Computational study of high-solid-content dispersions

High-solid-content dispersions of solid particles of size about 1-50 microns in a liquid phase (HSCDs) occur ubiquitously in industrial applications, from cement and ceramic pastes to catalyst washcoats, ink, paints and foods. The reliable and efficient processing and manufacture of these diverse products presents ‘grand challenges’ to formulation technology because at high solids volume fraction process flow and product behaviour become increasingly unstable and unpredictable. Understanding the rheology and predicting the flow dynamics of HSCDs also represent grand challenges in fundamental sciences and cutting-edge engineering. Our vision is to transform the practice through a tight collaboration of multidisciplinary academic re- searchers and multi-sector industry partners, to yield step changes in control and predictability for a given formulation–to ‘dial up’ required behaviour.

A highly-motivated researcher is sought to join an esteemed team of 5 researchers at postdoctoral and 5 at PhD level, to work in an integrated interdisciplinary environment in the following areas:
• novel and unconventional rheology, e.g., shear reversal and oscillatory and unsteady flows, of HSCDs using experimental and computational techniques; 

• complex geometry flow experiments and simulations, focusing on flow instability and fluctuation statistics; 

• effects of particle shape and size distribution, tribological and other surface modifiers; 

• integration of rheology with industrial processes in paste extrusion, paint, drilling fluid and cement flows. 


This PhD position focuses on computational study and simulations, and is expected to work closely with the experimental team. 
Enthusiastic and self-motivated candidates are sought with a solid background in chemical, mechanical or civil engineering or in physics and applied mathematics. A good grasp of mechanics and experience in particle technology and computational modelling would be advantageous. Applicants must be of outstanding academic merit and hold (or be expected to gain) either a first class honours degree or an MSc with distinction.