About the Project
Duration: Full Time 3 years 6 months Fixed Term
Application deadline: 20th February 2017 (Starting May 2017)
Informal enquiries are essential before application; contact Dr. James M. Griffin to discuss this opportunity: [Email Address Removed]
Congratulations on taking your first steps toward a Research Degree as part of the co-tutelle PhD programme. Coventry University – Deakin University (Australia) co-tutelle PhD programme (http://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-students/cotutelle-phd-programmes/) offers research students an unparalleled international experience, working alongside world-class researchers across two continents. Co-tutelle students spend time at both Coventry and Deakin Universities. As a result they gain unique exposure to different cultural and scientific environments and substantially increase their employability after graduation.
THE PROJECT
The development of self-healing composite materials provides an opportunity to extend their service life or improve reparability of structures by reversing damage either autonomously or via external activation. This project will examine composite materials which need to withstand the harsh conditions of space where extremes of 300 C° to -150 C° are cycled every 45 minutes when passing from sunlight to darkness, in an environment of constant bombardment of radioactive particles. The testing and qualification methods to qualify structures in-situ prior to these materials being used will be examined, along with sensor technology to intelligently characterise where damage has occurred, and the efficacy of healing. Following an initial review of existing self-healing material solutions and non-destructive test methods, the project will progress into simulation of material properties such as fatigue behaviour under extreme conditions, followed by sensor development and signal processing and on to validation of the models with experimental testing.
LEAD UNIVERSITY
This studentship will be led by Coventry University, with time spent at Deakin University also.
ABOUT THE CENTRES/DEPARTMENTS
Our research in Manufacturing and Materials Engineering (http://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/areas-of-research/manufacturing-materials-engineering/)builds on our historic research strengths at Coventry, and adds new research teams through investment and growth. It integrates seamlessly with the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, our flagship collaboration with Unipart Manufacturing.
This area of research will take a holistic approach to fabrication and manufacturing, focusing on the three strands of Materials, Processes, and Products; and underpinned by our expertise in Metrology and Advanced Experimentation.
We aim to be the research partner of choice for manufacturing industry in adding value, effecting knowledge transfer, generating intellectual property, and raising new technologies from concept up through the Manufacturing Readiness Levels.
Our summary research themes:
-Process Control / Product Verification
-Advanced Metrology and Experimentation
-Supply Chain Management
-Materials for Advanced Technologies
-Integrated Product Enhancement
Carbon Nexus (Deakin University, Melbourne)-http://www.deakin.edu.au/ifm/our-facilities/carbon-nexus- is a purpose-built research facility designed to accommodate the diverse needs of international manufacturing organisations that require the cost-effective resolution of carbon fibre-related projects that are strategic and complex. Carbon Nexus incorporates world-first open access infrastructure designed to manufacture carbon fibres, textile pre-forms and composites for developing new technologies, processes and products.
Carbon Nexus provides industry with access to a team of globally recognised high technology materials experts who will deliver the solutions businesses and researchers need to gain a genuine competitive advantage. The suite of equipment available to researchers and industry through Carbon Nexus is unparalleled.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS
Successful applicants will have:
-A minimum of a 2:1 first degree (second class honours upper division) in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 70% mark in the Project element or equivalent with a minimum 70% overall module average, or
-A Masters Degree in a relevant subject area will be considered as an equivalent. The Masters must have been attained with overall marks at 70%. In addition, the dissertation or equivalent element in the Masters must also have been attained with a mark at 70%.
-The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a prescribed period of study
-Language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).
ELIGIBILITY & APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Application Procedure:
Application information can be found in our how to apply section: http://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-students/how-to-apply/. Before completing the application please contact Dr. James M. Griffin [Email Address Removed]- (cc’ing [Email Address Removed]) for an initial informal discussion about the opportunity.
Eligibility:
All UK/EU/International students are eligible to apply that meet the academic requirements, the eligibility criteria can be found here: http://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-students/cotutelle-phd-programmes/
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