Additive Manufacturing of Polymer Composites for Multifunctional Materials

The composites centre is a leading institution for synthesis, processing and characterization of polymers and composites materials. The research activities are in the areas of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Polymer Chemistry focusing on different classes/aspects of materials. The work often encompasses synthesis, characterisation and mechanical/ electrical properties measurements with a potential for various applications. Environmental aspects are also an important part of the research activities.

The successful candidates will have the opportunity to work with the industrial partners, external collaborators and a team of researchers at the Centre in collaboration with the Surface Engineering and Nanotechnology Institute at Cranfield University, aiming to synthesise and manufacture sustainable and functional polymer composites materials for applications ranging from automotive to aerospace .

The aim of this research is to investigate the use of different innovative materials targeted for specific applications as mentioned in the above defined projects and beyond. The automotive, aerospace, electronics, oil and gas industries aims to use more green and environmental friendly materials from sustainable sources for such applications. The research aims to extend in this direction via synthesis and surface engineering of different materials depending upon the targeted applications. In addition to synthesis and surface engineering, the project will also involve use of carbon nanomaterials (Graphene/CNTs), processing, manufacturing and mechanical (tensile, flexural, and impact properties), thermal (TGA/DSC/DMA/TMA), electrical properties evaluation etc of the resulting functional composites materials.

Successful candidates will be involved in an intense three year PhD research via materials synthesis; characterization and mechanical/ electrical properties evaluation and the comparison of developed materials properties with existing state of the art materials for numerous applications.

The PhD candidates will be expected to work with the rest of the team at the Centre and collaboratively with the project’s industrial partners, and to publish the work in high impact materials journals.