Diffusiophoresis: microrobotic propulsion at University of Birmingham on FindAPhD.com

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Dr T Montenegro-Johnson, Dr D.J. Smith Applications accepted all year round Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Birmingham United Kingdom

About the Project

Artificial phoretic microswimmers, such as Janus particles, use chemical reactions of a solute "fuel" catalysed at their surface in order to self-propel. Such propulsion entails no moving parts, and is highly suited to the miniaturisation required for micro-scale robots for a range of industrial applications, including directed cargo transport and assembly. Phoretic swimmers exhibit a wealth of interesting individual and group dynamics, such as phase-separation, crystallisation, and spontaneous collective motion of chemically-isotropic particles. This dynamics is not user prescribed, but rather results from the rich coupling of chemical, hydrodynamic, and confinement effects. In this project, the student will employ and develop a combination analytical and numerical techniques to model and optimise designs of phoretic microswimmer. They may also be an opportunity to undertake laboratory work in addition to the theoretical study, should a suitable candidate apply. UK students requiring a scholarship should apply before 31st Jan 2017 for an October start.

Funding Notes

This research project is one of a number of projects at this institution. It is in competition for funding with one or more of these projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be awarded funding. The funding is only available to UK citizens who are normally resident in the UK or who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more.

Non-UK Students: If you have the correct qualifications and access to your own funding, either from your home country or your own finances, your application for this project will be considered.

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Diffusiophoresis: microrobotic propulsion

University of Birmingham School of Mathematics