Sensor development to measure viscosity and degradation of engine oil in-situ

We have a vacancy for a bright, enthusiastic and self-motivated PhD student to join the Leonardo Centre in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, working in collaboration with the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Integrated Tribology (iT-CDT) and BP Castrol.

About the Project:
This PhD project is about developing a sensor that can measure viscosity and degradation of engine oil in-situ in a car. Measuring degradation directly would be a method to replace the oil only when necessary and not as instructed by a regular maintenance schedule. This has the potential to save money and resources; however the economics of automotive manufacturing are such that only very low costs systems are viable. In the project we would be exploring the use of reflected sound waves as a basic method for the measurements. This has the potential to be cheap and flexible. However, we need to understand the relationship between lubricant degradation, viscosity, and sound wave interaction.

The project is largely experimental but with some modeling of wave interactions at surfaces. You would be working along side the Centre for Doctoral Training in Integrated tribology amongst a team of dynamic and friendly PhD students and RA’s. The successful applicant will also benefit from some of the enhanced training and development offered through the iT-CDT, providing professional skills training needed for either a successful career within industry or academia.

The project is sponsored by the EPSRC and BP Castrol and qualifies for full fees and an enhanced stipend for 4 years.
Requirements:
• 1st or 2:1 degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Applied Mathematics or other Relevant Discipline.
• Due to EPSRC residency requirements, this project is open only to UK / EU applicants resident in the UK for at least 3 years immediately preceding the start of the course.

Please apply directly through the University online system http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/mecheng/phd/applying

Alternatively contact Kimberley Matthews-Hyde on [Email Address Removed] for further details.