Smart materials and their applications in future engineering (Advert Reference: RDF18-R/MCE/CHEN)

Smart materials are materials exhibiting multi-physics coupling behaviours. So they can be actuated by various physical fields, such as stress field, thermal field, electric field and magnetic field. Many applications have been found in these materials, e.g. sensors, actuators, energy harvesters and cooling systems. The traditional smart materials such as piezoelectric materials usually have small linear coupling. As a result, they can only exhibit very small strain (~ 0.1%) when actuated by physical fields. In contrast, the recent advanced smart materials such as conventional/magnetic shape memory alloys/polymers have much larger strain (10% ~ 800%), more heat conversion, and much stronger couplings like ferro-elasticity, ferro-magnetism and ferro-electricity. These strong couplings usually induce the formations of multi-scale patterns in the materials, which lead to the global nonlinear behaviours.

The primary goal of this PhD project is to understand the relationship between the global nonlinear behaviours and the multi-scale patterns in smart materials by testing and modelling, to propose design guidelines for smart materials and structures, and to explore their applications in future engineering.

Please note eligibility requirement:
• Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
• Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
• Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/

Please note: Applications that do not include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words (not a copy of the advert), or that do not include the advert reference (e.g. RDF18-R/MCE/CHEN) will not be considered.

Start Date: 1 March 2019 or 1 June 2019

Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to improving employment practices for the advancement of gender equality and is a member of the Euraxess network, which delivers information and support to professional researchers.