Kirigami-Engineered highly conductive Polymer Tapes

The School of Engineering and Materials Science (SEMS) at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) has a vacancy for a three years PhD position, partially funded by industry, and under the academic supervision of Dr Emiliano Bilotti.

This PhD project will explore the opportunities offered by Kirigami – the ancient Japanese art of paper cutting and folding - to tackle two major technological challenges: 1. Develop potentially scalable and continuous production methods to create quasi-3D structures from patterned nanocomposites polymer tapes. 2. Retain functional properties of conductive polymers and polymer (nano-)composites under high strains.

The successful candidate will: 1. Produce and characterise a range of conductive polymer nanocomposites compounds and tapes, 2. Select and implement kirigami cut patterns on polymer tapes, 3. Test the properties (e.g. mechanical, electrical, thermal) of the resulting kirigami-engineered structures, 4. Compare the results against simulations.

This PhD project is mainly experimental but will benefit from close interaction with another PhD project (starting at the same time in SEMS) which will focus on the develop a novel continuum simulation method, able to contemplate the common traits of kirigami-engineered thin and foldable nanocomposites films: cuts, creases as well as sharp inclusions (e.g. nanoparticles). The two PhD projects will work collaboratively and synergistically and become part of a larger research initiative.

Applicants should have, or be about to gain, a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in Materials Science and Engineering or equivalent subjects. Experience in appropriate research techniques including polymer processing, thermal and electrical characterisation, and microscopy is desirable.

The PhD position is full time, expected to start in September/October 2017 and funded for 36 months.

QMUL Research Studentship Details
• Available to Home/EU Applicants only.
• Full Time programme only
• Applicant required to start in September/October 2017
• The studentship arrangement will cover tuition fees and provide an annual stipend for up to three years (Currently set as £16,296 in 2016/17).
• The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
• If English is not your first language then you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6 in Writing and 5.5 in all other sections (Reading, Listening and Speaking).
• Please Note that this studentship is only available to Home/EU Applicants. (See: http://www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk/money/feestatus/ for details)

Supervisor Contact Details:
For informal enquiries about this position, please contact: Dr. Emiliano Bilotti
Tel: 020 7882 7575
E-mail: [Email Address Removed]
Application Method:
To apply for this studentship and for entry on to the Materials Science programme (Full Time, Semester 1 start) please follow the instructions detailed in section 3 of the following webpage:
http://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/subjects/materials/index.html

Further Guidance available via: http://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/applyresearchdegrees/index.html

Please be sure to include a reference to ‘2017 SEMS EB’ to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.

Deadline for applications: 30th June 2017