Rheology of complex suspensions for oral health products

PhD studentship on Rheology of complex suspensions for oral health products, - Ref:1563827

UCL Department / Division: Mechanical Engineering
Duration of Studentship: 3 Years
Stipend: £16,057 per annum

Vacancy Information

This studentship provides an opportunity of 3-year study program combining in UCL's Department of Mechanical Engineering.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at UCL has an outstanding international reputation in research on energy and the environment, marine engineering and naval architecture and engineering for medical applications, with strong research collaborations with industry and universities in the UK, North America, Asia and the Far East and has excellent research and teaching facilities.

Studentship Description

Complex suspensions comprising micro/nanoparticles and/or polymers are encountered in plethora of chemical and (bio)pharmaceutical formulations and have wide ranging industrial impact. Understanding the flow behavior of such suspensions is a key to improvements and innovations for a diverse range of products, such as toothpastes, paints, food and drug delivery, and to process design and manufacturing. Through the current PhD studentship, we seek to investigate the non-Newtonian fluid mechanics and rheology of non-aqueous complex formulations with relevance to oral health and care products. From fundamental rheology to flow visualization and diagnostics experiments, the project offers an opportunity for broad ranging training and skill development for the student.

The studentship is part of an EPSRC project on Complex ORAL health products (CORAL): Characterisation, modelling and manufacturing challenges. The aim is to introduce new fundamental insights into complex oral health formulations, using as an exemplar non-aqueous pastes, and to overcome the related manufacturing challenges. The project is a collaboration between the UCL Departments of Chemical and Mechanical Engineering and of Mathematics and harnesses the synergy between experts on mathematical modelling, numerical simulations and advanced experimentation at nano, micro and process scale. The project is supported by GSK, Xaar and the Centre for Process Innovation. The current studentship will be focused on experimental research and the student will also have an opportunity to engage with scientists from our industry partners.

Person Specification

The candidate should have or expected to obtain an excellent first degree in Mechanical/Chemical/Materials Engineering or Physics. Specific interest in or previous work on rheology, fluid mechanics, flow diagnostics and quantitative imaging would be an advantage but not mandatory. Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a team is required.

Eligibility
Funding requirements dictate only UK and EU passport holders are eligible to apply.
Enquires/applications that do not meet this eligibility criterion will not receive a reply.

Applications for the post can be discussed directly with Dr. Manish Tiwari and formal applications made via www.PRISM.ucl.ac.uk.

Contact name: Dr Manish K. Tiwari

Contact details: [Email Address Removed]

UCL Taking Action for Equality

Closing Date: 31 Jul 2016

Studentship Start Date: TBC

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