About the Project
Duration: Full Time 3 years 6 months Fixed Term
Application deadline: 20th February 2017 (Starting May 2017)
Apply via Deakin University: https://applicantportal.deakin.edu.au/connect/webconnect?_ga=1.218476057.104271128.1481902807
Congratulations on taking your first steps toward a Research Degree as part of the co-tutelle PhD programme. Coventry University – Deakin University (Australia) co-tutelle PhD programme http://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-students/cotutelle-phd-programmes/ offers research students an unparalleled international experience, working alongside world-class researchers across two continents. Co-tutelle students spend time at both Coventry and Deakin Universities. As a result they gain unique exposure to different cultural and scientific environments and substantially increase their employability after graduation.
THE PROJECT
The high strength to weight ratio, corrosion resistance and design flexibility of composite materials make them ideally suited for industrial applications of the 21st century. This increased demand however, has also resulted in a never ending need for improved performance and processability at lower cost. Nowhere is this more evident in the aerospace and automotive industries, which are turning to out of autoclave resin systems to reduce costs through simpler but more reliable and robust processing methods. Out of autoclave resins however, tend to be characterised by poor fracture properties and require modification to achieve satisfactory fracture toughness. Unfortunately, modification tends to reduce processability increasing the risk of poor consolidation and increased void content. This project will develop new polymer matrices for out of autoclave technologies and explore the relationship between void content, consolidation, processability and properties.
Specific activities will include:
-Synthesis and/or development of new polymer matrices with advanced properties for out of autoclave fabrication.
-Explore novel toughening approaches for highly crosslinked matrices.
-Optimise processability and characterise mechanical and thermal properties of composite.
-Use acoustic emission sensors to optimise structure and control variability for toughened and untoughened resin systems.
-Using Acoustic Emission sensors to detect different damage mechanisms within out of autoclave resin from introduced damage.
Research Questions
-How does the use of highly ductile modifiers impact processability via resin transfer moulding?
-Can void content be related to processing resin parameters such as viscosity and rate of cure?
-Can we relate these findings to a real life component?
-Can above findings be quantified through AE sensing technologies?
-How does the mode of damage impact the laminate and its effect upon properties?
-Can such damage levels be quantified through AE sensing technologies and used for intelligent prediction of failure?
LEAD UNIVERSITY
This studentship will be led by Deakin University, with time spent at Coventry University also.
ABOUT THE CENTRES/DEPARTMENTS
Carbon Nexus (Deakin University, Melbourne) http://www.deakin.edu.au/ifm/our-facilities/carbon-nexus is a purpose-built research facility designed to accommodate the diverse needs of international manufacturing organisations that require the cost-effective resolution of carbon fibre-related projects that are strategic and complex. Carbon Nexus incorporates world-first open access infrastructure designed to manufacture carbon fibres, textile pre-forms and composites for developing new technologies, processes and products.
Carbon Nexus provides industry with access to a team of globally recognised high technology materials experts who will deliver the solutions businesses and researchers need to gain a genuine competitive advantage. The suite of equipment available to researchers and industry through Carbon Nexus is unparalleled.
Our research in Manufacturing and Materials Engineering http://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/areas-of-research/manufacturing-materials-engineering/?id=87466 builds on our historic research strengths at Coventry, and adds new research teams through investment and growth. It integrates seamlessly with the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, our flagship collaboration with Unipart Manufacturing.
This area of research will take a holistic approach to fabrication and manufacturing, focusing on the three strands of Materials, Processes, and Products; and underpinned by our expertise in Metrology and Advanced Experimentation.
We aim to be the research partner of choice for manufacturing industry in adding value, effecting knowledge transfer, generating intellectual property, and raising new technologies from concept up through the Manufacturing Readiness Levels.
Our summary research themes:
-Process Control / Product Verification
-Advanced Metrology and Experimentation
-Supply Chain Management
-Materials for Advanced Technologies
-Integrated Product Enhancement
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS
Successful applicants will have:
-A minimum of a 2:1 first degree (second class honours upper division) in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 70% mark in the Project element or equivalent with a minimum 70% overall module average, or
-A Masters Degree in a relevant subject area will be considered as an equivalent. The Masters must have been attained with overall marks at 70%. In addition, the dissertation or equivalent element in the Masters must also have been attained with a mark at 70%.
-The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a prescribed period of study
-Language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).
ELIGIBILITY & APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Application Procedure:
Apply via Deakin University: https://applicantportal.deakin.edu.au/connect/webconnect?_ga=1.218476057.104271128.1481902807
Eligibility:
All UK/EU/International students are eligible to apply that meet the academic requirements, the eligibility criteria can be found here:http://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-students/cotutelle-phd-programmes/
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