaging, cosmetics and biomedical etc.
Alignment:
This research targets a number of priority areas within The National Research Priority Areas 2018 to 2023 supporting: 1) ‘Energy, Climate Action and Sustainability’ by furthering sustainable materials and helping underpin waste management and 2) ‘Advanced and Smart Manufacturing’, helping drive the development and manufacturing of novel materials.
It is also aligned with broader policy objectives of improving the environmental footprint of the agri-food industry (DAERA, NI); the need for a ‘climate smart and environmentally sustainable food system’ (Food 2030); and exploring the opportunities and addressing the risks of introducing plastics with biodegradable properties (EU Action Plan for a Circular Economy 2015).
Key skills required for the post:
Applicants should hold or expect to hold a 2.1 Hons (or equivalent) degree in a relevant discipline such as Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science or in a related field. Students who have a 2.2 honours degree and a Master’s degree may also be considered, but the School reserves the right to shortlist for interview only those applicants who have demonstrated high academic attainment to date.
It is essential that the candidate has an enthusiastic attitude towards undertaking research in the field of polymer alternatives and is willing to travel to both academic and industrial collaborators for placements, training courses and dissemination activities.
Key transferable skills that will be developed during the PhD:
The student will develop key transferable skills in materials science and polymer processing. Specific to the industrial sector the student will build a strong foundation on the latest regulatory issues around packaging and waste management complimented by the commercial perspective of a leading UK agri-food company. Based on the process undertaken throughout the initial PhD supported by Moy Park, the student will have numerous opportunities to present and defend their research to the technical and commercial heads of one of NI’s largest employers.
Supervisory team:
Dr Eoin Cunningham, School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Queen’s University Belfast, [Email Address Removed], 028 9097 4206
Dr Beatrice Smyth, School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Queen’s University Belfast, [Email Address Removed] 028 9097 4318
Dr Garry Lavertry, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, [Email Address Removed], 028 9097 2273
Dr Anne Richmond, Moy Park Ltd.
Guaranteed stipend
For UK domiciled students the value of an award includes the cost of approved fees as well as maintenance support. In academic year 2020-2021 the basic rate of maintenance support for a Research Studentship is £15,285 while the basic rate of maintenance support for a Taught Studentship is £7,643.
Students from European Union countries may be eligible to get their fees paid (but will not be eligible for maintenance support).
Closing Date: 30.6.2021
Public Outreach and Key Achievements
He is currently PI on a £1.1M EIT-Food project developing ‘Alternative Food Packaging Solutions from Agri-Food Waste Streams’ and Co-I on an EPSRC funded (EP/S025545/1) “Advancing Creative Circular Economies for Plastics via Technological-Social Transitions (ACCEPT Transitions)”.
Research Students
Alice Liddell - Investigation and Numerical Modelling of Microplastic Particle Transport in Clean Water Systems (Year 2, UK)
Natasha Hutchings - Development of Comprehensive Transport-Phenomena Based Model for Assisting in Postharvest Management of Fruits and Vegetables (Year 2, UK)
Raquel Ortega Garcia - Natural Fibres with Flame Retardant Properties (Year 3, Spain)
Alumni: Where are They Now?
Associated Research Centre or Institute
Polymer Processing Research Centre
(https://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/PolymerProcessingResearchCentre/)
Advanced Composites Research Group
(https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/acrg/)
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